Registration for the 23rd cycle of the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work has been extended until 31 January 2026, giving individuals and institutions additional time to submit entries amid strong interest from community organisations and volunteer networks across the emirate and beyond.Officials overseeing the award said the decision followed requests from prospective applicants seeking more time to complete documentation and align submissions with ongoing programmes. The extension is intended to widen participation and ensure projects with measurable social impact are not excluded by administrative deadlines.
Launched to recognise excellence in volunteering, the award has grown into a regional benchmark for structured civic engagement, highlighting initiatives that address social welfare, education, health, environmental protection and humanitarian assistance. Organisers say the 23rd cycle places particular emphasis on sustainability, governance and the long-term value created by volunteer-led programmes, reflecting broader shifts in how voluntary work is assessed.
Eligibility spans individuals, teams, institutions and corporate initiatives, with categories designed to capture both grassroots action and large-scale programmes. Submissions are assessed against criteria that include innovation, community reach, continuity, and evidence of outcomes. Independent evaluators review entries through a multi-stage process, combining documentation checks with qualitative assessments to ensure consistency and fairness.
The extension comes at a time when volunteering frameworks in the emirate are increasingly aligned with national development priorities. Community groups have expanded their use of data and impact measurement, while institutions are integrating volunteering into employee engagement strategies and social responsibility plans. Award administrators said these trends have increased the complexity of submissions, making additional preparation time a practical necessity.
Participation has broadened over successive cycles, with entries reflecting a wider mix of sectors and demographics. Youth-led initiatives, women’s associations, professional groups and educational institutions have featured prominently, alongside charities and corporate foundations. Observers note a steady rise in collaborative projects that pool resources across organisations, a model encouraged by the award’s evaluation framework.
Digitalisation has also shaped this cycle. Online registration and submission platforms have been refined to accommodate detailed reporting, including evidence of outcomes and governance structures. While this has improved transparency, it has also raised the bar for applicants, particularly smaller organisations transitioning from informal volunteering to structured programmes. The extended deadline is expected to ease that transition.
Award organisers said the judging process will continue to prioritise credibility and verifiable impact. Projects must demonstrate ethical standards, accountability and respect for beneficiaries, with safeguards against duplication and misrepresentation. Site visits and interviews may be conducted for shortlisted entries to validate claims and understand operational context.
Beyond recognition, the award has functioned as a capacity-building platform. Past cycles have seen shortlisted participants gain access to mentoring, networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, helping to professionalise volunteer management. This has contributed to the diffusion of best practices, such as volunteer training frameworks, risk management protocols and outcome measurement tools.
Community leaders say the extension signals responsiveness to the sector’s needs at a time when demand for volunteer services remains high across social domains. Economic pressures, public health awareness and environmental challenges have all increased reliance on organised volunteering, placing greater importance on programmes that are resilient and well-governed.
Topics
Live News