Looking for how or where to volunteer in the UAE? Want to support the spirit of Ramadan and give back to the community? An Expo volunteer seeking a new challenge?

If you want to make a difference in the UAE, there are some great causes you can support by volunteering your time. If you’re wondering where to volunteer in the UAE, here’s our guide to where to volunteer in the UAE, from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and beyond.

Where to volunteer in Dubai

Al Noor

Where to volunteer in the UAE: Man holding football for young boy in wheelchair

Al Noor works with people of determination so they can have the same opportunities as everyone else through professional training and care. The organisation wants people of determination to realise their potential and integrate well into the wider community. You can sign up to volunteer with children or for corporate volunteering.
Al Noor, alnoorspneeds@alnoorspneeds.ae (04 340 4844).

Dubai Autism Centre

Where to volunteer in the UAE: woman taking photo with girl and man

Thinking about where to volunteer in the UAE that focuses on autism? Anyone with an interest in autism and social work can sign up to volunteer at the Dubai Autism Centre. Compassion, kindness, energy and dedication are the only qualities you’ll need because the centre accommodates all skill levels. You can choose to volunteer for one of three departments: Direct Student Interaction, Fund Raising Department and Annual Events Participation.
Dubai Autism Centre, dubaiautismcenter.ae (800 288 476).

Dubai Cares

Where to volunteer in the UAE: Two children smiling

The UAE-based global philanthropic organisation is a long-term advocate of children’s rights. If you are looking to volunteer internationally, Dubai Cares has had some amazing global opportunities in the past in countries like Senegal and Nepal. If you have the time, you can really make a difference.
Dubai Cares, dubaicares.ae.

Emirates Red Crescent

Want to get involved, but thinking about where to volunteer in the UAE? If you’re looking for a community service volunteering opportunity, then the UAE Red Crescent is a great place to start. Sign up for their extensive volunteering programme if you are interested in helping people, health care, caregiving, first-aid or the like.
UAE Red Crescent, emiratesrc.ae (800 733).

Make A Wish UAE

A local chapter for the internationally recognised organisation, Make A Wish UAE helps fulfil the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases. You can join their quest to bring joy to patients by signing up as a volunteer to become a wish granter, office worker, translator, fundraiser, speaker, or event staff.
Make A Wish UAE, makeawish.ae (02 666 5144).

Pink Caravan

A United Arab Emirates-based initiative to raise awareness of the importance of screening for breast cancer and to provide facilities for the early detection of, treatment for and recovery from the condition. You can sign up to become a volunteer and help them spread awareness. If you’re wondering where to volunteer in the UAE, this is one of many great options.
Pink Caravan, pinkcaravan.ae(06 506 5542).

SmartLife Foundation

A not-for-profit organisation working for the betterment of blue collar workers. Among their many projects are mentoring and educational scholarships to children of blue collar workers; reading camps; programmes on sports, singing, dancing, yoga; free health check-ups; and helping connect unemployed blue collar individuals to job opportunities in the country. For optimum use of time and resources, volunteers are asked to specify which projects would be most interesting when applying.
SmartLife Foundation, smartlifefoundation.org.

Where to volunteer in Abu Dhabi

Emirates Nature-WWF

For those who care about the future of our planet, the Emirates Nature-WWF offers a myriad of ways to get involved. You can help raise funds for their conservation projects in the UAE using their fundraising guide with ideas and instructions, join their youth community to explore nature around you, and learn how to reduce your carbon emissions with the free workshops. There’s plenty to get involved with, all you have to do is ask.
Emirates Nature-WWF, emiratesnaturewwf.ae.

Emirates Red Crescent

If you’re looking for a community service volunteering opportunity, then the UAE Red Crescent is a great place start in Abu Dhabi as well as Dubai. Sign up for the wide-ranging volunteer scheme and contribute time and skills across health care, caregiving, first-aid and more.
UAE Red Crescent, emiratesrc.ae (800 733).

Ramadan 2022: Meal distribution

As part of this year’s Ramadan campaigns, volunteers are needed at Fatima College of Health Sciences to pack meals for distribution, distribution of meals at traffic lights, and individuals to take photographs on site. The team requires 660 volunteers, so there’s a good chance that a spot will be available. You should be between 16 to 70 years old and be proficient in English and Arabic.
Until Sat Apr 30, 2pm-7pm. Fatima College of Health Sciences – Traffic Lights (050 338 7450).

Make A Wish UAE

Wondering where to volunteer in the UAE? A local chapter for the internationally recognised organization, Make A Wish UAE helps fulfil the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases. Sign up as a volunteer wish granter, office worker, translator, fundraiser, speaker, or event worker, and take pride in helping to spread joy when it is needed most.
Make A Wish UAE, makeawish.ae (02 666 5144).

Pink Caravan

UAE Dolphin Project

Wondering where to volunteer in the UAE outdoors? With accessible stretches of the coastline in Abu Dhabi, you can help benefit the local marine environment and dolphin population. If you are passionate about life under water and have some spare time, this is the organisation for you. You can sign up to be a general volunteer and be a part of one-off activities such as public events or field work, or you can sing up to be a permanent volunteer and join their core team with a minimum commitment of three to six months and between five to ten hours per week.
UAE Dolphin Project, uaedolphinproject.org/volunteering.