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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the new cycle of the Arab Hope Makers through a post on X that called for the identification of people dedicated to doing good and creating hope in their communities. The announcement highlighted the need to honour those who work away from public attention to nurture trust in a better tomorrow for young people and society at large. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in the post, “Societies live by hope. People look forward to a better future. Young people live on the hope of a better future.” He added that the journey would not stop at inspiring humanity, building hope and moving communities forward.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which oversees the programme, reported that more than 335,000 nominations have been received since the initiative began in 2017. The first edition surpassed its original target of 20,000 submissions by attracting over 65,000 entries from individuals, volunteer groups and organisations throughout the region. Later cycles maintained strong momentum, with one recent edition drawing more than 26,000 nominations in a single month according to data from the organising body.
Candidates must demonstrate experience in humanitarian or community-focused service, a positive outlook on life and fluency in what the initiative describes as the language of giving, according to details shared in the announcement. No age limit applies to applicants, who may nominate themselves or be put forward by others. The selected Arab Hope Maker receives a prize of AED1 million, with past cycles sometimes extending equivalent awards to additional finalists for a total distribution of AED3 million.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, secretary general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, stated during the previous edition that the programme had uncovered a deep passion for volunteerism and humanitarian efforts across Arab communities. The initiative originated in 2017 when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum posted a creative job advertisement for the role of Hope Maker with compensation of AED1 million. That initial call generated far more interest than anticipated and established the effort as the largest of its kind in the Arab world.
One previous winner from Morocco earned recognition for founding a foundation that delivers free comprehensive care to children born with cleft lips and palates, extending support from birth through adulthood. Such examples of sustained community impact represent the type of contributions the current cycle aims to surface and celebrate. The programme forms part of wider endeavours to promote optimism, volunteer culture and positive change throughout the region.
The launch of the seventh cycle follows the honours event for the sixth edition held earlier in 2026, where multiple prizes were conferred in a ceremony in Dubai. Interest has grown steadily with each iteration, reflecting heightened awareness of grassroots humanitarian work. Nominations for the new cycle are being accepted via the initiative’s official website.
