Sheikh Mohammed Launches Seventh Arab Hope Makers to Honour Unsung Heroes Across the Arab World

Sheikh Mohammed’s call for nominations

He urged citizens throughout the region to put forward men and women who serve others quietly, without chasing fame or recognition. In a statement released on Sunday, he said the initiative would continue to uncover and celebrate those whose generosity inspires positive change.

On his X account he wrote: “Societies thrive on hope. People look forward to a better tomorrow, and young people live with hope for a better future.”

He added: “In every village and city, there are people who have dedicated themselves to the good of humanity, to creating a better life and spreading hope.”

Continuing, he noted: “They do not seek the spotlight or fame, but we seek them out to honour them and bring to light the nobility of their deeds and the beauty of their values in life.”

He concluded with: “Our journey to inspire people, create hope and move societies towards a better future will not stop.”

Nomination process and eligibility

Nominations for the seventh edition can be submitted through the official website, arabhopemakers.com. The prize of Dh1 million will be awarded to the winner of the Arab Hope Maker title in recognition of their humanitarian efforts.

The programme is organised under the umbrella of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and is described as the largest initiative of its kind in the Arab world dedicated to recognising humanitarian and community contributions.

The new edition aims to collect tens of thousands of stories from across the Arab world, highlighting individuals whose work has brought hope to others, alleviated suffering or helped communities overcome challenges.

Eligible candidates include individuals, volunteer groups and non‑profit organisations that have developed humanitarian, charitable or social projects with a demonstrable positive impact. Such initiatives may involve helping vulnerable people, improving living conditions, supporting education, addressing social or economic challenges, or assisting communities facing hardship.

Applicants must have established an innovative project, programme, campaign or initiative that makes a meaningful difference, and the work must be undertaken voluntarily without seeking personal financial gain or public recognition. Nominations can be made by the candidates themselves or by others who believe their contributions deserve recognition.

The initiative seeks not only to honour successful projects but also to shine a light on the people behind them, enabling their work to reach wider audiences and encouraging further community involvement.

Participation history and impact

Sheikh Mohammed launched Arab Hope Makers in 2017 as a means to identify and celebrate individuals working to improve lives throughout the Arab world. The inaugural edition attracted 65,000 nominations, far exceeding its original target of 20,000.

The second edition received 87,000 nominations, followed by 92,000 in the third – the highest total recorded for a single edition in the figures published by the initiative. The fourth edition drew 58,000 nominations, while the fifth gathered more than 26,000 in just one month. The sixth edition logged 15,802 nominations, bringing the cumulative participation since the launch to more than 335,000.

Previous editions have recognised volunteers and humanitarian campaigners active in a broad range of causes, including healthcare, support for vulnerable families and assistance to children facing serious medical conditions.