Dubai Community Development Authority and National Bonds sign MoU to boost family financial empowerment

Dubai: In line with Dubai’s strategic vision to empower families and enhance long-term wellbeing, the Dubai Community Development Authority (CDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Bonds Corporation to support the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme and establish a comprehensive framework for family financial empowerment. The partnership aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Year of the Family. The collaboration represents an advanced model of integration between social and economic empowerment, leveraging financial literacy tools and savings solutions to strengthen family stability from the earliest stages of formation. This approach contributes to enhancing quality of life and reinforcing the foundations of a cohesive and resilient society. Under the MoU, both entities will collaborate on a series of strategic initiatives, including up to 12 annual awareness workshops targeting newlyweds and couples preparing for marriage. These workshops will focus on savings, long-term financial planning, and responsible resource management. The partnership will also introduce the Financial Clinic initiative, designed to assess family financial wellbeing and deliver specialised educational programmes that promote responsible financial behaviour and long-term economic sustainability. As part of its support for the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, National Bonds Corporation will provide a savings bond worth AED 1,000 for each newborn from beneficiary families. The initiative reflects a commitment to instilling a culture of savings from an early age and strengthening financial planning as a key pillar of long-term family stability. In this context, Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, affirmed that the MoU builds on the Authority’s approach to developing integrated social frameworks and programmes centred on family empowerment under the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, which recognises the family as the cornerstone of development and sustainability. Her Excellency added: “At the Dubai Community Development Authority, we firmly believe that real investment begins with the family. Through this partnership, we aim to empower families from the earliest stages by promoting a culture of savings and sustainable financial planning, supporting their stability and enhancing quality of life. We are committed to leveraging strategic partnerships, especially with National Bonds Corporation, to develop innovative solutions that contribute to achieving the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and building a more cohesive and sustainable society.” Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, Group CEO of National Bonds, said: “Since the establishment of National Bonds twenty years ago, we have believed that saving is not something you wait for until life settles; it starts the moment life begins. The birth of every child is an opportunity to build a mindset around financial awareness, discipline and forward planning from the very start. “As we step into our third decade, and during the Year of the Family, our partnership with the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme reflects this belief in action. Families are not just users of financial solutions; they are where financial habits are shaped and where wealth is either built or lost. That is why we see early support for families, from the moment a child is born, as one of the most effective ways to create long-term social and economic stability.” He added: “Through this collaboration, we aim to shift saving from being a decision people delay into a simple, everyday habit that grows with the family. This aligns with our leadership’s vision of a society that does not just react to financial challenges, but stays ahead of them.” The partnership also includes the exchange of expertise and data within approved regulatory frameworks to develop data-driven programmes and systematically measure the impact of initiatives. This approach will enhance the efficiency of the social work ecosystem and the effectiveness of developmental interventions. The MoU reflects CDA’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships that serve a sustainable vision and integrate efforts across sectors to advance Dubai’s social development ecosystem. By delivering targeted initiatives that support financial empowerment, family stability and community prosperity, the partnership contributes positively to quality of life and the emirate’s sustainable development goals.