‘Young Arab Pioneers’ initiative commences today in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The Arab Youth Center is preparing to host the 4th edition of its flagship ‘Young Arab Pioneers’ initiative starting today (Sunday), in collaboration with Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Emirates Foundation. The event will convene programme members, entrepreneurs, investors, and strategic partners from across the Arab world.

Taking place from September 14 to 19, the initiative aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial presence of Arab youth globally by highlighting inspiring stories with notable societal impact. It aims to connect participants with a network of entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers, facilitating access to funding, idea incubation, while expanding partnerships between the public and private sectors to empower and further develop youth-led projects.

Skills workshops and business development

The initiative kicks off with an interactive introduction session, followed by a welcome address from the leadership of the Arab Youth Center. The agenda then continues with a series of interactive workshops focused on developing presentation and entrepreneurial storytelling skills. These workshops are designed to enable participants to showcase their projects to investors and partners in a way that reflects the feasibility of their projects and enhances their chances of securing support. The workshop also covers strategies for building effective messages, techniques for interactive presentations, and smart data utilization tools for project pitching.

The programme includes a specialized workshop on designing and developing business models, offering youth a practical opportunity to revisit the structures of their projects and develop clearer, more scalable plans. This is accompanied by mentoring sessions led by experts who provide participants with practical advice to strengthen their abilities in resource management, tackling challenges, and developing innovative solutions.

The agenda also features field visits to a number of leading entities in the UAE’s entrepreneurial and innovation sector, where participants will meet private-sector representatives in youth dialogue sessions. These sessions provide a platform for discussion, knowledge exchange, and expanding networks, thereby enhancing opportunities for collaboration and partnerships among entrepreneurs, partners and experts.

Honouring pioneers and innovators

In partnership with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, the Arab Youth Center will host a ceremony at the Academy’s headquarters to honour pioneers, as part of efforts to empower youth, reinforce their role as contributors to economic and social development, and highlight success stories that inspire future generations. The ceremony will also feature the signing of Memorandums of Understanding with the Center’s partners, strengthening strategic collaborations that support youth ambitions and transform their ideas into impactful and sustainable projects.

A platform built on youth visions and aspirations

The Arab Youth Center serves as a leading regional platform dedicated to empowering young people, enhancing their capabilities, and refining their skills by launching a variety of programmes and initiatives that align with their aspirations and address their needs across different fields. The Center strives to provide an enabling environment for creativity and innovation, giving young talents the opportunity to become true makers of the future.

Recently, Education Interface has announced the landmark success of the inaugural edition of the National Youth Finance Pioneers (NYFP) programme, developed under its initiatives in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and with the support of the Ministry of Education (MoE), and held under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

The programme embodies the vision of the UAE’s leadership to empower Emirati youth to actively contribute to the nation’s comprehensive and sustainable development.

This pioneering national initiative translates the country’s agenda into tangible action by preparing a generation of capable, forward-thinking leaders ready to advance the future economy. Targeting high-achieving Emirati students in grades 11 and 12, the programme aligns with the strategic objectives of Education Interface, FAB, and the MoE in the areas of community empowerment, corporate social responsibility, national talent development, and enhancing the economic and professional readiness of the next generation.

The programme’s distinctive framework combined academic enrichment, leadership, and professional evaluation, and hands-on experience within a real banking environment. It was built upon a rigorous and data-driven selection and assessment process, beginning with a pre-nominated list of over 600 of the nation’s top-performing students, referred by the MOE based on academic merit.