Dubai: In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Law No. (12) of 2026 concerning the Community Development Authority in Dubai.

The Law states that the Authority’s objectives include the regulation and
development of Dubai’s social sector to enhance sustainable community
development and improve social services. It also aims to organise service delivery,
ensure protection and integration of vulnerable groups, and promote the social and
financial empowerment of citizens. In addition, the Law seeks to strengthen social
cohesion and encourage community participation and social responsibility.
The Law defines the Authority’s role in regulating and developing the social sector in
Dubai. Its responsibilities include setting social policies and strategies, proposing
relevant legislation, and overseeing licensing and regulation of social organisations
and professionals.

It also covers organising volunteer work, ensuring access to social services,
supporting the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups of citizens and
their families, and developing an integrated system for the protection of vulnerable
groups, especially children and people of determination. In addition, the Authority
develops integrated protection systems, strengthens family and social cohesion,
establishes community centres, and builds partnerships to improve social services.

Care of Minors and Persons with Limited Capacity
The Law also governs the care of minors, persons without legal capacity, and
persons with limited legal capacity. The Community Development Authority is
responsible for providing social services to them, based on decisions issued by
judicial or competent authorities.

Its role includes monitoring their living conditions, ensuring their welfare and access
to social, health, educational, and recreational needs, and securing appropriate
protection and care, including family or institutional care. It also represents them
before relevant entities, safeguards them from unlawful practices, and places those
under its care in approved social or healthcare facilities when required.
Low-income individuals

The Law governs matters concerning low-income individuals. The Community Development Authority, in accordance with criteria approved by the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai through a resolution issued for that purpose, is responsible for defining and classifying low-income individuals for the purposes of implementing the provisions of the Law. It also conducts periodic reviews of the criteria used to define low-income individuals in light of economic and social indicators and submits appropriate recommendations to The Executive Council of Dubai for approval.

Social Observatory
The Law establishes a Social Observatory within the Authority’s organisational
structure, in cooperation with relevant entities, to study social phenomena in the
emirate, collect and analyse related data, and anticipate trends to enable early
intervention. It focuses on identifying causes, assessing impact, and addressing
negative phenomena to mitigate their effects on society. The Observatory also
develops a comprehensive social database covering all segments of society,
particularly vulnerable groups. Relevant entities are required to provide the data and
information needed to support its functions and objectives.

Unified System
The Law also establishes a unified system to manage social and humanitarian cases
requiring social services across the Emirate, in coordination with relevant entities, to
ensure integrated and comprehensive support. The Authority uses the system to
assess and follow up on such cases and coordinate service delivery to ensure
access to essential services and social empowerment.

It also requires local government entities and service providers to use the system,
establish the electronic links necessary for its operation, and provide all necessary
data and information to enable its establishment and management in accordance
with the Authority’s standards.

Community Development Fund
The Law establishes a “Community Development Fund” within the Authority, with
revenues allocated to provide financial support to eligible groups and to fund social
projects and services in the emirate. The Fund aims to support social development in
Dubai, strengthen social cohesion and stability, and provide protection and care for
the most vulnerable groups through cash and non-cash assistance, including
emergency aid during disasters, crises, and other exceptional circumstances.

It also supports vocational training programmes for unemployed individuals to help prepare them for the labour market, improves quality of life and living standards for beneficiaries, and enhances their role in society. In addition, it promotes partnerships with the private sector and encourages companies, institutions, and individuals to contribute to funding community development programmes.

The Law replaces Law No. (8) of 2015 concerning the Community Development
Authority in Dubai, and repeals Law No. (15) of 2020 regarding the transfer of certain
responsibilities of the Endowments and Minors’ Affairs Foundation to the Community
Development Authority in Dubai. 

Existing decisions and regulations issued under Law No. (8) of 2015 shall remain in
force to the extent that they do not conflict with the new Law, until replaced by new
decisions and regulations.

Any provisions or legislation that conflict with the Law stand annulled. The Law is
effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.