Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Community Cooperative (ADCC), a first-of-its-kind Emirati entity dedicated to empowering members of community by helping them attain self-sufficiency through innovative solutions to challenges in the vital sectors of economy, education, healthcare, services and entertainment, has commenced operations in conjunction with UAE’s Year of the Fiftieth celebrations.  

The uniqueness of this community cooperative is reflected in the creative vision of a group of young Emiratis who are determined to contribute to the inclusive development of the UAE and its people, helping them overcome the challenges that face them. It is the first cooperative dedicated to designing and implementing innovative projects that embrace and promote a societal economy. 

The membership-based community cooperative, open for the very first time to all Emiratis from across the UAE, seeks to pave the way for a participatory framework for its members who will be making profits from the ADCC projects they collectively invest in, which will in turn support societal development. Moreover, members will be able to access prestigious ADCC services while also enjoying the profits of their purchases.

The ADCC was established in 2019 pursuant to Ministerial Resolution by the Ministry of Economy to improve the social and economic situation of its members and serve the community by following the best international practices in the areas of self-sufficiency for itself and the community. 

The ADCC aims to support the realisation of the UAE leadership’s vision of community empowerment by boosting the role and impact of the ‘cooperative model’ and enhancing the principle of active and positive citizenship represented by a close partnership between them and the key national objectives of social stability and wellbeing. The cooperative culture also champions the principle of community contribution and cooperation through a cohesive societal culture applied to several projects that serve members and improve the quality of their lives.

A thriving cooperative society based on authentic Emirati societal culture 
In order to fulfil its mission aimed at building a thriving cooperative society in the UAE, ADCC is focused on promoting cooperative principles across its projects and operations in accordance with the authentic Emirati societal culture represented by values of volunteering, cooperation, equity, gender equality and cross-generational communication.   

ADCC will launch its first project before the end of 2021. The community cooperative has called on citizens across the UAE to become active participants and stakeholders in the nation’s social development process by investing in ADCC’s sustainable social projects on the following link: abudhabicc.ae. 

From society and back to society
HE Ali Al Saloom, Chairman of the Board of Directors, ADCC, underscored that the UAE’s ever-growing success in supporting societal development and wellbeing inspires all community members to contribute to this progress by providing mutually beneficial and innovative solutions. This, he said, was the opportunity created by ADCC for all segments of society to experience rewarding cooperative action that generates from society and gives back to it.

“We wanted the ADCC’s efforts to start from society and then go back to the same society; we wanted to unite community’s efforts and resources to provide investment options, job opportunities and a standard of life that expresses the true power of collective action,” Al Saloom added.

“ADCC’s vision goes beyond the generation of incomes or profits for contributors, or even service delivery to UAE citizens and residents. It upholds noble cultural and social values that are actioned by consolidating the spirit of cooperation embedded in our Emirati heritage. Our vision is also directed towards achieving what was once thought to be impossible – building institutions that not only serve their members, but also entitles them as stakeholders who are equally responsible for their success,” he concluded.