Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA enhances its leadership in social responsibility

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is keen to empower society and is considered one of the leading organisations locally and globally in social responsibility. DEWA strives to become one of the biggest supporters to the integrated and sustainable system of volunteering in the UAE and Dubai through its continuous work to promote volunteering, social cohesion, launching and sponsoring several pioneering humanitarian and volunteering initiatives. DEWA’s pioneering initiatives and volunteering and humanitarian programmes constitute an integral part of its strategy and efforts to serve society.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, once said ‘Our daily businesses and projects should not let us forget about giving to those who need help’. At DEWA, ​​we are keen to launch, and sponsor many pioneering humanitarian initiatives. We have an integrated strategy for volunteering, which represents a civilised approach that stems from the foundations of the UAE. DEWA launches its social initiatives within an institutional framework and an integrated system that includes plans, initiatives, implementation and evaluation, based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), to ensure the sustainability of results,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

Awards

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honoured winners of the National Emirates Award for Humanitarian Work in its ninth session in April 2022. His Highness honoured with the golden fingerprint HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD&CEO of DEWA, in appreciation of his efforts in achieving excellence, promoting scientific knowledge and sustainability.

In recognition of its achievements in community work, DEWA has won many prestigious local and international awards, including the ‘Dubai Al-Khair’ award at the 21st Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP). In 2020, it achieved first place in the Public Sector Category of the 13th Arabia CSR Awards for the 5th year running. DEWA also won three awards in the International Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Awards 2017.

Some CSR initiatives in the first half of 2022

Participating in the Aftir campaign

DEWA sponsored the 10th ‘Aftir’ campaign, an initiative of the Ramadan Aman campaign by the Al Ihsan Charity Association in Ajman. Many DEWA staff volunteered to distribute the meals to families with limited income and people of determination who are sponsored by the Association. Employees used their private vehicles while taking all precautionary measures against COVID-19.

Organising a visit to the Family Village

DEWA organised Ramadan activities for members of the Family Village, in collaboration with Community Development Authority in Dubai. The activities included a Ramadan Suhoor for orphans, supervisors, and volunteers. There were also gift vouchers distributed during the workshops on the conservation of electricity and water, protecting natural resources and adopting a sustainable lifestyle.

Awareness workshops for People of Determination

DEWA organised an interactive awareness workshop at the Dubai Club for People of Determination. DEWA’s team presented information on electricity and water consumption management to the attendees and their families in a simple and fun way. DEWA also organised an interactive workshop in collaboration with the Dubai Club for People of Determination. The workshop aimed to develop the talent of students of determination, including children of DEWA staff. They were encouraged to innovate, create, and unleash their potential and creativity through art.

Expo 2020 Dubai

177 DEWA employees contributed 46,560 volunteering hours at Expo 2020 Dubai. Some of them received the ‘Golden Heart’ award from Expo 2020 Dubai for their hard work during the international exhibition.

Volunteering of DEWA’s employees

Between 2013 and 2021, DEWA launched over 380 social initiatives with its employees registering 145,634 volunteering hours in humanitarian and community initiatives, benefiting 36,514,842 people in the UAE and abroad. In 2021, society’s happiness with DEWA was 94.1%. DEWA promotes social responsibility among its employees and instils a culture of humanitarian work. It also encourages volunteering among its employees and society members at large. Al Mehairi noted that the participation of female employees supports DEWA’s volunteering efforts. DEWA’s female employees participate in several humanitarian activities. In 2021, DEWA’s female employees completed more than 13,300 volunteering hours in 40 social and humanitarian initiatives.

Al Khair Fund

DEWA launched its Al Khair Fund in October 2009. It is a social solidarity programme exclusively for DEWA’s employees. The programme's main objective is to provide financial support to the participating employees whenever they have an urgent or financial need that falls under the approved entitlement.