Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, has approved the first youth space in the emirate of Fujairah at the first government entity nationwide. This initiative falls within the Youth Spaces initiative, part of the first package of initiatives and projects of the National Youth Agenda 2031.
The new space, located at the headquarters of the Fujairah Government Excellence Program, aims to provide a stimulating and safe environment equipped with all the resources that enable youth to innovate and actively participate in community development.
Al Neyadi emphasized that empowering youth begins with providing stimulating environments that embrace their energies, and that youth spaces across the country are a fundamental pillar for strengthening national efforts to provide opportunities for growth, learning, and making a real impact that enhances the quality of life for youth and brings them closer to their future.
For his part, Dr. Sulaiman Al Kaabi, Director General of the Fujairah Government Excellence Program, said that empowering youth by launching specialized training programs to prepare young leaders is one of the most important national initiatives, as it will contribute to engaging them in supporting the areas of strategic planning, future foresight, and innovation in the Fujairah government.
He added that the initiative represents an organized framework that enhances youth participation in the economic, social, technological, and leadership sectors, supporting the UAE's vision of making youth key contributors to national economic growth, active participants in society, global role models, leaders in advanced technologies, and ambassadors of Emirati values.
He pointed out that institutions eligible for accreditation under the initiative include the government sector, private companies, and non-profit organizations, provided they are committed to youth development and meet the Foundation's standards.
Sheikha Al Ali, Director of the Youth Spaces Project, explained that the project aims to build trust between the Foundation and youth. She said, "We hope that young people will feel confident and supported simply by seeing the Youth Space logo, as it signifies an environment that embraces their aspirations."
She added that work is underway on future projects, including the development of a national plan for youth spaces, in addition to the development of a smart platform on mobile phones to facilitate identification of the locations of youth spaces spread across the emirate.
During the event, members of the Fujairah Youth Council highlighted the importance of youth spaces and their role in fostering innovation, encouraging active community participation, and empowering youth to contribute to the development of their local environment in a way that reflects their visions and aspirations.
The event concluded with an introductory tour of the Fujairah Government Excellence Program facilities, during which attendees were briefed on the youth facilities within the youth space and how they are used and managed to serve their aspirations and needs, enabling them to positively contribute to building the future of the UAE
