The Community Design for Wellbeing is the first participatory platform for community engagement in the UAE, in partnership with various government and private sector entities.

Established by the National Program for Happiness and Wellbeing, the initiative enables individuals to design solutions to address the challenges hindering wellbeing in the community and enhance the adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle. It also seeks to identify the main challenges that the society is facing in this regard and raise awareness on healthy living. More than 700 people from different segments of the society participated in designing solutions that enhance wellbeing.

The activities highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and committing to physical activity. Discussions focused on designing solutions to boost physical activity and apply the principles of healthy living into the society.

The National Happiness and Wellbeing survey

Under the Community Design platform for Wellbeing, the National Happiness and Wellbeing Programme launched a survey to measure the wellbeing standards of the UAE’s community in seven key sectors which included: community, healthcare, education and human resources.

The survey targeted 10,000 people aged 15 and above. Participants included UAE nationals and residents. There were young people, students, senior citizens, people of determination, unemployed citizens, housewives and working women amongst the participants. They answered 300 questions under three thematic pillars: developed countries, interdependent society and individuals’ wellbeing.

The objective of the survey was to engage individuals to provide solutions that establish the happiness and wellbeing for all the members of the community. The survey came up with the following set of results and indicators that measure the status of happiness and wellbeing in the country:

• 93 per cent of the UAE's population, citizens and residents, were proud to live in the UAE
• 82 per cent individuals were satisfied with government services
• 92 per cent felt safe walking alone at night
• 84 per cent were comfortable with their family relationships
• 88 per cent have good communication skills
• 8 in 10 people believed they live a meaningful life
• 84 per cent of the UAE’s population is optimistic.

The survey results have been communicated to government entities in order to take the necessary measures accordingly. This is led to 700 initiatives all over the UAE to achieve wellbeing projects that promote wellbeing in the country.

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