Abu Dhabi Launches Second Package of Emirati Family Growth Programme ‘Numou’
Six new initiatives to encourage marriage, childbirth and family stability as the emirate strengthens support for Emirati families
AbuDhabi(News Desk):: The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of the second package of its Emirati Family Growth Programme, ‘Numou’, introducing six initiatives aimed at supporting families, encouraging marriage and childbirth, and strengthening the long-term stability and wellbeing of Emirati households.
The programme, approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, reflects the emirate’s continued commitment to placing family wellbeing at the heart of its development priorities.
Launched during the Year of the Family, the second package builds on the first phase of the programme, introduced in 2024, and expands support for Emirati citizens throughout their family journey, from preparing for marriage and starting a family to raising children and achieving long-term stability.
Six Initiatives to Strengthen Emirati Families,
The second package comprises six initiatives designed to address the evolving needs of Emirati families and provide support at different stages of family development.
Among the key initiatives is ‘Ghars’, a programme focused on developing the character of young people from an early age by instilling the values, skills and awareness required to build stable Emirati families in the future.
Another initiative, ‘Ezwatna’, will offer exclusive privileges to large Emirati families with five or more children.
The package will also enhance existing services. Home visits for parents, previously available only to families welcoming their first child, will be expanded to cover all newborns.
In addition, rental assistance for newly married couples will be updated to provide greater financial stability and ease the financial burden on young families, taking into account changes in the property market.
The programme will also establish the ‘Seed’ association, which will work to raise awareness about the importance of marriage and family life, prepare individuals for marriage and encourage individuals, institutions and companies to contribute towards initiatives that support family growth.
Details of the initiatives, eligibility requirements and implementation dates will be announced through the official channels of the relevant authorities according to a phased implementation schedule.
Programme Records Positive Results
Since its launch, the Emirati Family Growth Programme, alongside the Medeem initiative, has contributed to encouraging young Emiratis to marry earlier while supporting the growth and stability of families.
Programme data shows that births among families benefiting from Medeem increased by 9.1 per cent between 2024 and 2026, while the average age of marriage among male participants decreased by 1.6 years.
Marriage registrations also recorded a 16 per cent increase in 2025, reflecting the impact of support and empowerment initiatives for young people preparing to establish families.
Shamis Al Dhaheri: Emirati Family Is the Foundation of Society
His Excellency Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, said the Emirati family represents the foundation of society, and its growth plays a vital role in preserving national identity and ensuring sustainable development.
He said Abu Dhabi views family support as a long-term commitment that begins with preparing young people for marriage and continues by supporting families through every stage of their development.
He added that the second phase of Numou reflects this commitment through a wider range of initiatives designed to respond more effectively to the needs and aspirations of Emirati families.
“Our aim is that when a citizen decides to marry or have children, they find a supportive environment that eases their burden and gives them the confidence and ability to build a stable family that grows and thrives in Abu Dhabi,” Al Dhaheri said.He emphasised that investment in families today represents an investment in Abu Dhabi’s future, noting that the programme will continue to evolve according to families’ needs and the results achieved, with partners working together towards its objectives through 2030.
Hamad Al Dhaheri: More Efficient Services and Greater Impact
His Excellency Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, said the second phase represents a significant development in the programme’s scope and delivery.
He explained that the new package builds on the results of the first phase and a continuous assessment of the changing needs of families, translating these findings into more targeted, integrated and measurable support initiatives.He said the department’s priority is to ensure readiness for implementation, strengthen coordination among relevant authorities and use data to provide a smoother and more efficient experience for beneficiaries.
This approach will help reduce procedures and the time required between submitting applications and receiving support.He added that the success of the initiatives would be measured by their actual impact on beneficiaries, with continuous monitoring and feedback helping identify challenges early and improve service delivery.
Abu Dhabi Housing Authority Highlights Importance of Family Stability
His Excellency Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said the approval of the second package reflects the wise leadership’s commitment to the wellbeing and stability of Emirati families.
He noted that the initiatives demonstrate the importance of coordinated national efforts to support and empower families, respond to their needs and improve their quality of life.He added that Abu Dhabi Housing Authority places Emirati families at the centre of its priorities and continues developing an integrated housing system that takes their needs into consideration and supports their long-term stability.
Ma’an Encourages Community Participation in Family Development
His Excellency Mohamed Al Balooshi, Acting Director-General of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, said the Emirati Family Growth Programme provides opportunities for community members, private-sector organisations and third-sector institutions to contribute towards supporting family growth.
He stressed that supporting families is a shared responsibility that requires combining resources, expertise and efforts to create a positive impact across society.He added that Ma’an works to direct social contributions towards priorities closely connected to family life and build partnerships that enable different sectors to play an effective role in achieving the programme’s objectives.
Through this collaboration, innovative initiatives can be developed to support families at every stage of their growth while expanding the positive impact of community participation on Abu Dhabi’s future.
Commitment to Long-Term Family Wellbeing
The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi will oversee the implementation of the second package in cooperation with relevant government entities, with clearly defined responsibilities to ensure that the initiatives operate in an integrated manner and remain accessible to beneficiaries.
Further details about each initiative, eligibility criteria and commencement dates will be announced through the official channels of the responsible entities as implementation progresses.
The Emirati Family Growth Programme was launched in 2024 under the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy to encourage marriage and childbirth and support the growth and stability of Emirati families.
The department, together with its partners, will continue evaluating the programme’s achievements and developing its initiatives to ensure sustainable benefits for families and the wider community across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.-END-
