Qatar Foundation for Social Work Concludes 2025 with Qualitative Achievements and Looks Ahead to 2026 with Strategic Plans to Strengthen Sustainable Social Impact
Qatar Foundation for Social Work concluded 2025 with a distinguished record of qualitative achievements, reflecting clear institutional progress and the continued maturation of the social work ecosystem. This advancement was driven by a strategic approach grounded in partnerships, capacity building, strengthened governance, and the expansion of sustainable social impact, in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the State’s broader social and human development priorities.
Throughout the year, the Foundation reinforced its role as a national umbrella for social work by enhancing integration among its affiliated centers, expanding its network of local, regional, and international partnerships, and aligning social programs with national priorities and international commitments. It continued to emphasize individuals and families as the cornerstone of social policy and a primary driver of community development.
In 2025, the Foundation signed several cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with national, sports, and cultural entities, as well as value-based initiatives and specialized Arab, regional, and international organizations. These included agreements with the Armenian “My Step” Foundation, Al Sadd Sports Club, the “Akhlaqna” initiative, the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities, and QatarDebate Center. These partnerships contributed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, promoting social inclusion, strengthening dialogue and communication skills, reinforcing positive values, and activating strategic partnerships in support of social work.
As part of its investment in human capital, the Foundation prioritized professional and institutional capacity building. It organized a series of specialized workshops and training programs, including a Qatar Family Day workshop; a fundamentals of advocacy workshop in collaboration with UNICEF and the Generation Amazing Foundation; a Social Impact Measurement Program; and a Strategic Thinking workshop in cooperation with the National University of Malaysia – Qatar. Additionally, an International Communication workshop was conducted for staff of the Foundation and its affiliated centers to enhance institutional communication skills and strengthen regional and international engagement.
The Foundation also organized specialized awareness workshops focusing on cybersecurity and the protection of beneficiaries’ privacy in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Agency, reaffirming its commitment to digital governance and safe digital practices. Moreover, it hosted the workshop “What Does It Mean to Be Part of the World?” on the occasion of World Social Responsibility Day, reinforcing social responsibility as a practical value in both individual and institutional life.
Extending its commitment to sustainability, the Foundation actively participated in Qatar Sustainability Week by organizing awareness workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Al Nokhba Paper Recycling Company. These workshops addressed the benefits of home gardening, waste segregation at source, sustainability practices, and recycling, thereby promoting environmental awareness and encouraging eco-friendly behaviors that support community responsibility and the preservation of natural resources.
The year also witnessed the implementation of innovative training programs aimed at developing the competencies of psychological and social specialists. These efforts culminated in the launch of a specialized training toolkit on social and psychological theatre techniques under the “Art Lab” project, in collaboration with Dreama Center for Orphan Care, UNESCO, and Ashtar Theatre. This pioneering initiative integrated artistic creativity with social work and introduced new professional tools to support empowerment, expression, and social inclusion.
In the area of family cohesion and social solidarity, the Foundation organized a series of community seminars and events, including the seminar “Family Balance in Light of Societal Developments” on the occasion of Qatar Family Day, and the International Day of Families event at Qatar Mall. It also participated in the State Sports Day, attended by H.E. the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and H.E. the Minister of Social Development and Family – Chairperson of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Additionally, the Foundation organized a Garangao celebration at Al Hazm Mall and hosted National Day activities at Katara Cultural Village over a period of 18 days, with participation from all affiliated centers. These initiatives reflected its strong community presence and ability to engage directly with diverse segments of society.
Regionally and internationally, 2025 marked an active year of participation for the Foundation. It took part in several specialized conferences and forums, including the Global Disability Summit 2025 held in Berlin, alongside the Civil Society Forum and the accompanying exhibition. In collaboration with Shafallah Center and Al Noor Center, the Foundation showcased its experience in supporting and empowering persons with disabilities and exchanged expertise with international stakeholders. The Foundation also participated in the Gulf Nonprofit Sector Forum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the EENA International Exhibition, the “Communities of Opportunity 2025” Conference in Singapore, and the Qatar CSR Conference and Exhibition, with the participation of Nama Center, further strengthening community partnerships and the exchange of best practices.
A key strategic milestone was the Foundation’s participation in the Second World Social Development Summit hosted in Doha. On the sidelines of the Summit, the Foundation organized specialized dialogue sessions, including “Technology as a Social Enabler,” which explored the role of digital solutions in supporting families and enhancing mental health, and “Fulfilling Rights,” focused on ensuring inclusive access to education and healthcare. The Foundation also held bilateral meetings with UN leaders and international organizations and concluded its participation with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities.
In support of the human rights framework, the Foundation played a pivotal role in contributing to the preparation of the National Human Rights Plan 2026–2030. It organized an extensive consultative session in collaboration with the national drafting committee, bringing together representatives from government entities, civil society, and beneficiary groups. This effort ensured that field-level challenges and the voices of priority groups were conveyed to decision-making platforms.
Institutionally, the Foundation’s efforts were recognized through its receipt of the Qatar CSR Award 2025 in recognition of its leadership in advancing community development and embedding a culture of responsibility. The Foundation and its centers were also honored during Qatar Human Rights Day and recognized by Qatar University for their contributions to student training, joint research, and academic project empowerment in support of community development.
In line with strengthening institutional values and fostering a culture of appreciation, the Foundation organized its annual gathering under the theme “Thank You,” celebrating gratitude as a core institutional value and honoring staff, partners, and impactful initiatives. The event reaffirmed that social work is a humanitarian mission built on integration, teamwork, and investment in people.
Building on the achievements of 2025, Qatar Foundation for Social Work is preparing to enter a new phase of institutional development in 2026. This phase will center on the development of its five-year strategy for 2026–2030, restructuring its operational framework in alignment with its strategic mandate, and aligning with the Third National Development Strategy under Qatar National Vision 2030. The Foundation is also working to reactivate and expand its regional and international networks, broaden access to its services through diversified channels, enhance public awareness of its role and that of its affiliated centers, and continue investing in human capital and institutional systems. It will adopt performance indicators and impact measurement frameworks to ensure quality, sustainability, and readiness to address evolving social and developmental dynamics.
As it concludes 2025, Qatar Foundation for Social Work reaffirms its commitment to advancing the social work system, deepening partnerships, embracing innovation, and transforming vision into programs and principles into practice. Through these efforts, the Foundation aims to deliver sustainable social impact that serves individuals, families, and society, and supports Qatar’s aspirations toward a more cohesive, equitable, and inclusive future.