Arab Youth Center

What Arab Youth Center does

The Arab Youth Center (مركز الشباب العربي) is a non-governmental, non-profit institution headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that runs leadership, media, technology, climate, and diplomacy programs for Arab youth aged 15-35 across 22 Arab countries. It was founded in 2017 under the vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as President. The center operates from a roughly 2,000 square meter facility on the 8th floor of Mubadala Tower, including meeting halls (Al-Diwan, Al-Majlis, Al-Iwan), a media studio (Al-Qimra), capsule rooms, and a permanent hall dedicated to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The center's product surface consists of 26 active initiatives and sub-brands including the Arab Youth Hackathon, Arab Youth Technology Fellowship, Young Arab Media Leaders Program, Arab Youth Diplomatic Leadership Program, Global Youth Water Envoys Programme, Youth Pitches (حلول شبابية), Arab Youth Council for Climate Change, Arab Youth Research Platform, and Arab Youth Podcast. It also runs research outputs (Interactive Arab Youth Facts Platform, Arab Youth Blogs) and content channels in Arabic and English. Distribution is direct: in-person programming at the Abu Dhabi HQ, emerging regional hubs in Jordan (with Crown Prince Foundation) and Saudi Arabia, plus international delegate programs. The technology layer is non-proprietary — the center's core work is program delivery rather than a software platform.

The business model is grant-funded non-profit operations. All programs and services are offered free of charge to participants, and revenue is sourced from UAE leadership patronage, government partners, international organizations (UNDP, Arab League, EU Delegation, CIFF), and private sector sponsors (PepsiCo, e&, HSBC, LinkedIn, Plug and Play). Revenue, budgets, and funding rounds are not publicly disclosed. The center does not have paying customers and instead measures scale through non-financial metrics: 10,052+ Arab youth beneficiaries, 316+ government and private partners, and 2,170+ events hosted since 2017.

Name

Arab Youth Center

Legal name

Arab Youth Center

Website

https://arabyouthcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Arab Youth Center is a UAE-based non-governmental, non-profit institution that runs leadership, media, technology, climate, and diplomacy programs for Arab youth aged 15-35 across 22 Arab countries, operating from Abu Dhabi with emerging regional hubs in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Empowerment Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

Keywords

• Youth leadership development
• Youth empowerment programs
• Capacity building programs
• Community engagement services
• Non-profit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Non-profit / Grant Funding: The Arab Youth Center is a non-governmental, non-profit institution established under the vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The center operates through partnerships with government entities, international organizations, and private sector sponsors who fund programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Arab Youth Center is a non-governmental, non-profit institution that delivers leadership development, capacity building, media, technology, climate action, and diplomatic training programs for Arab youth aged 15-35. Its offerings include structured fellowships (Arab Youth Tech Fellowship), innovation competitions (Arab Youth Hackathon, Youth Solutions), leadership programs (Young Arab Media Leaders Program, Arab Youth Diplomatic Leadership Program), global delegate programs (Global Youth Water Envoys Programme), research publications, and a physical creative hub in Abu Dhabi with regional hubs in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Youth Water Envoys Programme: A global youth capacity-building and empowerment program launched by the center in partnership with UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, preparing 100 young people to contribute to global water governance and the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
• Arab Youth Hackathon
• Young Arab Media Leaders Program
• Arab Youth Diplomatic Leadership Program
• Arab Youth Technology Fellowship
• Youth Pitches (حلول شبابية)
• Arab Youth Council for Climate Change
• Arab Youth Research Platform
• Interactive Arab Youth Facts Platform
• Young Arab Pioneers (رواد الشباب العربي)
• Arab Youth Blogs
• Arab Youth Podcast
• Arab Youth Meeting for Young Leaders
• Arab Youth Delegates for Development in the Arab Region

Products and services

• Arab Youth Hackathon An innovation competition where Arab youth develop technology-based solutions for regional challenges such as crises and climate change. Targeted at young Arab developers, designers, and problem-solvers.
• Young Arab Media Leaders Program An intensive media leadership development program for young Arab media professionals, conducted in partnership with leading media institutions. Targeted at emerging Arab journalists and media professionals.
• Arab Youth Diplomatic Leadership Program A diplomatic training program for young Arab leaders focusing on diplomatic skills, international protocol, and humanitarian diplomacy. Targeted at Arab youth aspiring to diplomatic and international affairs careers.
• Arab Youth Technology Fellowship A technology fellowship program connecting young Arab innovators with AI institutions and technology ecosystems. Targeted at young Arab innovators aged 18-35 with emerging technology startups seeking mentorship and resources.
• Global Youth Water Envoys Programme A global youth capacity-building and empowerment program preparing 100 young delegates from six global regions to contribute to global water governance and the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. Led in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation.
• Youth Solutions (حلول شبابية) A recurring competition providing a platform for Arab youth to present innovative ideas and solutions to regional challenges directly to decision-makers. Targeted at young Arab innovators across sectors.
• Arab Youth Council for Climate Change

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,052+ Arab youth beneficiaries served through programs and initiatives
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• UAE Ministry of Foreign AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2026Strategic partnership for the Global Youth Water Envoys Programme, preparing 100 delegates to contribute to UN Water Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The ministry provides diplomatic oversight and access to international platforms.
• Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the Global Youth Water Envoys Programme with funding and resources to enable youth participation in water governance discussions ahead of UN Water Conference 2026.
• Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)majorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration for Arab Youth Tech Fellowship 2025 where 23 young Arab innovators visited MBZUAI to explore AI applications and innovation ecosystems as part of the fellowship program.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Arab Youth Tech Fellowship 2025, offering mentorship and incubation opportunities for participants' startups. IEC expressed interest in collaborating with program graduates.
• e& (telecom company)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced complimentary three-month access to its online learning platform offering 1,000+ accredited courses in technology and entrepreneurship for Tech Fellowship participants.
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas a permanent hall dedicated to GCC within the center's Abu Dhabi headquarters. Serves as executive headquarters for GCC activities and hosts joint programs, workshops, conferences, and training in youth sectors.
• Crown Prince Foundation (Jordan)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the first Arab Youth Hackathon (Version 1), under the theme 'Youth Solutions for Crises'. Collaboration for the first regional creative hub for youth in the Kingdom.
• PepsiComajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Arab Youth Hackathon Version 2, focused on climate change solutions. Partnership under Plug and Play's innovation platform supporting youth-driven climate action.
• Plug and PlaymajorTechnology or IntegrationInnovation partner for Arab Youth Hackathon Version 2, facilitating connection to global innovation ecosystem for youth climate solutions.
• LinkedInmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 'Arab Youth Professional Readiness Program' providing 10 learning paths, certifications, and 500 opportunities for Arab youth over a 5-month period.
• European Union DelegationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on negotiation skills training camp for non-specialists, including workshops and interactive climate negotiation simulations ahead of COP28.
• Al Rawi Platform (Bahrain)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAudiobooks initiative providing 2,000 Arab youth (ages 15-35) with free 3-month membership to audio content platform featuring leadership, management, self-development books.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program for Youth Development Delegates in the Arab Region, introducing Arab youth to UNDP's operational framework and building capacities for development work.
• Arab LeaguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for youth empowerment cooperation in the Arab region, facilitating Arab League participation in Arab Youth Leaders Meeting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Global Shapers Community (World Economic Forum): WEF-initiated network of city-based Hubs of young leaders running local projects. Comparable as a global youth leadership/empowerment network with similar leadership-development and entrepreneurship programming.
• SAUDIA (Saudia Tech | Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship): Saudi-based youth entrepreneurship and leadership institution. Comparable as a regional player building youth entrepreneurship and tech skills pipelines in the Arab world, competing for similar cohorts and sponsors.

Broad incumbents

• King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra): Saudi Aramco-backed cultural and creativity center that runs youth programs in arts, tech, and innovation. Comparable as a GCC state-affiliated youth/cultural hub with physical infrastructure and program-driven content targeting Arab youth.
• UNICEF MENA - Adolescent and Youth Engagement: UN agency with extensive youth empowerment, education, and civic engagement programs across the Arab world. Comparable as a large-scale, multi-country youth development operator with whom the center coordinates (e.g., UN Water Conference pathway).
• Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO): Pan-Arab intergovernmental organization running youth, education, and cultural programs across the Arab world. Comparable as a regional incumbent with overlapping youth mandate and a coordination partner via the Arab League MoU.
• Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF): UAE-based non-profit foundation promoting knowledge and youth development in the Arab world. Comparable as a state-backed, UAE-headquartered non-profit running pan-Arab youth/education programming with similar GCC and international partnerships.
• UNDP Youth Futures Programme: UN Development Programme's youth portfolio runs governance, climate, and skills programs globally. Comparable as a multilateral peer with whom Arab Youth Center co-delivers the Youth Development Delegates program in the Arab region.

Direct peers

• Injaz Al-Arab: Regional non-profit delivering entrepreneurship and workforce readiness programs for Arab youth across 12 MENA countries. Direct peer competing for the same youth-workforce-development segment and corporate sponsorship dollars.
• Crown Prince Foundation (Jordan): Jordanian non-profit established by the Crown Prince to empower Jordanian youth through education, leadership, and innovation programs. Direct peer — partner of Arab Youth Center on the first Arab Youth Hackathon and a co-developer of the Jordan regional hub.

Regional players

• Sharjah Youth Center (also known as Sajaya): UAE-based youth center under the Rubu' Qarn Foundation serving Emirati youth with skill-building and creative programs. Comparable as a smaller, geographically narrower UAE state-backed youth programming operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArabYouthCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArabYouthCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arabyouthcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arab Youth Center