Sharjah: The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has introduced a new flexible volunteering initiative for the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), in support of the UAE’s ‘Year of Community 2025,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at deepening civic engagement, social responsibility, and volunteerism across the country.
For the first time in the book fair’s history, individuals aged 15 and above can participate through a flexible system that allows them to volunteer for as little as one hour or a single day. The initiative is designed to make community involvement more accessible to people with varying schedules while encouraging youth participation in major cultural events.
In addition, the SBA flexible volunteering initiative enables school and university students to complete the mandatory volunteer hours required for their graduation. Volunteers will have a range of tasks, including supporting registration, reception, and surveys, assisting departments such as IT, finance, and logistics, and helping with the reception of international guests at hotels and airports.
All volunteer hours will be officially documented through the Sharjah Volunteer Centre platform, ensuring that participants receive formal recognition. Upon completion of their service, volunteers will be awarded an official certificate of participation.
Badr Mohammed Saab, Director of Government Communications at SBA, said that the initiative supports the UAE’s Year of Community 2025, which aims to embed volunteerism and social responsibility as national values. The Director noted that the authority is opening opportunities for all segments of society, particularly young people and those interested in cultural work, to play an active role in a major international event.
Saab added that the flexible volunteering model gives individuals, especially students, a practical way to take part in cultural events without disrupting their daily commitments. It also offers a chance to contribute to the community while developing skills and experience in a collaborative setting that encourages creativity and learning.
The initiative has received strong community interest, with more than 1,000 applications submitted and 500 volunteers selected to assist in this year’s fair. These volunteers will contribute to the smooth running of SIBF 2025, which is hosting 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, along with 250 authors and intellectuals from 66 nations.
The SIBF 2025 will feature over 1,200 events, including literary discussions, cultural sessions, workshops, and book signings, reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a leading global hub for literature and culture.
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