Abu Dhabi: The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has seen a significant surge in participation during the second round of the Wyakom initiative.
There were 305 idea submissions, a remarkable 161 percent increase in participants compared to the previous edition.
Wyakom is an innovative digital platform that aims to enhance community engagement and encourage them to propose innovative solutions to prominent social challenges. For the 2023 edition, which was held in collaboration with the Family Development Foundation, Wyakom invited the public to provide innovative solutions to challenges faced by the elderly across three main pillars: financial, social, and emotional well-being.
Shaikha Alhosani, Executive Director of the Social Monitoring and Innovation Sector at DCD said that, “The submissions received by Wyakom in its second edition reflect the keenness of community members to enhance the lives of the elderly and help them overcome social challenges. Through the platform, people have been provided the opportunity to actively participate in supporting the elderly through their innovative ideas and solutions.”
“The department will announce a committee composed of social sector experts and specialists to evaluate all the solutions. In the coming days, the solutios will be evaluated, and 10 of the best will be selected for the final stage according to several criteria, which include technical feasibility, financial feasibility, estimated time to implement a pilot project, problem-solution fit, relevance to the social sector, impact, innovation, and sustainability,” Shaikha Alhosani added.
The winning solutions will be honored, and incentive rewards will be given to the top three in a ceremony organized by the department. Moreover, a practical plan will be created to implement the proposed solutions on the ground in cooperation with the relevant authorities from the government, private sector, and third sector in the emirate.
During the submission stage, the department organized several interactive workshops for participants, which included an explanation of the concept of social innovation, its methodologies, and application mechanisms. The participants also learned how to apply social innovation within the Wyakom initiative.
Furthermore, the workshops emphasized the significance of innovation in benefiting society by addressing people’s needs and tackling challenges more efficiently. They also highlighted innovation’s role in enhancing adaptability and staying abreast of swift changes, ultimately leading to increased efficiency in the adoption of effective solutions.