The first edition of the award witnessed the participation of 44 Arab works and initiatives, with 25 winners selected across its five categories. The Zaha Cultural Center was among six Arab institutions to win the Institutional Excellence Award, an achievement that reflects the importance of institutional experiences in developing voluntary work and expanding the scope of community participation.
Rania Sabeh, Executive Director of the Zaha Cultural Center, said: "The Zaha Cultural Center receiving the Institutional Excellence Award at the Arab level represents recognition of an institutional approach through which we work to transform volunteering from individual initiatives into a sustainable culture and practice that enhances community participation in development. Through 25 branches across the Kingdom's governorates and more than 350 free programs, we work to provide equal opportunities for children, adolescents, and youth to participate, innovate, and serve their communities. The volunteering platform implemented by the center through the efforts of volunteers includes more than 91,000 volunteers and allows for networking with more than 1,600 partner institutions, which expands the scope of joint work and enhances the impact of community initiatives."
Sabeh added: "At the Zaha Cultural Center, we believe that consolidating the culture of volunteering begins in childhood by providing opportunities for children to participate in community and environmental initiatives and developing their sense of responsibility and belonging. The 'Green Wheels' project embodies this approach by linking community participation with environmental awareness and allowing children to contribute to initiatives that promote sustainability, translating the values they learn into practices in their daily lives. We continue to develop our programs and initiatives and employ technology to expand opportunities for participation and empowerment, reaching more groups and communities across the Kingdom."
This achievement is an extension of the Zaha Cultural Center's efforts to employ community media and its digital platforms to introduce voluntary initiatives, highlight their impact, and enhance communication between institutions and volunteers, contributing to expanding community participation and encouraging individuals to contribute to serving their communities. It also highlights the importance of participating in specialized Arab and international awards as an opportunity to showcase Jordanian institutional experiences and achievements, and to exchange expertise that contributes to developing voluntary work and enhancing its impact.
The Zaha Cultural Center is a national institution under the Royal Initiatives, offering more than 350 free programs in cultural, educational, technical, sports, and artistic fields, with the aim of empowering children, adolescents, and youth and developing their skills through 25 branches in various governorates of the Kingdom. The center also implements qualitative initiatives in the fields of community development, sustainability, and innovation, and employs technology to create new opportunities for learning, empowerment, and enhancing its impact in serving the community.
