Entries can be submitted by self-nomination or by others through arabhopemakers.com, with a focus on projects in education, healthcare, dignity, and community development.

The initiative is run under Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and invites applications from across the Arab world and globally for voluntary, non-profit projects addressing community development or alleviating suffering.

Hope is framed as essential to thriving societies, guiding youth toward brighter futures and inspiring dreams.

Fouzia Mahmoudi’s win is highlighted as part of the ongoing impact narrative, with Sheikh Mohammed emphasizing hope, prosperity, peace, and safety as outcomes of philanthropic work.

Past recipients and themes have spanned healthcare, support for vulnerable families, and assistance to children with serious medical conditions.

The 2025 Arab Hope Maker was Fouzia Mahmoudi of Morocco, whose foundation Operation Smile performed more than 19,000 surgeries on children with cleft lips and palates.

Since its launch in 2017, more than 335,000 participants have taken part in the initiative, illustrating its wide reach.

Over the editions, there have been tens of thousands of nominations, with high counts in early rounds and continued participation in later years.

Last year’s edition saw 15,800 participants across six editions, with the sixth edition awarding Dh1 million to each of three finalists, totaling Dh3 million.

In 2025, two finalists each received Dh1 million, expanding the prize pool to Dh3 million ($817,000).

The 2026 edition concluded with a ceremony in Dubai, where Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi of Morocco won AED 1 million for her work with Operation Smile, with two other finalists also receiving AED 1 million each.

The seventh edition of Arab Hope Makers was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, offering a prize of Dh1 million to recognize individuals whose humanitarian work has positively impacted their communities.