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The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) and the Qatar Foundation for Social Work signed a funding agreement to back the Vocational Rehabilitation Program at Al Shafallah Center, Gulf Times reported. Through the pact, DAAM will supply financial resources for accredited competency-based training pathways that prepare participants for the labor market and link them to actual job opportunities. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to advance social inclusion under Qatar National Vision 2030, according to the National Planning Council, which describes the vision as balancing economic growth with human development.
The program addresses Al Shafallah Center members aged 15 to 20 through two specialized tracks. One track delivers professional qualifications to those with mild to moderate disabilities in areas aligned with Qatar’s labor needs. The second track focuses on workplace readiness, independence and social adaptation for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities, while the agreement also funds capacity building for center staff to tailor delivery to each participant’s requirements.
Fatima Al Saadi, executive director of Al Shafallah Center, welcomed the collaboration as a forward step in vocational services. “Empowering persons with disabilities begins with investing in their potential and creating genuine opportunities for them to gain the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said. Al Saadi added that the program assesses abilities and interests, creates personalized plans and engages public and private partners to secure suitable employment for those who complete the training.
Yousef Al Nuaimi, director of shared services at DAAM, highlighted the program’s role in fostering independence. “At DAAM, we believe that meaningful vocational programs are essential to opening doors for persons with disabilities in the labor market,” he said. “Our support for Al Shafallah Center’s program is a concrete step toward building a generation that can rely on its own abilities and contribute actively to national development,” Al Nuaimi stated.
Al Shafallah Center functions under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work and provides rehabilitation, education and training for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder up to age 21, center information shows. Its vocational department emphasizes practical skills in daily living, independence and professional preparation to promote social inclusion. The new funding extends these services by emphasizing employment outcomes in coordination with Qatar’s broader development objectives.
The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) was established in 2010 under Amiri Decree No. 44 and channels contributions from companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange into social, sports and charitable projects, according to the fund’s official records. This agreement with Qatar Social Work advances DAAM’s focus on sustainable social initiatives tied to national priorities. The Qatar National Vision 2030, as outlined by the National Planning Council, prioritizes human capital development including greater workforce participation across all segments of society.
A 2026 study found national employment among persons with disabilities in Qatar at 18.5 percent, with clear disparities by gender and disability severity. The government has allocated 5 percent of jobs to persons with disabilities to encourage inclusion, Hukoomi data indicates. The DAAM and Qatar Social Work funding agreement seeks to improve these outcomes by equipping participants with market-relevant skills and facilitating direct pathways into employment.
