Fifteen years after its founding, the Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI) stands as one of the UAE’s most remarkable success stories in social innovation, sustainability, and cultural diplomacy. Established in 2010 by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the initiative has evolved from a community-driven enterprise into a global model for purpose-led development, fusing creativity, entrepreneurship, and compassion to create lasting social change.
What began as an initiative to empower Afghan women through traditional carpet weaving has blossomed into a self-sustaining ecosystem of businesses and programs built around the principles of education, employment, and ethical trade. FBMI’s model reinvests all profits directly into its social programs, ensuring continuous access to healthcare, schooling, and sustainable livelihoods for underserved communities. Over the past decade and a half, it has created over 10,000 jobs, educated thousands of children, and provided healthcare to nearly two million beneficiaries, a true testament to the UAE’s humanitarian and visionary leadership.
“Fifteen years of FBMI is more than a milestone; it’s a reaffirmation of our mission to empower, to educate, and to connect communities through creativity,” says Maywand Jabarkhyl, CEO of FBMI. “From the UAE to Afghanistan and now Tanzania, our work continues to evolve, but the foundation remains the same: people, purpose, and progress.”
This year also marks a new chapter with the launch of Hunger, a social enterprise in Tanzania dedicated to tackling malnutrition and supporting local farmers through sustainable food production. The initiative extends FBMI’s ethos from craftsmanship to cultivation — addressing food security while empowering communities across Africa through a circular, impact-driven model.
FBMI’s network of enterprises continues to expand its reach and influence. Zuleya, its design and retail arm, brings together Afghan craftsmanship and contemporary Emirati aesthetics. Mira, the agricultural enterprise, advances sustainable cultivation and ethical sourcing, while Emirati District at Dubai International Airport celebrates local creativity and heritage. At Diplomacy Lab, FBMI fosters cross-cultural dialogue through curated talks and creative collaborations.
To commemorate its 15th anniversary, FBMI will host a series of activations, including special showcases at Dubai Design Week, Abu Dhabi Art, and UAE National Day, alongside the relaunch of Diplomacy Lab Talks under the theme “Cultural Diplomacy in Practice.” Together, these events celebrate FBMI’s enduring vision.
