The UAE's Ministry of Community Development has signed a memorandum of understanding with Union Coop, the largest co-operative in the UAE, to develop the 'Hydroponic Agriculture Project'.

The project aims to develop the capacities and skills of 'people of determination' in project management and applied life skills, to attain their independence, and boost their self-esteem, also, to further empower them as contributing members of society, said the state news agnecy Wam.

The project also helps create an ecosystem of knowledge, intellect, values, and behaviour that enriches community development, it stated.

It contributes to supporting the UAE's Vocational Rehabilitation And Employment policy to empower people of determination by providing vocational training programmes that match the demands of the job market in cooperation with various governmental and private entities.

The policy helps provide work opportunities for people of determination that match their abilities and levels of disability by implementing strategies to support their employment in governmental and private sectors.

The MoU was signed by Ayesha Al Darbi, the manager of the Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for People of Determination at the Ministry of Community Development, and Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of the Happiness and Marketing Department, on behalf of the CEO of the Union Coop, in the presence of officials from both sides.

Al Darbi said the Hydroponic Agriculture Project would help train and employ 35 people of determination who are over 18 years of age. The project’s initial stage will include two greenhouses based in Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for People of Determination at the ministry of community development.

"We thank Union Coop for its initiative that bolsters its role as a partner in community development and its commitment to raising the level of rehabilitation and employment of people with determination, which shows the level of awareness among various establishments about their role in social responsibility," she added.

Suhail Al Bastaki said that the Hydroponic Agriculture Project is an initiative that expresses Union Coop’s commitment to magnifying social responsibility by supporting governmental, semi-governmental programmes and initiatives in Dubai, as well as local philanthropic and social care programmes.