Sheikh Hamdan launches Erth Dubai Award, offering over AED5 million to honour efforts in cultural heritage documentation and storytelling
DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has officially launched the Erth Dubai Award, one of the largest global recognitions for cultural and heritage preservation. Under the umbrella of the Erth Dubai initiative, this prestigious award seeks to celebrate individuals and organisations committed to safeguarding the city’s cultural identity.
With a total prize fund exceeding AED5 million, the Erth Dubai Award includes community and institutional categories, aiming to encourage contributions from citizens, residents, and public and private sector entities. Entries that creatively capture Dubai’s social and cultural life through storytelling and documentation will be given preference.
The award comprises seven sub-categories, including Best Creatively Documented Story, Best Story to Document Family’s Legacy, Best Story Documented on Social Media, Best Documenter of Dubai’s Oral Heritage, and Best Dubai Resident Story. A grand prize of AED1 million will be awarded to the most outstanding submission, with AED500,000 going to each category winner.
Sheikh Hamdan affirmed that preserving cultural heritage is central to Dubai’s continued growth and global leadership. He stated that the emirate’s development is deeply rooted in its past and guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has successfully merged authenticity with innovation in shaping Dubai’s identity.
He also emphasised that safeguarding the collective memory of Dubai’s people is a shared responsibility, calling on the public to actively participate in the award and contribute to a living archive of the city’s vibrant history.
Entries can be submitted through the official website https://erthdubai.ae or via the newly launched Erth Dubai app, available on Apple Store and Google Play. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2026.
All approved entries will be preserved in a digital archive accessible to researchers, cultural bodies and the public. This initiative ensures that Dubai’s heritage is not only remembered but also actively shared and passed down through generations.
The Erth Dubai initiative, introduced in February 2025, has already gained strong public engagement, reflecting a widespread commitment to preserving the emirate’s unique cultural journey.
