This paper aims to advance the knowledge in the domain of youth entrepreneurship and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rationale is to address the gap in knowledge on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the UAE by analyzing strategies and initiatives that support empowering millennials to achieve sustainable development, with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable economic development. The primary research question guiding this study is: “What strategies and initiatives in the UAE foster the empowerment of the millennial generation for sustainable development?” This study relies on a mixed methodology that combines a descriptive approach, content analysis, and data meta-analysis, with the aim of exploring the relationship between youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. with a focus on the future sustainability leaders (FSL) program. While the FSL program demonstrates its significance in promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, it also reveals certain limitations in its design and implementation that may hinder sustainable economic development. To address these challenges and support youth entrepreneurship, the paper proposes three essential action-oriented approaches: promoting participatory diversity and engagement, managing entrepreneurship drivers, and ensuring access to essential support mechanisms. These recommendations are intended to guide multilateral agencies, voluntary sectors, and private entities in the UAE in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective youth entrepreneurship programs. This paper underscores the importance of continued discourse and critical input to refine existing theories and establish a normative framework for youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. Such efforts are crucial for poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the promotion of intergenerational equity.

Abdelfattah, M. A. (2013). Integrated suitability assessment: a way forward for land use planning and sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Arid Land Research and Management, 27(1), 41–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/15324982.2012.722579

Al Marashi, H. (2010). Encouraging sustainable urban development in the United Arab Emirates. Global Urban Development, 2(1), 1–2.

Alkhaldi, M., Moonesar, I. A., Issa, S. T., et al. (2023). Analysis of the United Arab Emirates’ contribution to the sustainable development goals with a focus on global health and climate change. International Journal of Health Governance, 28(4), 357–367. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhg-04-2023-0040

Almomani, S. (2020). Assessment of Virtual Reality technology as a tool to enhance beauty and skincare e-commerce targeting Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z in Dubai, United Arab Emirates [PhD thesis]. The British University in Dubai (BUiD).

Ameen, N., & Anand, A. (2020). Generation Z in the United Arab Emirates: A smart-tech-driven iGeneration. In: The new generation Z in Asia: Dynamics, Differences, Digitalisation. Emerald Publishing Limited. pp. 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-220-820201018

Audretsch, D. B., & Thurik, A. R. (2004). A model of the entrepreneurial economy. Available online: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/19957 (accessed on 19 March 2024).

Ayish, M. (2020). A youth-driven virtual civic public sphere for the Arab World. In: The Liquefaction of Publicness. Routledge. pp. 66–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/13183222.2018.1418794

Byat, A. B., & Sultan, O. (2014). The United Arab Emirates: fostering a unique innovation ecosystem for a knowledge-based economy. Available online: https://www.globalinnovationindex.org/ (accessed on 19 March 2024).

Cosgrave, D., & O’Dwyer, M. (2020). Ethical standards and perceptions of CRM among millennial consumers. International Marketing Review, 37(5), 863–884. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMR-05-2019-0125

Edoho, F. M. (2015). Entrepreneurship and socioeconomic development. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 6(2), 127–147. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-03-2013-0030

Facchini, F., Jaeck, L., & Bouhaddioui, C. (2021). Culture and entrepreneurship in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 12(3), 1245–1269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-020-00663-z

Gibbs, D. (2006). Sustainability entrepreneurs, ecopreneurs and the development of a sustainable economy. Greener Management International, (55), 63–78.‏‏‏‏ https://doi.org/10.9774/GLEAF.3062.2006.au.00007

Gilbert, M. A. (2022). Initiating Innovation: The Case of Entrepreneurship Education in the United Arab Emirates. In: Innovative Approaches in Pedagogy for Higher Education Classrooms. Emerald Publishing Limited. pp. 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120220000042005

Gulseven, O., & Ahmed, G. (2022). The State of Life on Land (SDG 15) in the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), 13(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijsesd.306264

Hall, J. K., Daneke, G. A., & Lenox, M. J. (2010). Sustainable development and entrepreneurship: Past contributions and future directions. Journal of business venturing, 25(5), 439–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2010.01.002

Jabeen, F., Faisal, M. N., & Katsioloudes, M. I. (2017). Entrepreneurial mindset and the role of universities as strategic drivers of entrepreneurship: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 24(1), 136–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-07-2016-0117

Jennings, L. B., Parra-Medina, D. M., Hilfinger-Messias, D. K., & McLoughlin, K. (2006). Toward a critical social theory of youth empowerment. Journal of Community Practice, 14(1–2), 31–55. https://doi.org/10.1300/J125v14n01_03

Kenkarasseril J. M. (2013). Critical theory for women empowerment through ICT studies. Qualitative Research Journal, 13(2), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-01-2013-0002

Krzymowski, A. (2020). Sustainable development goals in Arab region—United Arab Emirates’ case study. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 15(1), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.35784/pe.2020.1.22

Masdar. (2023). Youth 4 Sustainability: WHAT IS Y4S? Masdar.

Mateos-Molina, D., Pittman, S. J., Antonopoulou, M., et al. (2021). An integrative and participatory coastal habitat mapping framework for sustainable development actions in the United Arab Emirates. Applied Geography, 136, 102568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2021.102568

Modarress, B., Ansari, A., & Ansari, A. (2020). Sustainable development and ecological deficit in the United Arab Emirates. Sustainability, 12(15), 6180. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156180

Mohajer, N., & Earnest, J. (2009). Youth empowerment for the most vulnerable: A model based on the pedagogy of Freire and experiences in the field. Health Education, 109(5), 424–438. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280910984834

Ogamba, I. K. (2018). Millennials empowerment: youth entrepreneurship for sustainable development. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 15(3), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-05-2018-0048

Pearrow, M. M. (2008). A critical examination of an urban-based youth empowerment strategy: The teen empowerment program. Journal of Community Practice, 16(4), 509–525. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705420802514213

Salaam, T. (2017). National Bureau of Statistics. NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) and MOFP. Available online: https://www.nbs.go.tz/nbs/takwimu/ACT/ICT_POLICY_2017.pdf (accessed on 19 March 2024).

Supaijo, S., & Fermansyah, D. (2019). The Perception of Muslim Millennial Traveler’s Towards Halal Tourism. Journal of Islamic Business and Economic Review, 2(1), 43–51.

Walters, T. N., Kadragic, A., & Walters, L. M. (2006). Miracle or mirage: Is development sustainable in the United Arab Emirates. Middle East Review of International Affairs, 10(3), 77–91.

Warner, R., & Moonesar, I. A. (2019). Diversity management: the case of the United Arab Emirates. In: Diversity within diversity management. Emerald Publishing Limited. pp. 41–63. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-636120190000021003

Zaid, B., Fedtke, J., Shin, D. D., et al. (2022). Digital Islam and Muslim millennials: How social media influencers reimagine religious authority and Islamic practices. Religions, 13(4), 335. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13040335