The Department of Social Services in Sharjah has begun working to regulate the affairs of public benefit associations and institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah, through licenses that will be granted by the Department of Social Work Licensing and Development of the Department. Kholoud Al Nuaimi, Director of the Social Work Licensing and Development Department, explained that the aim of the licenses is to strengthen the procedures for regulating private work in the emirate, improve the quality of social services, as well as enhance partnership and integration between the various parties in the social sector, activate the role of public benefit institutions and associations, and organize their work within a legal framework that defines roles and powers. In accordance with the relevant legislation within the geographical scope of the Emirate of Sharjah, ensuring that it is empowered to achieve its goals. Kholoud said, “We began work after the issuance of the law issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Federation and Ruler of Sharjah, granting the Department of Social Services in Sharjah a local authority competent for local affairs in Sharjah, and it is the authority competent to organize private associations of public benefit located in Sharjah.” From this standpoint, the department represented by the Department of Social Work Licensing and Development - as it is the competent authority - will complete the required procedures, as well as the oversight and supervisory role over civil society associations in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development. She added, this license for associations and institutions permits or prohibits the practice of their volunteer, humanitarian and social work, which would regulate the private sector of institutions and associations of public benefit that are established by members of the community, so that no-objection approvals for advertising are issued and submitted to the Ministry of Community Development to obtain approval and then a license is issued. The institution or association is affiliated with the Social Work Licensing and Development Department, and thus it becomes able to practice its free and volunteer activities and provide its services to the target group of the activity. Al-Nuaimi refutes the activities practiced by associations and institutions, which are religious, cultural, scientific, educational, entertainment, creative, artistic, or humanitarian services, or any purpose of righteousness and solidarity, and that associations and institutions seek in their activities for the public good alone without obtaining a financial profit from their activity. . The Director of the Social Work Licensing and Development Department goes on to say that there are about 45 institutions and associations in Sharjah that have been licensed by the Ministry of Community Development after meeting the requirements, which are that the founders must hold Emirati citizenship, that their number should not be less than 25 people, and that their ages be over 18 years. A certificate of good conduct and conduct and the absence of a penalty restricting freedom for a felony or misdemeanor that violates honor and trust, unless he has been rehabilitated.