Through this program, Dubai Cares worked to improve the transition to secondary school and reduce dropout rates by 30%. The program focused on strengthening the capacity of local non-governmental organizations to analyze the complex issue of school dropout and to design and prototype effective solutions. It also aimed to develop scalable and sustainable models that could be replicated affordably, contributing to both local and national efforts.

Dubai Cares worked closely with four local NGOs to design high-impact solutions that addressed the key drivers of dropout, including prioritizing school over work and early marriage, reducing direct, indirect, and opportunity costs, strengthening connections to livelihood and employment opportunities, and improving learning outcomes.