About Us

Founded by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi, FBMI began its work in Afghanistan and has since evolved into a broader platform for social and economic empowerment. Today, its initiatives support communities through employment, skills development, education, healthcare and the preservation of traditional crafts, creating opportunities designed to have a lasting impact across generations.

Our Story

Founded in 2010, FBMI creates sustainable pathways for underserved communities through employment, education, healthcare, cultural preservation and strategic advisory.

What began with carpet weaving in Afghanistan has grown into a wider model for social and economic empowerment – one that supports women, families and communities while preserving heritage skills for future generations.

At the heart of FBMI is a commitment to helping people build more independent futures. Through its initiatives and social enterprises, FBMI invests in the skills, services and structures that allow communities to support themselves with dignity.

FBMI was established as a joint venture between Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and Tanweer Investments in Afghanistan. Around 70% of its employees are women, including widows, with many working from home. Each receives vocational training, medical care and schooling for their children as part of FBMI’s wider support model.

Our Mission

To brighten the future of under-resourced communities by investing in their skills, health and education through social enterprise. Rather than providing aid alone, FBMI creates sustainable employment and essential support services that help individuals and families build independent, self-determined futures – for themselves, and for the generations that follow.

Read Their Stories

Our Values

FBMI is guided by four core values. Together, they shape the way the Initiative works, the partnerships it builds and the communities it supports.

Dignity

We create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute to their communities on their own terms.

Inspiration

Through employment, training and community support, FBMI aims to inspire change from within – helping people see new possibilities for themselves and future generations.

Excellence

From programme delivery to product creation, FBMI is committed to quality, care and responsible practice across every part of its work.

Preservation

FBMI preserves traditional skills and cultural heritage by ensuring ancient craft techniques continue to have value, relevance and economic purpose today.

Impact

FBMI’s impact is measured not only in numbers, but in the lives behind them: women able to earn, children able to attend school, families able to access healthcare, and communities given the tools to become more resilient.

Its work has reached over one million people, with more than 8,000 Afghans employed through the Initiative and over 20,000 children enrolled in school. Its healthcare services have also reached communities across Afghanistan through medical care, health checks, mobile clinics, vaccination programmes and essential supplies.

Every part of FBMI’s work is connected by the same idea: impact should be sustainable. By combining enterprise with social support, FBMI creates a model where opportunity can continue long after the first intervention.

Our Journey

2010

FBMI Is Founded

The Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative is established to create sustainable change for women and children through employment, healthcare, education and social enterprise.

2016

A Carpet Becomes Diplomacy

Zuleya brings Afghan carpet-weaving to the world. The Tolerance Carpet – woven through the Initiative – is gifted by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to His Holiness Pope Francis, carrying FBMI’s story onto the world stage.

2020

Mira Brings Afghan Produce To Market

FBMI launches Mira, a social enterprise selling Afghan-grown produce, with proceeds reinvested into the Initiative. Its healthcare work also expands through medical outreach and polio vaccination efforts across Afghanistan.

2024

Emirati District Opens

FBMI brings its social enterprise model to Dubai International Airport with Emirati District, a curated space where travellers can shop Emirati-made goods and Afghan produce from Mira. FBMI also opens 10 healthcare centres across seven provinces in Afghanistan.