Dubai: Inspired by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Year of Giving initiative, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday launched the RTA Foundation.

The foundation will advocate social responsibility and foster the spirit of charity and community service.

Launching the initiative, Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, said, “Launching the Foundation stems from the noble values of the UAE advocating the concept of social responsibility and fostering the spirits of solidarity and cooperation amongst community members and organisations.”

As part of its social responsibility to the community and the nation, he added that the RTA has endorsed the launch of seven initiatives marking Year of Giving, covering an array of charitable activities in the fields of culture, education, volunteering, fund-raising and transportation.

“Through the foundation, RTA will team up with public or private entities in offering transport-related charitable projects in poor or disadvantaged countries with the aim of positively influencing the standard of living and adding economic benefits to those countries,” said Al Tayer.

The foundation’s primary funding source is the income generated by the Public Transport Endowment which RTA launched in collaboration with the Mohammad Bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy.

The foundation will also raise funds through an elective donation channel for Nol cardholders and vehicle owners at the time of issuing/renewing their vehicle registrations, driver licences or even taking taxi rides.