As a small non-governmental, non-profit organisation, we rely on our incredible network of volunteers to ensure things run smoothly across different Foundation initiatives, projects, and, most frequently, events. And each year, we’ve been lucky to see the number of returning faces steadily grow, as our volunteers keep choosing to dedicate their time and effort to helping us fulfill our mission as a Foundation.
That’s because our volunteers understand that even small actions, like guiding a Festival-goer to the room their event is in or offering constructive feedback on a short story written by one of our student writers, can have a big impact on someone else’s life, because in that brief moment, we become a part of their story. So if you’re looking for some way to give back, or perhaps feel connected to a vibrant community of passionate individuals, you’ve come to the right place!
How to Get Involved
At the Emirates Literature Foundation, we have a few different types of roles (for both fluent Arabic speakers and fluent English speakers), each of which gives UAE residents with different interests and availabilities a chance to participate in our volunteer programme.|
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| As a Foundation we organise and host different events throughout the year. From low-key monthly community nights and mid-sized awards ceremonies like for the Voices of Future Generations programme, to larger, much more produced events, like our recent conference for the Reading for Pleasure project, and our annual Emirates LitFest, we do it all. | Unable to make it in person? No worries! There are other ways to share your time and skills with the Foundation — especially if you enjoy reading! |
| This gives our in-person volunteers many different chances to gain the kind of valuable hands-on experience that can only come from being physically present, be it guiding guests to their seats, helping check guests in, or clearing rooms once a speaker is done and the audience has left. | We’re always looking for people to help us read and “sift” through writing submissions for our Education and Voices of Future Generations children’s short story writing competitions when we open it up annually. We even need people to help us read through our mountain of books and review them for our Programming team, so they can curate the best possible events they can. |
| However, due to the shifting nature of what our requirements might be for each event, we encourage people to submit a general application so we can contact them when a role that is a perfect fit arises. | Of course, the time commitment for each of these varies in relation to the competitions, but these will be communicated to you in advance should you be chosen as a volunteer. |
| PLEASE NOTE: While applicants for other Foundation roles may be notified on a rolling basis, volunteers for the LitFest are notified whether they have been selected after Wednesday, 18 December so there is enough time for a mandatory security check, between their acceptance and the LitFest itself. | As these roles are virtual, there is an opportunity for a non-UAE resident to apply to assist us. |
LitFest Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
As one of the annual flagship events of not just ELF, but also the Dubai literary scene, the Emirates LitFest has specific roles that it requires volunteers for.
- Room Managers: These volunteers are assigned to specific event rooms. With the help of their crew, they will set up and manage each event within their room throughout the day. This is suited to our more experienced volunteers!
- Area Manager: These volunteers are assigned to manage specific areas, such as the main book signing area, the information desk, crowd control, and more. This makes it a great fit for our more experienced volunteers!
- Room/Area Crew: These volunteers support Room and Area Managers with setting up their event room or area before, during, and after a session. They also help scan audience members’ tickets, help seat attendees, and more. Perfect for a first-time volunteer!
- Marketing and Communication: With so much going on at the LitFest both during the main programme and the After Hours one, these volunteers help the Marketing and Communications team by supporting them in the lead-up to the Festival and by being their eyes and ears on the ground during it. These roles fall into:
- Editorial: These volunteers attend assigned sessions and write blog posts about it.
- Branding: These volunteers would ideally have a graphic design background and would sign off on slides and screens for fonts, logos, etc.
- Survey: These volunteers help collect a specific number of surveys — in both English and Arabic — over the course of the Festival.
- Runners: These volunteers support with ICE and podcast interviews!
Application Requirements
We accept volunteers on a rolling basis, to ensure that we’ve found the best fit for each possible role. However, LitFest volunteers will only be accepted until Sunday 16 November 2025.
- All volunteers must be 16 years or older on the day they apply. Volunteers of determination must be 18 years or older.
- All volunteers hold a valid Emirates ID.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide the following:
- Visa assistance or sponsorship
- Flights or transport to/from the venue
- Accomodation or any additional expenses
Application Process
Everyone is required to fill out the application form below, including volunteers who’ve worked with us for previous Festivals or events. This is to ensure that all our information is up-to-date.
- After you submit the application form, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Your application will be added to our volunteers’ database, where we will make selections for virtual roles (like our short story sifters) on a rolling basis all year round. For in-person events like the LitFest, anyone selected will be contacted by January, after which they will be expected to attend a mandatory training session in person.
- For in-person volunteers for the LitFest, placement confirmations will begin mid-January. When all the roles are filled, the remaining applications will be added to a waiting list.
- If anything changes with regards to your availability to volunteer for us, please email us at: volunteercoordinator@emirateslitfest.com
