Inside the Department of Health National Day Activation

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of running a number of citymoov activations in malls across Abu Dhabi, and every time it’s been incredible to see people engaging with the app, exploring new areas and discovering how fun movement can be. However, the Eid Al Etihad activation at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi Headquarters stood out.

This wasn’t just an activation – it was a chance to bring the app to the very people shaping Abu Dhabi’s health and wellbeing strategies. Employees stepped away from their desks to take part in a bespoke citymoov quest within their own building. From collecting moovcoins, to completing interactive checkpoint challenges for prizes. The day was full of energy, friendly competition and genuine engagement. Watching colleagues compete, and get moving in an everyday setting was a powerful reminder of what the app is designed to do: make activity simple, inclusive and rewarding.

Here are a few key takeaways from the day:

1. People just need a reason to move

Movement doesn’t have to be complicated. Give someone a challenge, a little game, a reward and suddenly participation soars. Employees went from “What’s this app?” to actively competing with each other in minutes. A small nudge can create a big impact.

2. citymoov works because it’s designed for the everyday

Not just on weekends. Not just during the holidays. But in everyday settings – offices, schools, parks – busy professionals, students and communities with everyday routines can still get involved and get moving. Anywhere in Abu Dhabi, participants can build a quest, share it with colleagues / friends and play. Accessibility and inclusivity are central to the app’s success and seeing it work in a professional environment reinforced that.

3. National Day is the perfect stage to showcase the UAE’s health vision
The UAE talks about building healthier, more active communities and this event demonstrated it in practice. Staff completing challenges, competing for rewards and enjoying the process reflected exactly what Abu Dhabi is aiming for:

• A population that moves

• A community that thrives

• A future where activity is part of everyday life

This activation reminded me that wellbeing, technology and engagement can come together in powerful, practical ways, and there’s something uniquely satisfying about seeing citymoov thrive with the very people driving health and wellbeing across Abu Dhabi.