Why it matters.
Local organizations are closest to their communities, but often too small and too stretched to grow.
Youth- and women-led organizations in the Somali Region know their communities and are trusted by them. Many are new, run by volunteers, and compete with one another for the same small grants.
Young people who leave on irregular migration routes, many of them children, face serious dangers. Those who return need protection, care and a way back into community life, and local organizations are best placed to provide it.
Participants at a capacity-building training for emerging civil society organizations, with CSRC and CAYO banners.
What it does.
The programme will strengthen local civil society and build protection for the young people who need it most.
Capacity support
Training and coaching for emerging CSOs in governance, financial management, safeguarding and programme design.
Shared resources
Partnership, collective action and shared resources among local CSOs, through Collaboration Over Competition.
Child protection
Case management and protection for children and young people returning from irregular migration.
Funding local
Passing a growing share of programme funds to youth- and women-led local partners.
Who it is for.
Local civil society organizations, especially those led by young people and women, and children and young people returning from irregular migration.
Every programme carries our commitments: gender equality, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, a climate lens and digital-first delivery.
Built with AFD and CSRC.
The programme grows from our civil society work with Agence Française de Développement and the Civil Society Resource Center, and from our own initiative for local CSOs.
Empowering Civil Society Groups for Social Justice and Resilience, Phase II
Strengthening civil society groups for social justice and resilience, through January 2027.
Partners Agence Française de Développement (AFD); Civil Society Resource Center (CSRC) · Implementers CSRC and CAYO
Empowering Civil Society Groups for Social Justice and Resilience, Phase I
The first phase of our civil society work with AFD and CSRC.
Partners AFD; CSRC · Implementers CSRC and CAYO
Collaboration Over Competition
Promotes partnership, collective action and shared resources among local CSOs, especially those led by youth and women.
How we will measure.
We will measure whether local organizations grow stronger and take the lead themselves.
CSOs supported
Local CSOs receiving capacity support.
Funds passed on
The share of our programme funds passed to youth- and women-led local partners.
Organizational growth
Changes in partners’ governance, finances and safeguarding, assessed with them.
Protection cases
Children and young people supported through case management, recorded confidentially.
Where this leads next.
Our programmes are built to connect, so that a young person can move from one to the next without starting over.
Safe Communities
Communities that prevent violence against women and girls, and survivors who know where to turn.
Read moreNabad Generation
Young people at the table where peace is kept, working alongside the elders who keep it.
Read more
Hiigsi Leaders
Young women and men at the table where local decisions are made.
Read morePartner on Civil Society and Protection.
Fund local civil society through us, join Collaboration Over Competition, or support protection for young returnees.