Why it matters.
Young people in the Somali Region are ready to work and to trade. What they lack is capital, skills and a way into markets.
Livestock is the backbone of the regional economy, and drought can wipe out a family’s herd in a single season. Many young people leave pastoral life for towns such as Jigjiga, where formal jobs are few.
Starting a business takes capital that most young people cannot raise. Conventional loans charge interest, which many young Muslims will not take, and few lenders offer Sharia-compliant finance at the scale young entrepreneurs need.
What it does.
The Ganacsi Youth Fund will take young entrepreneurs from training to finance to market, with support at each step.
Bootcamp
Business training for young women and men: planning, bookkeeping, pricing and selling.
Seed grant
Small grants to start or grow a business, awarded on a sound plan.
Sharia-compliant finance
Murabaha finance with local microfinance institutions, for businesses ready to grow beyond a grant.
Markets
Support for livestock, value-chain and urban enterprises to reach buyers, with mentoring through our youth network.
Who it is for.
Young women and men in towns and pastoral areas who want to start or grow a business, including young people leaving pastoral livelihoods after drought. Young women entrepreneurs are a priority.
Every programme carries our commitments: gender equality, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, a climate lens and digital-first delivery.
Where it starts.
The Fund grows from the opportunity sharing that already connects young people across the Somali Region, and from the livelihood role in CAYO’s programme team.
Fursadaha Dhalinyarada network
Young people already share jobs, training and opportunities through the network. It will be the Fund’s first route to applicants and mentors.
Run by CAYO, on Telegram
Livelihoods in our programme team
CAYO’s programme structure includes a Livelihood project officer, who will lead the Fund’s design with partners.
How we will measure.
We will judge the Fund by the businesses still trading a year after support ends.
Businesses supported
Every business that completes a bootcamp, receives a grant or takes finance.
Still trading
Whether young people are in work or enterprise twelve months after support.
Seasonal tracking
In pastoral areas, livelihood results checked in each rainy and dry season, so that drought impacts show up rather than hide in annual averages.
Who benefits
Results by sex, age, disability and displacement status.
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.
Ilays Learning
A second chance at learning, and a recognized certificate, for every young person out of school.
Read moreFursadaha Digital
Digital skills, safe online spaces and a youth voice in the media.
Read moreGreen Horn Initiative
Rangelands, water and livelihoods that withstand drought, and young responders ready when it comes.
Read morePartner on the Ganacsi Youth Fund.
Capitalize the Fund, bring Sharia-compliant finance to young entrepreneurs, or open your markets and supply chains to youth businesses.