Who We Are

Somaliland Youth Development and Voluntary Organization (SOYDAVO) is a local non-governmental organization (LNGO) with its headquarters in the city of Burao, Somaliland, and regional sub-offices in Hargeisa and Erigavo. SOYDAVO was established and registered in June 2006.

SOYDAVO is originally a youth-based organization and has retained throughout its years of existence the identity of promoting youth empowerment. SOYDAVO staff including the executive team is under 35 years old and comprise of both women and men as SOYDAVO enforces a strict gender equality policy into its recruitment processes.

Based on the wide-range of limitations that Somaliland faces, SOYDAVO is engaged in multi-sector activities such as: vocational skills training, Food Security and Livelihoods, protection and gender equality projects, promotion of peace through the use of culture, and WASH activities. SOYDAVO’s target groups are vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in Somaliland’s IDPs and rural areas. Our work is focused on the protection of women girls from VAWG and promotion of human rights and gender equality in Somaliland.