Completed project

Shaqo Platform

Four locally led organisations that joined forces in 2022 to end extreme youth unemployment across the Somali peninsula. YEEL was the member in Somaliland.

Young people in a YEEL class in Hargeisa
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The goal

Decent work for Somali youth: a stable, fair income that supports families, safe conditions and room to grow.

  • An entrepreneurship class in Burao

    Research first

    Market research showed which skills local businesses need.

  • An entrepreneurship class in Borama

    Training

    Life skills, technical training and apprenticeships.

  • Two graduates holding their seed funding award

    Support to start

    Finance, market links and business support.

Results across the consortium

Figures from the consortium's concept note, February 2025.

A young woman in her shop in Burao
800+youth in new or better jobs
5,300family members who rely on them
A YEEL graduation ceremony
6,000more youth trained
45%of them women
A young woman at the counter of her shop

  • City University of Mogadishu
  • Puntland Development and Research Center
  • Iftiin Foundation
  • YEEL, Hargeisa

A YEEL graduate's businessA YEEL graduate's businessA YEEL graduate's businessA YEEL graduate's businessA graduate in her shop in BuraoA young shop owner at his counter

Funded by
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a seed grant of about $4 million
Members
City University of Mogadishu, Puntland Development and Research Center, Iftiin Foundation and YEEL
YEEL's role
Entrepreneurship training, seed funding and the Public–Private Board on youth job creation in Hargeisa
Focus sectors
Green jobs, blue jobs, digital jobs and service jobs
Status
Completed