Who we are

YEEL is an NGO that has fought extreme youth unemployment across the Somali peninsula since 2011.

Four young people in a shop run by YEEL graduates

Our story

YEEL started in Burao as a group of volunteers who supported internally displaced people. In 2017 we moved our headquarters to Hargeisa, and today we run offices in both cities.

We believe that anyone can improve their life and contribute to their community when they get the right opportunity and support. So we give young people the skills, tools and resources they need to succeed as entrepreneurs or employees. Over the years, thousands of young people have built better lives with us.

Four young women from YEEL training in their cosmetics shop
Women in a business training session
Majorityof our beneficiaries are women
A young man studying his course notes at YEEL
70%of the population is young. Unemployment is their biggest challenge.
A young man writing during an exam at YEEL

A Somali peninsula where every young person can reach their potential and help build a prosperous society, free from poverty, clannism, inequality, injustice, khat abuse and extremism.

To end youth unemployment by giving young Somalis the skills, resources and support that build their agency and self-reliance, so they can find decent jobs or start viable businesses.

  • EmpathyWe listen to young people and build our programmes around their needs and hopes.
  • IntegrityWe act with honesty and strong moral principles in all our work.
  • TransparencyWe communicate openly with our partners and the communities we serve.

The people who guide our work

Young people meeting at YEEL

Youth Advisory Committee

Young people advise us on how to design our programmes, give feedback and suggest new ideas. Our decisions reflect what young people face, and the committee members practise taking part in decisions themselves.

Members of the Public–Private Board on youth job creation in Hargeisa

Public–Private Board

Leaders from government, business, academia and civil society give strategic advice, open their networks and help us test and improve our programmes, so they lead to real jobs.

  • Nasir AliNasir AliManaging Director
  • Yoonis FarahYoonis FarahDeputy Managing Director
  • Abdirashid HirsiAbdirashid HirsiOperations Manager

  • Cibaado SaeedCibaado SaeedOffice Manager, Hargeisa
  • Abdirisaq JamaAbdirisaq JamaSkills Development Manager
  • Dr. Zakaria Abdi BadeDr. Zakaria Abdi BadeM&E, Research and Learning Manager
  • Mohamed AliMohamed AliFinance Manager
  • Adan DirirAdan DirirFinance Officer
  • Bilan CumarBilan CumarSkills Development Officer
  • Hoodo MohamoudOffice Manager, Burao
  • Abdirisaq AhmedSkills Development Officer
  • Ahmed KhaliifAhmed KhaliifProcurement and Logistics Officer
  • Farhiya HusseinBookkeeper
  • Fahad AbdiFahad AbdiCommunications Officer
  • Mawliid AbdiMawliid AbdiSecurity and Office Maintenance Officer
  • Cismaan XuseenSecurity and Office Maintenance Officer
  • Calfiya AhmedOffice Support Assistant

Three bodies hold YEEL to account and set its direction.

Our highest authority. It meets every third year, approves policies, plans and budgets, reviews our performance and keeps YEEL accountable to its stakeholders.

  • Hamsa AbdullahiChairpersonPolicy advisor and governance expert
  • Farduus Mahamed DheereVice ChairpersonFounder of Siraad Initiative
  • Ahmed FarahSecretaryInternational development consultant
  • Amina WarsameTreasurerEntrepreneur and financial advisor
  • Mohamed SaleebanBoard MemberProject manager in public–private partnerships

A private-sector CEO, a university professor and a senior public-sector professional advise the management and the Executive Board.