Somali Youth Empowerment Program (SOYEP), is a non-governmental organization founded in February 2008 by a group of youth intellectuals in Somalia. The organization is entirely youth-led and aims to improve the capacity of young people to attain sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the development of the Somali community.
The organization is based in the center of the largest youth community and focuses on assisting marginalized and disenfranchised youth and women. SOYEP operates in an inclusive manner, involving all youth in its activities. The organization’s staff is comprised entirely of youth members who work towards enabling young people to create and sustain income-generating opportunities, lead healthy lives, access the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT), and have a better understanding of their rights as citizens.
Unlike many organizations that work with youth, SOYEP empowers young people to develop their own solutions through open forums rather than imposing predetermined approaches.