Yovenco- Youth Volunteers For Development & Environment Conservation

YOVENCO and SCAN Network successfully held the Launching Event of the SCAN Digital Platform. This collaborative platform aims to improve community-owned, community-centered accountability. Made possible by the support of the European Union.

scanplatform.org

Ogeysiis muhiim ah

Bushaaro Bulshada reer Berbera ee jecel inay bartaan Xirfadda Rakibaadda iyo Ka shaqaysiinta Qalabka Laydhka Ee Tamarta Cadceedda. Fadlan akhri shuruudaha looga baahanyahay ardayda, oo h**e iskaga diiwaangeli Dugsiga Farsamada.

Screening for Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and children under eight years commenced in Buro'a, particularly in the 4 project target locations. The intervention marks the second year of our ongoing health and nutrition response facilitated by YOVENCO's team of health workers.

Alongside the screening campaign, our teams have also initiated hygiene information sessions for parents and caregivers project locations, focusing on safe hygienic practices during mobile nutrition activities. These efforts aim to strengthen community health awareness and ensure children and families receive quality, safe nutrition services.

Together, we continue to promote healthier communities and stronger child well-being across all project target locations.

A Milestone for Our Greenhouse Farmers in Burao!

Under the Resilient Futures Project implemented by Plan International and YOVENCO, greenhouse beneficiaries in Aqil-Yare and Barwaaqo IDP camps are celebrating their first successful harvests!

On October 5, 2025, the greenhouse team in Aqil-Yare IDP proudly harvested 44 kg of tomatoes. After a short coordination meeting outside the greenhouse, they organized and sold 60% of the produce, while agreeing to use the remaining 40% for household food and nutritional support. This balanced approach helps families improve nutrition while generating income to cover operational and maintenance costs.

Meanwhile, in Barwaaqo IDP, farmers harvested 90 kg of fresh crops earlier on October 5, 2025, marking a major step toward enhanced household food security and resilience.

“For the first time, we are harvesting what we planted with our own hands — this gives us hope and motivation to work harder,” said one of the greenhouse female beneficiaries in Barwaaqo.

These achievements reflect the communities’ dedication and the project’s efforts to promote climate-smart livelihoods and food security for drought-affected families in Burao. 💪

🌿 Building Community Trainers for Climate-Smart Farming in Barwaaqo and Aqil-Yare IDPs

From 27th to 31st July, YOVENCO, with support from -International, conducted a five-day training for Community Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) from Barwaaqo and Aqil-Yare IDP camps. These participants are not just learners—they are also beneficiaries of the greenhouses recently constructed in their communities.

The training blended three days of theoretical learning with two days of hands-on greenhouse practice, equipping these trainers with the skills to support their communities in adapting to climate change through sustainable, food-secure agricultural practices.

During the practical sessions, the ToTs harvested existing crops and planted new ones—putting theory into action and taking a lead role in promoting climate-resilient farming. These trainers will go on to share their knowledge with fellow IDP community members, amplifying the impact of the project.

This initiative is a key step toward strengthening community-based resilience, food security, and livelihoods, especially in vulnerable, displacement-affected areas.

🌱 Growing skills. Growing food. Growing futures.

YOVENCO, in collaboration with the International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) and the Sahil Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs, successfully concluded a two-day training workshop on labor laws, protection rights, and social security for 35 women TVET trainees preparing to enter the fisheries sector.

Held at Alloore Hotel from July 28–29, 2025, the training focused on key provisions of Somaliland’s Labor Law, including maternity leave, workplace safety, grievance mechanisms, and gender equality. Importantly, the sessions also highlighted the rights of persons with disabilities, emphasizing the need for inclusive and non-discriminatory work environments.

The Sahil Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs actively participated throughout the training, and the Executive of the Sahil Regional Office officially closed the workshop, reaffirming the government's commitment to decent and equitable labor standards.

YOVENCO Organization, in close collaboration with the Berbera Economic Forum (BEF) and other diverse community based organizations along with the Berbera Local Government, has organized two subsequent activities focusing on climate change vulnerabilities and policy solution.

These activities were held with the aim to spearhead local efforts toward tackling climate change effects and decentralizing the National Climate Change Policy in the district level. It raised community awareness on climate change vulnerabilities particularly on coastal communities, increased multi-stakeholder engagement toward climate adaptation and mitigation, and proposed meaningful strategies to fully adopt national policy for maximized local impact.

This was made possible by the generous contribution of the .

YOVENCO hosts Job Fair Event in Berbera, under the emblem of "advocating for potential employers on women's internship programmes and employment", in a close collaboration with the Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs & Family, the Local Government and International Solidarity Foundation. The event has attracted many employers, including many local businesses, public institutions and international companies based in Berbera.

The event marks the first of its kind that presents and opens up real opportunities for women to access the local labor market.

YOVENCO Child Rights Champions proudly participated in the first-ever Somaliland National Children's Conference, where child advocates came together to highlight key issues affecting children across the country.

During the conference, YOVENCO child right champions had a unique opportunity to meet directly with the President of Somaliland to raise their voices on matters of great urgency, including:

1.The protection and promotion of children’s rights
2.the need for improved services for children with disabilities
3.The creation of a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where all children can grow and flourish — physically, mentally, and socially.

This milestone gathering underscores the powerful role children and young people can play in shaping policies that affect their future. Yovenco remains committed to strengthening partnerships, raising awareness, and delivering solutions to safeguard the well-being of all children in Somaliland.