About Us
Serving together for social development in Somalia
We are a female-led NGO based in Somalia dedicated to providing lifesaving relief in emergencies and development assistance to the most vulnerable people recovering from conflict, disaster, and the impact of climate change.
About us
STS International Solidarity is a non-governmental organization based in Somalia, committed to providing crucial relief and development assistance to vulnerable communities affected by conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. Our organization collaborates with women, children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and returnees to foster resilience, protect their rights, and improve their well-being through a range of initiatives and programs.
At STS International Solidarity, we are dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to achieve sustainable livelihoods, access to food security, promote democracy, and human rights while fostering peaceful development through innovative and participatory approaches. Our organization began its operations following the tsunami earthquake disaster that struck the north-eastern coastline of Somalia in 2005. Together with our partners, we have been addressing the critical needs of vulnerable communities in various sectors, including development and education.
Our organization operates in the South and Central regions of Somalia, with its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. We have an operational office in Mogadishu, Somalia, and liaison offices in Baidoa, Merka, Dhusamarab, Jowhar, and other South-Central States. STS International Solidarity delivers programs directly in five regions, including Middle Shebelle, Lower Shebelle, Banadir, Bay, Bakool, and Hiraan regions of South-Central Somalia. We also have a Liaison Office in Nairobi, Kenya.
At STS International Solidarity, we remain committed to ensuring the most vulnerable communities in Somalia receive the necessary support for resilience-building, sustainable development, and long-term prosperity. We aspire to expand our reach and impact in the coming years, as we continue to partner with stakeholders and donors towards the achievement of our shared goals.
STS International Solidarity is an active participant in various coordination clusters and sub-clusters throughout Somalia, including the Food Security and Livelihood Cluster, WASH Cluster, Protection Cluster, Child Protection Sub-Cluster, Shelter, and Education Cluster. In our operations, we maintain a commitment to the principles of the ‘do no harm’ approach, as well as the Somalia Code of Conduct.
Our Code of Conduct serves as the foundation for our humanitarian and development work, ensuring that we operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities, and strive to provide aid based on need alone, without discrimination or favoritism.
At STS International Solidarity, we pride ourselves on upholding the humanitarian principles of saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining human dignity, particularly in times of crisis. We recognize the importance of delivering aid in a principled and effective manner, without further exacerbating the already challenging situation faced by communities in Somalia.
Through our adherence to these principles and codes of conduct, we are able to build trust with the communities we serve, and effectively deliver programs and initiatives that support their resilience-building and long-term development. As we continue our work towards improving the lives and well-being of the most vulnerable people in Somalia, we remain committed to upholding these principles and codes of conduct in all of our operations.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to improving the livelihoods and promoting the rights of individuals and communities, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized including victims of wars, disasters, exploitation and abuses.
We work to empower communities to achieve sustainable development, access to basic needs, and equal opportunities, through innovative and participatory approaches. We strive to create lasting change by promoting inclusive and democratic societies, protecting human rights, and fostering peacebuilding efforts.
Our Vision
We envision a world where everyone, particularly the most vulnerable have equal access to quality basic social services, rights, and opportunities, and where conflict and poverty are replaced with sustainable development and durable peace.
Geographical Focus
We work in South Central Somalia where poverty, conflict, and inequality are most acute. We collaborate with local partners and stakeholders to ensure our interventions are context-specific and responsive to local needs and priorities
Our Core Values
Inclusivity:
We value diversity and promote inclusive participation in all our interventions, recognizing that everyone has a contribution to make towards sustainable development.
Accountability
We are accountable to our stakeholders and partners, and we ensure transparency and integrity in all our operations.
Innovation:
We embrace innovation and continuously seek new and effective ways of addressing development challenges.
Sustainability
We strive for sustainability in all our interventions, recognizing that lasting change requires long-term investment and collaboration
Empowerment
We empower communities to be active agents of their development, promoting ownership, and participation in all our interventions.
Partnerships
Partnerships are essential to achieving our mission and goals at STS International. We work closely with a range of partners, including local communities, civil society organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector entities. Our partnerships are built on shared values and a commitment to creating sustainable change.
We believe that partnerships should be mutually beneficial, with each partner bringing their strengths and expertise to the table. We value open communication, transparency, and accountability in our partnerships, and work to ensure that our partnerships are based on trust and respect.
Our partnerships are diverse and varied, reflecting the complexity of the challenges we seek to address. We work with a range of partners, including:
- Local communities: We work closely with communities to understand their needs and priorities and to develop programs that are locally led and sustainable.
- Civil society organizations: We collaborate with civil society organizations to strengthen their capacity to promote human rights, democracy, and sustainable development.
- Government agencies: We work with government agencies to advocate for policies and practices that promote sustainable development and the protection of human rights.
- Academic institutions: We partner with academic institutions to conduct research and develop evidence-based programs that promote sustainable development and social justice.
- Private sector entities: We engage with the private sector to leverage their expertise and resources to promote sustainable development and social impact.
In all of our partnerships, we prioritize accountability, transparency, and learning. We regularly assess the impact of our partnerships and adjust our approach as needed to ensure that we are achieving our shared goals. Ultimately, our partnerships are key to achieving our mission and creating sustainable change in the communities where we work.
STS Strategic Plan (2023-2026)
STS International Solidarity (STS) Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 is grounded within renewed global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Strategic Plan sets the organization’s course for the next four years. It outlines the many ways that STS, working in partnership, can most efficiently save and change lives.
Our Capacity
STS International Solidarity has demonstrated strong technical, institutional, and financial capacity in Somalia. The organization has a team of highly skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds and extensive experience in various programmatic areas, including Education and Protection, Health and Nutrition, WASH, Governance and Peace Building, Livelihood and Economic Empowerment, and other areas.
STS has a proven track record in project cycle management, enabling the organization to support government agencies, stakeholders, and development partners in designing, managing, and appraising emergency, resilience, and development activities at the community, district, state, and federal levels.
The organization has established partnerships with a broad range of like-minded partners, including UN agencies such as UNFAO and UNICEF, as well as other international organizations such as CARE International. STS’s comprehensive experience in Somalia and throughout the region, coupled with its reliability in harsh conditions, has enabled the organization to tailor programs and support beneficiaries in line with each donor’s specific requirements, local culture, laws, and wider international conventions.
STS International Solidarity emphasizes transparency and clear communication in all its processes, ensuring that donor objectives and beneficiary needs are the top priority in planning and execution. The organization prides itself on having local staff implementing all the programs, which enables the organization to have a deep understanding of local customs and a well-established relationship with local leadership.
Through these capacities and relationships, STS International Solidarity has gained the trust of the Somali people and has implemented projects successfully, demonstrating its ability to make a significant impact on the lives and well-being of vulnerable communities in Somalia.
Our Impact
STS International Solidarity has made significant strides in impacting the lives of individuals and communities. Our impact is evident in the positive changes we have brought about in the communities we serve. We remain committed to our mission of improving the lives of vulnerable communities and promoting peaceful development.
Our work has resulted in improved socio-economic conditions, increased food security, and strengthened human rights. Our interventions have also contributed to reducing conflict and violence, while promoting peaceful development.
Through our various programs, we have empowered youth and women by providing them with vocational training, which has enabled them to gain practical skills and secure employment opportunities. Our health programs have also provided access to healthcare and education on hygiene practices, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced morbidity and mortality rates.
Our efforts to improve access to safe water and sanitation have resulted in improved hygiene practices and reduced the incidence of waterborne diseases in the communities we serve. Through the construction of hand-dug wells, boreholes, water reservoirs, and water pans, we have created access to clean and safe water sources for people, while installing latrines in remote villages.
Additionally, our efforts to promote human rights have contributed to increased civic participation in the communities we serve. Through our programs, we have raised awareness of human rights issues, and empowered communities to take action to address these issues.