Our Story

Somaliland Environmental and Public Development Organization (SEPDO) is a women-led, youth-driven non-profit founded in 2016 under the Ministry of Planning and National Development. We are non-partisan, non-religious and non-political, yet passionately aligned around one purpose: defending the rights, dignity and futures of women, children, internally displaced persons, minority-clan members and other marginalized communities across Somaliland and the Horn of Africa.

Preamble/Basis of our Foundation

In the next twelve months the organization was focused on aligning its purpose based on focused areas with lens on Women and Children. Focus on Women and Children was as result of lack of equality aind inclusion in education, access to justice, unfavourable justice system that is manipulated aganist Women and Children, and lack of inclusion particularly on women, children, marginalized communities, and minority-clan groups.

Organization capacity was very low and as such we focused on capacity building with focus on developing organization strategic plan, philosophy and ethical values, policies, and focused capacity development through partnership with local and international non-profit organization particularly those that were engaged in advocacy and human rights. On the initial we partnered with SIHA Network a regional Non-governmental Organization and we were engaged in several projects and program and intensive training.

At our core, SEPDO unites expertise in human rights advocacy, environmental stewardship and community development into a single, holistic mission. We safeguard women and children from exploitation and gender-based violence, secure equal access to justice for all backgrounds, and champion climate-resilient conservation practices. Through targeted programs—ranging from economic empowerment and life-skills training to legal aid and child protection networks—we break down barriers that trap vulnerable groups in cycles of poverty and exclusion.

Strategic Paths

Our strength lies in our people. A diverse team of dedicated professionals—vibrant youth, experienced practitioners and local leaders—co-designs every initiative with the communities we serve. By forging partnerships with government bodies, civil-society networks, donors and grassroots champions, we transform rights-based principles into tangible, sustainable change. At SEPDO, we don’t just imagine a fairer, greener future—we build it, together..