Higsi Foundation

Higsi Foundation is a Somali-founded, Somali-led non-governmental organization established in 2023 that operates across Somalia and the Horn of Africa. It focuses on empowering youth through four program areas: education, leadership, sports, and community empowerment. The foundation runs initiatives like community learning hubs for out-of-school children aged 8 to 16, a Youth Leadership Academy, women's leadership forums, and Football for Development programs led by UEFA- and CAF-qualified coaches.

The foundation serves out-of-school children aged 8 to 16 by providing literacy, numeracy, and life-skills through community learning hubs. It also targets young people, women, and broader communities through leadership academies, forums, and gender-transformative empowerment work. These programs aim to shift participation and leadership norms within the communities they serve.

To get involved, individuals can donate directly to fund community learning hubs and leadership programmes. The foundation also invites potential funders, partner organizations, and community members to connect via their contact channels. There is no formal booking system mentioned, but engagement is facilitated through their website and direct communication.

The foundation operates in three regions and has reached more than 500 young people since its establishment in 2023. It is registered in Somalia and maintains operational bases in Mogadishu, Somalia, as well as connections in Birmingham, UK. The organization reports having 12+ years of coaching experience despite being founded in 2023.

The foundation distinguishes itself by being Somali-founded and Somali-led, built from within the community rather than importing external models. It leverages 12+ years of sector expertise across Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland, and the Horn of Africa to ensure deep local knowledge. Additionally, every programme and resource is designed in both English and Somali from the outset.

The core services include community learning hubs delivering literacy and numeracy, a Youth Leadership Academy, women's leadership forums, and Football for Development programs. These are supported by coach-educator programmes and gender-transformative community empowerment work aimed at shifting underlying norms. The foundation also publishes resources like the book 'Coaching for Impact: From Grassroots to Greatness'.

The foundation emphasizes a bilingual approach, designing every resource and communication in both English and Somali. It also integrates sport as a hook to drive attendance and retention in its education hubs. The approach is described as gender-transformative, aiming to shift norms regarding who participates and who leads in the community.

The foundation's mission is to inspire excellence and create opportunities through education, leadership, sports, and community empowerment. It holds values of excellence, integrity, innovation, inclusion, leadership, and service, prioritizing community-defined needs. The name 'Higsi' reflects the Somali act of rising, building, and reaching upward with purpose.

The foundation states that its founder and team are not external development professionals but are part of the Somali community. They share culture, language, history, and investment in Somalia's future. This authentic leadership is a key differentiator mentioned on their website.

The foundation aims to build leaders at every level, from youth discovering their voice to programme managers. It focuses on empowering individuals and strengthening communities through specific, tangible opportunities like a place in a learning hub or a mentoring relationship. The goal is to transform futures by centering those most excluded.

The foundation's website mentions a 'Coaching for Impact: From Grassroots to Greatness' book as part of its resources. It also offers quarterly updates from the field via email subscription. The contact page provides specific email addresses for general inquiries and partnerships, along with social media links for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

The official website of Higsi Foundation is higsifoundation.org.