A diaspora-led organisation working alongside Somali communities to restore land, strengthen livelihoods and build long-term resilience.
Somali Roots was founded to respond to the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, economic exclusion and climate vulnerability facing Somali communities. Our work is grounded in community leadership, long-term thinking and partnerships that deliver lasting impact.
Somali Roots exists to support Somali communities to thrive in the face of climate, environmental and social change.
Our mission is to restore degraded ecosystems, strengthen sustainable livelihoods and unlock new opportunities through community-led, climate-positive programmes. We work at the intersection of environmental restoration, economic empowerment and systems change.
By centring Somali knowledge, leadership and participation, we aim to deliver solutions that are locally rooted, globally relevant and built to endure.
We believe sustainable change comes from within communities. Our programmes are designed with, not for, the people they serve.
We prioritise approaches that deliver lasting environmental and social benefits rather than short-term gains.
We are committed to transparency, responsible governance and clear accountability to communities, partners and supporters.
We work in partnership with local organisations, institutions and experts to strengthen outcomes and share learning.
We aim to ensure that opportunities and benefits are shared fairly, with particular attention to marginalised groups.
Somali Roots is rooted in the Somali diaspora, bridging lived experience with global expertise.
As a diaspora-led organisation, we understand the social, cultural and historical contexts that shape Somali communities. At the same time, we bring international perspectives, networks and technical expertise that support innovation and scale.
This dual positioning allows Somali Roots to act as a connector — linking communities on the ground with global partners, climate finance mechanisms and knowledge institutions — while remaining accountable to local priorities and realities.
Our role is not to speak for communities, but to support platforms where Somali voices lead decision-making and shape solutions.
Our work includes:
Community-led agroforestry and land restoration
Climate-positive livelihood development
Certified carbon projects and sustainable finance mechanisms
Youth and community wellbeing initiatives
Research, learning and partnership building
Across all programmes, we focus on approaches that strengthen local capacity and create pathways for long-term resilience.
We take a systems-focused approach to development and climate action.
Rather than isolated interventions, Somali Roots focuses on initiatives that combine environmental restoration, economic opportunity and institutional alignment. By integrating community leadership, market mechanisms and policy engagement, we aim to create programmes that are scalable, sustainable and replicable.
Our work is informed by evidence, local knowledge and continuous learning, ensuring programmes evolve and improve over time.
