Maydi Newsletter: January 2026

Hi everyone, and welcome to the New Year!

As we step into 2026 we are excited to welcome you to a new year filled with momentum, collaboration and opportunity with Somalis for Sustainability. This year is shaping up to be one of our most dynamic yet jam-packed calendar of events, webinars, hackathons and community hikes to connect, inspire and empower our growing network.

In this edition, we reflect on Director Ibrahim’s recent time with the Somali North American Business and Professionals Inc. (SNABPI) in Doha, Qatar. His engagement offered valuable insights into global collaboration, diaspora leadership, and the expanding role of Somali professionals on the international stage.

We’re also pleased to share highlights and access to our 2025 Annual Report, offering a closer look at the outcomes, stories, and measurable impact of our work over the past year. From community engagement to capacity building, the report captures how collective effort continues to drive meaningful change.

Thank you for being part of the Maydi journey. We look forward to building, learning, and moving forward together throughout 2026.

S4S News 🗣️

S4S Takes the Global Stage at the Somali Diaspora Conference

In December 2025, we were invited to the 6th Annual Somali Diaspora Conference organised by SNABPI in Doha, Qatar. The conference brought together Somali professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and community leaders from across the world to reflect on the future of the Somali diaspora and what meaningful contribution looks like in practice. Under the theme Midnimo iyo Mustaqbal (United Future), discussions focused on moving beyond ideas towards long term, responsible engagement.

As part of the programme, Somalis for Sustainability took part in a panel titled Investing in Fragile Frontiers: Why Somalia Matters and How the Diaspora Can Contribute to Nation Building. The conversation explored how diaspora involvement can move from emotional connection towards more thoughtful, ethical, and sustained forms of contribution. Across different perspectives, the discussion returned to the realities shaping the Somali Horn today, particularly climate vulnerability and the close relationship between land, livelihoods, and economic stability.

Speaking on behalf of S4S, Ibrahim Abdi reflected on the fact that in the Somali Horn, the economy is inseparable from the land, and the land is central to people’s survival. Agriculture and pastoral systems remain critical to livelihoods, exports, and social stability, meaning climate shocks are felt far beyond rural communities. In this context, sustainability is not a future ambition but a present day necessity. 

Drawing on S4S’s work across education, awareness, connection, and outreach, the discussion highlighted that the diaspora’s most meaningful role is not arriving with ready made answers, but helping create the conditions for better decision making. Framed through Somali dhaqan and Islamic ethics, sustainability was discussed as a responsibility rooted in care, balance, and stewardship. When diaspora engagement is grounded in these values, it moves beyond goodwill alone towards the slower, more deliberate work of safeguarding the Somali Horn’s future.

2025 Annual Report

Somalis for Sustainability has continued to grow as a community grounded in care for our environment, culture, and collective future. This report reflects on the work we’ve undertaken, the conversations we’ve sparked, and the people who have shaped our journey over the past year.
From community education and advocacy to storytelling and knowledge-sharing, this report captures the progress we’ve made and the lessons we’re carrying forward. It’s both a moment of reflection and a foundation for what lies ahead as we continue working towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Somali communities and beyond.

Find the full 2025 Annual Report below:

Word of the Month: Horumar (Hor-u-mar) Progress

Progress is at the heart of S4S's work. Within the organisation, progress is reflected in the growth of our programs, the strengthening of our networks, and the continuous improvement of how we serve our community. Each year, we will build on the past learning to become more effective, responsive, and intentional in the way we design and deliver our work.

For the wider community, progress means tangible opportunity. It shows up in access to knowledge, skills, and connections that open doors to employment, innovation, and meaningful participation. As S4S grows, the impact extends beyond the organisation itself reaching young people, and emerging leaders who are shaping the future. Our progress is not an endpoint, but a shared journey. Grounded in trust, collaboration, and long-term vision.

🗣️ Upcoming events/news:

S4S Annual Report: 2025 in Review & 2026 Look Ahead

🌍 Join us as S4S directors take part in a guided panel, introducing themselves and outlining their key focus areas for 2026. This session offers a brief reflection on the 2025 Annual Report and will provide attendees, especially those new to S4S with a clear introduction to the organisations work as it enters a new year

📆 Friday, February 13 @ 6:00-9:00pm GMT

📍 DLT, SOAS Main Building

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