About
Our Principles
The standards that guide our work
Our guiding principles are local ownership, research integrity, inclusion and conflict sensitivity. They shape how we design, deliver and follow up every assignment.
Local ownership
Somali communities and institutions help define priorities and assess proposed responses. Programme design should strengthen existing institutions rather than replace them.
Research integrity
Methods fit the questions a partner needs answered. Findings explain their limitations, and their quality is checked and discussed with stakeholders before they are finalised.
Inclusion
Women, young people, displaced people and host communities take part in shaping and questioning findings, using existing local structures wherever possible.
Conflict sensitivity
We consider how an intervention could affect local tensions, identify conflict and access risks early, and plan around them.
Informed participation and confidentiality
People take part with a clear understanding of how information will be used, and we protect confidential information.
Connected action
We link humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding where this serves local needs.
Have a study or programme in mind? Let’s talk.
We work with government institutions, UN agencies, development partners and civil society on commissioned research, dialogue and capacity strengthening.