About Us
Who We Are
Young Africans for Peace and Development (YAPAD) is a local, youth and women-led nonprofit organization operating in Kenya and Ethiopia. Established in 2019, YAPAD was founded by a diverse group of dedicated and professional youths and women who envisioned a harmonious, peaceful, and empowered society in the Horn of Africa.
YAPAD works to unite youth, women, and other stakeholders from various communities to promote cohesion, integration, and sustainable development. The organization employs a competent and dedicated team guided by the principles of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and transparency.
With active offices in Nairobi and Mandera (Kenya) and Moyale and Jigjiga (Ethiopia), YAPAD continues to strengthen community resilience and transform vulnerable groups into agents of peace and positive change.
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Vision
To promote harmonious and inclusive communities where youth, women, and marginalized groups are the champions of peace, development, and environmental stewardship.
Mission
To build resilient and cohesive communities in the Horn of Africa by supporting youth and women-led initiatives that drive socio-economic transformation and sustainable development.
Core Values
- Honesty and Integrity Commitment
- Respect
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Service to humanity
- Creativity and Innovation
Our Story- Why YAPAD Was Formed
YAPAD was born out of the urgent need to address the decades-long conflict, insecurity, and marginalization that have affected the shared border regions of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. These areas have long suffered from armed conflict, violent crime, extremist attacks, political instability, and the devastating effects of climate change.
Insecurity often stems from resource competition, clan power struggles, and environmental degradation, which have collectively weakened local livelihoods and created a cycle of poverty and violence.
Recognizing these challenges, YAPAD was founded to break these cycles by empowering communities with the right information, resources, and opportunities, enabling them to become champions of peace, development, and resilience.
How We Work
YAPAD adopts a community-centered and participatory approach that ensures sustainability and ownership of every project.
We engage local leaders, youth groups, women associations, and government institutions to co-create solutions tailored to community needs.
Our interventions are guided by:
Evidence-based research and needs assessments
Gender-sensitive programming
Partnership and collaboration with key stakeholders
Continuous monitoring, learning, and accountability mechanisms