Neighbors for Nations is a partnership between the Somali-American community in Minnesota and humanitarian organizations. It has two goals: to provide relief and development programs in Somalia, and to build understanding between Somali-Americans and other Minnesotans. The program is developing concepts like a food truck, billboard campaign, and venture fund in Minnesota, and a youth center in Somalia to provide job skills training and address unemployment among young men.

2. NEIGHBORS FOR NATIONS
The time is now. Minnesotans are uniting with our Somali-American neighbors
to strengthen our communities here in Minnesota and address the humanitarian
crisis in Somalia. Neighbors for Nations joins the energy and heart of the
Somali community; the open spirit and creativity of Minnesotans; and the
expertise and technical know-how of the American Refugee Committee.
Two Interconnected Goals
In Somalia Design, fund, and implement a high impact, efficiently
delivered and tangible program that provides lifesaving relief
and longer-term development.
In Minnesota Give entire communities the opportunity to unite and engage
to deepen understanding, build stronger neighborhoods, and
create a new direction to address desperate humanitarian
need in Somalia.

3. PARTNERS
Internally Displaced Somalis Advisory Council
Made up of 11 Somali professionals – 5 women and 6 men - the Council has taken a leadership role in
reaching out to the larger Somali community with the Neighbors for Nations program.
American Refugee Committee
With 30 years experience in humanitarian relief and development work, the American Refugee Committee
has worked throughout the world in Europe, Asia and Africa, including a program in Somalia in the 1990s.
City of Minneapolis
Minneapolis has a rich history of diversity. The region also prides itself on a strong spirit of hospitality
and generosity towards new arrivals; Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, in particular, has taken a lead in this
regard. Keith Ellison, the �irst Muslim Congressperson, is the city’s representative.
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Funding the initial efforts to develop Neighbors for Nations local concepts for engagement, the United Way
has recognized the need for a new approach for Somalia and the Somali diaspora in the United States.
UCare
Challenging the Twin Cities by matching up to $50,000 in individual donations to Neighbors for Nations,
UCare is leading the way in innovative solutions to building strong and healthy communities.

4. PROCESS – Shared Assessment in Somalia
In June 2010, a four-person assessment team – two ARC senior staff members and two representatives from the council –
traveled to Somalia, visiting Garoowe, Galkaayo and Boosaaso. On the mission, they documented the humanitarian situation,
identified and visited partner organizations, and laid groundwork for the roll out of a program in 2011.

5. PROCESS – Deep Engagement
Success is dependent on the ability of the program to be authentically grounded in the local diaspora
community. The goal is to create a city-wide initiative that engages the Somali community and the broader
local community in a meaningful and innovative way.
IDEO – the world’s leading human-centered design firm – was brought on-board to develop practical
concepts for engagement. They immersed themselves in the local community and met people from all
walks of life including Imams, moms, elders, teenagers, doctors, lawyers, business owners, and community
organizers. They also conducted focus groups with members of the broader community.

6. PROCESS – Community Meetings
To gain input and support from the Somali diaspora community regarding our proposed relief program in Somalia, we have
hosted a series of seven Town Hall Meetings at mosques, community centers and shopping malls. We have also met with nearly
100 Somali imams, business leaders, students and acedemics based in Minnesota to solicit feedback and buy-in for the program.
In total, we’ve reached more than 800 people and received significant feedback and encouragement for the program.

7. CONCEPTS - Within Minnesota
Food Truck
The food truck will bring Somali culture into the mainstream. The truck will feature
crowd-sourced menu items from the Somali community and will offer employment and
business mentoring opportunities for Somali youth. Agency dividends will directly support
the Somalia-based program.
25% of our profits go
to Neighbors for
Nations: Uniting
Communities to
Help Somalia, a
humanitarian project
by ARC
to nourish
SOMALI FOOD WITH SOUL

8. CONCEPTS - Within Minnesota
Billboard Campaign
A media program displayed throughout the city. The campaign would portray Somali-Americans
in a positive light, focusing on their status as contributors to the culture and economy.
It would take a fun and lighthearted view of both Somalis and Minnesotans.

9. CONCEPTS - Within Minnesota
Venture Fund
A fund to invest in the local Somali community by start new Somali-funded businesses.
Leading business people are being recruited to assist with mentorship, business-plan
development, and in-kind services. Agency dividends will directly support small business
development in Somalia.

10. CONCEPTS - Within Minnesota
The Somali Young Scholars program
ARC funds two community-selected Somali college students to go to Somalia for a summer,
engage with field workers and refugees in ARC camps, and post stories from the field to the
Somali community in MNSP. Involvement in the program helps connect young people with their
homeland and reassures Somalis in the US that ARC is doing the “right thing” in their country.

11. Program Insights - Somalia
ARC program team must be based in Somalia, not Nairobi
Small but powerful Somali lead projects do good work all over Somalia , any future
program must build on this
After 20 years conflict, program strategy must be designed with dual objectives –
both urgent/lifesaving relief and longer-term development
A Somalia- based program team implies a need to start activities in the more stable
regions of the country such as Puntland and Somaliland
A critical need is programs that address the chronic unemployment of young men
The old way of aid won’t work, the program must try new approaches

12. CONCEPTS - Within Somalia
First step: Youth center
Construction of a youth center is already underway. The center will focus on:
Building employment skills for young
men – e.g. carpentry, mechanics, welding,
and community health work
Training soft skills such as financial
and computer literacy
Providing information on critical health
issues and substance abuse
Creating a concrete path toward real jobs
and livelihoods through partnership and
capacity-building with existing local
businesses