About us
Established in 2020
How did we start
The Somali community in the Netherlands, a minority within minorities, has its roots in refugees who were initially accommodated in asylum centers and later spread across the country. The first generation maintained strong bonds due to their shared cultural background, while the second generation grew up in both Somali and Dutch cultures.
This second generation strives to combine individual development with strengthening bonds within the community, forming the foundation for Stichting SOMI, founded in 2020 by a group of young Somali-Dutch women in Eindhoven. With a focus on online and physical events and the involvement of the “Somi Voices,” they bring empowerment, inspiration, and support to the Somali community in the Netherlands.
How did we start
Mission
We believe in unity and togetherness and are eager to build a community that supports, strengthens, and inspires one another. We use Islam, our shared religious background, as the guiding principle to fortify our community. By sharing and respecting our beliefs and standards, we create a community that retains our common values while embracing new challenges and opportunities.
At SoMi, we organize fun events throughout the year, both online and in person, offering opportunities to get to know and network with each other. This provides a platform to learn, grow, and develop together.
We aim to continually focus on strengthening our identity and preserving our culture and values, while at the same time embracing new ideas and perspectives. Our slogan:
Vision
We envision a united community, bound by our shared Islamic heritage, that supports, strengthens, and inspires one another while preserving our common values and embracing new opportunities.
Through unity and shared purpose, we aim to connect, support, inspire, and motivate every member of the Somali community, ensuring that our vibrant culture and values continue to thrive in the modern world, and that our legacy is passed down with pride and honor.
We have the legal form of a foundation and the statutory name is Stichting Somali Millennials. And we have the registered office in the municipality of Eindhoven.
Chamber of Commerce number: 85115436
RSIN: 863514340
Objective: The objective of SOMI Foundation is to share knowledge and inspire and empower the Somali community. The foundation strives to strengthen social cohesion and promote personal and professional development within the community.
Number of board members: 9
We consist of an Executive Board with no persons employed. There is also an Advisory and Supervisory Board.
E-mail: somali.millennials@gmail.com
Social media: @stichtingsomi & @somientrepreneurs & @somitalk (on all platforms)
Realisatie Stichting SOMI 2024
SOMI is a community that empowers and supports the Somali community by inspiring the next generation and engaging the older generation. The organization was created in 2020 from the need to connect Somali youth, empower the younger and older generation, and support and inspire the Somali community as a whole. Islam serves as a common thread to strengthen the community by sharing and respecting beliefs and norms. SOMI’s vision is to create unity and togetherness within the Somali community in the Netherlands. They want to achieve this by:
- Organizing events, both online and physical, to get to know each other and network.
- To discuss topics that contribute to the knowledge of the individuals. Covering different topics such as education, health, language, religion, career and culture.
- To strengthen identity and preserve culture and values while embracing new ideas and perspectives.
- With the mission to connect, support, inspire and motivate the Somali community where it can and is needed.
SOMI focuses on different aspects within the Somali community:
- SOMI Podcast: unites the community through interesting and relevant conversations on current topics.
- SOMI Entrepreneurs: creates a community of Somali entrepreneurs in the Netherlands through a knowledge network.
- SOMI Talk: discusses everything related to Somali culture, with the goal of learning, preserving and nurturing the culture.
- SOMI Professionals: Helps connect professionals where young professionals have the opportunity to learn from the senior professionals.
SOMI is there for anyone who wants to learn about Somali culture or has other ambitions to increase their knowledge. Therefore, everyone is welcome to join SOMI! You can find the fully policy plan here.
The SOMI Foundation has no profit motive. This is also stated in the statutes of the foundation.
The SOMI Foundation receives its income through grants, donations, grants, grants, donations and ticket prices.
The SOMI Foundation has an obligation to keep thorough records. These records must clearly show the amounts paid per committee member as reimbursement of expenses, as well as the expenses for fundraising and management of the foundation. This also applies to all other expenses, specifying the nature and extent of the foundation’s income and assets.
The board members of the SOMI Foundation make a voluntary commitment and receive no remuneration. The Development team bears responsibility for the management of the assets and accounts for them by means of a balance sheet and income statement. All income of the foundation, the balance of income and expenses, goes entirely to the stated objectives.
At the end of the financial year, which coincides with the calendar year, the treasurer, together with the development committee, closes the books and draws up a balance sheet and a statement of income and expenditure for the past financial year. These documents are adopted at a finance meeting following the end of the fiscal year. After approval by the board members, the records are published.
In the event of the dissolution of the SOMI Foundation, the Development team will allocate any surplus balance in such a way that it will be distributed to a public benefit organization with a purpose similar to that of the foundation.
The SOMI Foundation will report annually on the general and financial state of affairs. This will meet the applicable standards of transparency and social accountability.
Want to volunteer at our next event?
Be part of our unique team, shaping a stronger Somali Millennial community together. Join us now!
