About Hirda

HIRDA stands for Himilo Relief and Development Association. Himilo means ‘vision’ in Somali. HIRDA is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 in The Hague by the Somali Diaspora in the Netherlands. HIRDA works with others to find lasting solutions for poverty and suffering alleviation in Somalia and in particular South and Central Somalia. In addition HIRDA also acts as a bridge between local communities and international donor organizations. HIRDA also mobilizes Diaspora to engage in the development of their country of origin.

Since 1998 HIRDA has gone through a process of professionalization and became one of the leading migrant organizations working on development issues in the Netherlands. Considering the desire to further professionalize HIRDA, to obtain structural funding from funding agencies, as well as from the constituency and to make the development work of HIRDA efficient and effective, it was considered appropriate to look back and reflect on what clear directions HIRDA should take to remain a leading Diaspora relief organization and a reliable development partner. This was done in 2008 and resulted in a Strategic Plan for the period 2009 – 2013.

In the meanwhile ongoing professionalization of the organization, diversification of funding and better visibility of the organization through communication and development of a clear profile are partially realized.

In 2009, the opportunity to be part of an alliance lead by Oxfam Novib arose which opened a door to structural funding of a part of our program in Somalia on education and women empowerment for a 5 year period. HIRDA embraced this opportunity, which meant that further elaboration on the future aims and an accordingly growth of the organization had to be assessed to be able to participate in the alliance as an equal partner.

This strategic plan for the period 2011 – 2015 is an update on the previous one, considering the mentioned changes in perspective. Like our previous strategic plan, it has been developed through a strategic orientation process in which the HIRDA board, staff and volunteers were intensively involved. This time also our alliance IMPACT professionals have contributed to it with their comments on the concept and their willingness to share their context analysis with us.

We also want to seize this opportunity to thank every individual and organization that inspired us in our developemt work in East africa
HIRDA Board