Board-Led  ·  Youth-Led  ·  Rights-Based  ·  Est. 2026

Developing Communities.
Advancing Justice.

A board-led, youth-led Civil Society Organization working at the intersection of sustainable development and social justice — serving communities across Ethiopia.

✦ Rights-Based  ·  Gender-Responsive  ·  Community-Owned
<27
Founders' age
2
Flagship programs
5,000+
Youth to reach by 2029
6
Strategic objectives
Y4DJ
Youth In/For Development & Justice

Who We Are

Y4DJ is a board-led, youth-led Civil Society Organization registered in Central Ethiopia Region, headquartered in Hosehana City. Established in 2026, Y4DJ is founded and governed by young professionals — all under the age of 27 — with expertise in law, data science, and community health. We are a rights-based organization committed to empowering youth in all aspects of development and justice.

Board-Led Youth-Led Rights-Based Est. 2026 Registered CSO Hosehana, Ethiopia
About Y4DJ

We are part of the
community we serve

We are not outsiders arriving with answers. We are part of the community we serve — building the change we want to see through two focused, rights-based program pillars that address development and justice in every dimension.

🌱

Development Program

Youth economic empowerment, advocacy for services and infrastructure, and community resilience — in all aspects of development.

⚖️

Justice Program

Human rights education, legal empowerment, policy advocacy, and accountability for a just Ethiopia.

Our Flagship Programs

Two programs. One rights-based mission.

Y4DJ's two program pillars work together to address all dimensions of youth development and justice in Ethiopia. Every activity is grounded in international human rights standards.

🌱

Development Program

Empowering youth in all aspects of development — economic, social, environmental, and civic — across Ethiopia.

  • Vocational training & marketable skills for employment
  • Youth entrepreneurship & small business development
  • Women's economic empowerment & leadership
  • Advocacy & collaboration for access to public services and infrastructure
  • Youth civic engagement & local governance participation
  • Environmental sustainability & disaster preparedness
Strategic plan target by 2029: 2,000+ youth trained (min. 50% women & girls), 300+ businesses supported, 1,000+ women in leadership programs.
Rights-Based & Gender-Responsive
⚖️

Justice Program

Promoting and defending the rights of youth and communities through legal empowerment, advocacy, and accountability across Ethiopia.

  • Human rights education & community awareness campaigns
  • Policy advocacy & youth-friendly legislation reform
  • Legal awareness & access to justice for communities
  • Business & human rights compliance assessments
  • Youth participation in governance & decision-making
  • Community justice & dispute resolution support
Strategic plan target by 2029: 3,000+ youth receive rights education, 2+ policy changes achieved, 500+ people receive legal support.
Human Rights & Rule of Law
Our Strategic Objectives

Six objectives. One generation of change.

Y4DJ pursues six transformative objectives spanning development, justice, gender equality, and human rights across Ethiopia.

01

Youth Participation Platform

Connecting youth with governmental and non-governmental development programs and initiatives to ensure their meaningful participation.

02

Economic Empowerment

Vocational training, entrepreneurship development, and job placement support to build sustainable livelihoods for youth in all aspects.

03

Gender Equality

Empowering young women and girls through education, leadership development, and economic opportunities in every program activity.

04

Policy Advocacy

Lobbying for youth-friendly policies and legislation, promoting youth participation in decision-making at local and national levels.

05

Community Resilience

Empowering youth to lead disaster preparedness efforts and champion sustainable environmental practices in their communities.

06

Business & Human Rights

Ensuring businesses operate in line with human rights and environmental standards to foster responsible and inclusive development.

Mission & Values

What drives us every day

Our Mission
To empower youth as agents of change by promoting sustainable development and advancing social justice through inclusive, rights-based community initiatives, advocacy, and partnerships across Ethiopia.
M
Our Vision
A just, inclusive, and prosperous Ethiopia where every youth — regardless of gender, background, or circumstance — enjoys full rights and participates meaningfully in development and justice.
V
🧭

Youth Leadership

Young people at the center of every decision we make

🤝

Inclusion & Equity

Equal access with focus on the most marginalized

🔍

Accountability

Transparent governance and responsible stewardship

⚖️

Human Rights

All work grounded in international rights-based principles

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Sustainability

Programs built for lasting community ownership

💡

Innovation

Creative, data-driven approaches to community change

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Partnership

Collaboration multiplies our reach and deepens impact

♀️

Gender Justice

Feminist principles applied across all programs

Planned Impact 2026–2029

Our commitment to measurable change

2026–2027
Phase 1 · Foundation
2027–2028
Phase 2 · Growth
2028–2029
Phase 3 · Full Impact
500+
Youth reached through pilot programs
≥50%
Women & girls in all activities
2+
Institutional partnerships established
1
Program office operational in Hosehana
1,000+
Youth reached across both programs
100+
Youth businesses started or supported
1,000+
Youth receiving human rights education
1+
Policy advocacy campaign underway
5,000+
Youth directly empowered through both programs
300+
Youth-owned businesses started or supported
3,000+
Youth receiving human rights education
2+
Youth-friendly policy changes achieved
500+
People receiving legal awareness & aid
50+
Businesses assessed for HR compliance
1,000+
Women & girls in leadership programs
5
Community infrastructure projects facilitated

Strategic roadmap: 2026–2029

Phase 1 · 2026–2027 · Foundation
Build all governance and operational systems. Establish Hosehana headquarters, hire founding team, secure first institutional funding, and launch pilot programs across both the Development and Justice pillars.
Phase 2 · 2027–2028 · Growth
Scale programs to reach 1,000+ youth. Deepen partnerships with NGOs, government, and UN agencies. Begin policy advocacy campaigns. Expand geographic reach across Ethiopia. Operationalize the full MEAL system.
Phase 3 · 2028–2029 · Full Impact
Deliver full-scale programs across all six objectives. Reach 5,000+ youth, achieve 2+ policy wins, publish Y4DJ's first Annual Report, and build lasting financial sustainability through diversified partnerships.
Organizational Capacity

Fully documented. Professionally governed.

📂

All organizational documents available to verified and trusted partners

Y4DJ has developed a complete set of governance, programmatic, financial, and HR documents meeting international NGO standards. These are available upon request to any verified and trusted partner, donor, or institutional body.

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Constitution & Bylaws

🎯

Strategic Plan 2026–2029

📋

Organization Profile & Capacity Statement

🛡️

Code of Conduct & Safeguarding Policy

💰

Financial Management Policy

👥

HR Policy & Salary Scale

📊

MEAL Framework & Reporting Templates

📝

Project Proposal Template

💌

Mission, Vision & Core Principles

Our Team

Young, qualified, committed

🎓

All founders under 27 — part of the communities we serve

Y4DJ is built by young professionals from Ethiopia who are close to the communities we serve. Our founding team holds degrees in law, data science, and health — combining rigorous expertise with authentic community roots and a firm commitment to rights-based development and justice.

ED

Executive Director

Founder & Leader
Law graduate · Youth advocate · Community builder · Under 27
LO

Legal Officer

Justice Program Lead
LLB · Human rights specialist · Policy advocate
DS

Data & M&E Officer

Evidence & Learning Lead
Data science · MEAL systems · Technology innovation
DO

Development Officer

Development Program Lead
Development background · Community mobilizer · Program designer
Careers & Opportunities

Join the Y4DJ team

Y4DJ is building a passionate, skilled, and values-driven team. We welcome young professionals, volunteers, interns, and partners who share our commitment to development, justice, and human rights.

🌟

Why work with Y4DJ?

Y4DJ is a board-led, youth-led organization where every team member is genuinely part of the mission. We offer a rights-based, inclusive workplace with professional development opportunities, meaningful community impact, and a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.

📌

Current status: Y4DJ is in its early establishment phase (2026). We do not have paid vacancies open at this time. However, we actively welcome expressions of interest from volunteers, interns, and consultants. As programs grow, positions will be advertised here first.

Volunteer

Program Volunteer

Support Y4DJ's Development or Justice program activities in communities across Central Ethiopia. Contribute your skills to vocational training, rights education, community outreach, or advocacy campaigns.

Passion for youth empowerment Any background welcome Flexible commitment
Internship

Program & Research Intern

Gain hands-on experience in NGO program design, MEAL, community development, legal advocacy, or communications. Internships are unpaid but provide certificates, mentorship, and real-world impact experience.

University student or graduate Law / Development / Data / Health 3–6 months
Consultancy

Short-Term Technical Consultant

Y4DJ periodically engages technical consultants for specific assignments in areas such as MEAL, legal research, training design, financial management, communications, or program evaluation.

Specialist expertise Assignment-based Open call as needs arise
Governance

Advisory & Board Engagement

Y4DJ welcomes senior professionals with expertise in development, law, gender, finance, or organizational management who are interested in contributing to our governance and strategic direction in an advisory capacity.

Senior professional Governance experience Voluntary basis

Express Your Interest

Even when no specific vacancies are advertised, we always welcome expressions of interest from motivated individuals who believe in our mission. Send us your CV and a brief note on how you would like to contribute to Y4DJ's work.

Get In Touch

Partner with Y4DJ

Whether you are a donor, government body, NGO, community organization, or individual who believes in youth empowerment — we want to connect.

📍

Address

Hosehana City, Central Ethiopia Region, Ethiopia

📧

Email

info@y4dj.org.et

📞

Phone

+251 — [To be updated]

🏛️

Legal Status

Registered CSO · Central Ethiopia Region · Est. 2026

"Empowering Youth. Advancing Justice. Building Tomorrow."

Y4DJ is fully documented, deeply committed, and ready to partner. We welcome funders, governments, NGOs, and communities who share our vision for a just and developed Ethiopia.

Send us a message