About Us
- Who We Are
Community Initiative for Inclusive Growth and Resilience (CIGRO) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing inclusive growth and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable and marginalized communities in Somalia and similar fragile contexts.
CIGRO was established in response to persistent socio-economic inequalities, fragility, displacement, and recurrent climate and conflict-related shocks that undermine people’s ability to live with dignity and security. The organization works at the community level, supporting sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion, and locally driven solutions that reduce vulnerability and build long-term resilience.
CIGRO places people at the center of development. The organization prioritizes women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable host communities, ensuring that development opportunities are inclusive, accessible, and equitable.
Our Vision
Resilient, peaceful, and inclusive communities capable of withstanding climate shocks, managing conflict, and driving sustainable development.
Our Mission
To strengthen community resilience and inclusive growth through locally driven, conflict-sensitive, and climate-informed humanitarian and development interventions.
- What We Stand For
CIGRO believes that sustainable development is only possible when communities are empowered to lead their own progress. The organization combines practical economic interventions with social inclusion, resilience building, and capacity strengthening to generate lasting impact beyond short-term assistance.
CIGRO operates through participatory approaches, strong local partnerships, and evidence-based programming, working closely with communities, local authorities, civil society actors, and development partners to co-create solutions that are contextually relevant and sustainable.
Our Core Values
Community Ownership
Communities are drivers of analysis, decision-making, and implementation.
Inclusivity & Equity
Women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups are prioritized.
Conflict Sensitivity & Do No Harm
Programming actively reduces tensions and strengthens cohesion.
Accountability & Integrity
Transparency, ethical practice, and accountability to affected populations.
Sustainability
Focus on long-term adaptive capacity and resilient local systems.
- Our Approach
CIGRO applies a people-centered, conflict-sensitive, and results-oriented approach. Interventions are informed by community needs assessments, market analysis, and continuous learning. The organization seeks to bridge humanitarian response with sustainable development by strengthening local systems, skills, and capacities.
Cross-cutting approaches include:
I. Gender equality and social inclusion
II. Conflict sensitivity and political economy analysis
III. Climate risk analysis and adaptive programming
IV. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
V. Localization and partnership with local actors
- Who We Serve
CIGRO prioritizes support to:
I. Women-headed households
II. Youth and unemployed populations
III. Persons with disabilities
IV. Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
V. Vulnerable host communities
- Organizational Presence
CIGRO maintains a decentralized operational presence to ensure effective coordination, oversight, and community-level implementation.
I. Vision Plaza, Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Kenya – Coordination Office: Provides strategic leadership, partnerships and resource mobilization, compliance oversight, program design, and technical backstopping.
II. Kismayo, Jubaland – Field Office: Implements community-based resilience, livelihoods, and peacebuilding programs.
III. Garowe, Puntland – Field Office: Oversees climate resilience, inclusive growth, and community systems strengthening interventions.
IV. Baidoa, South West State – Field Office: Supports livelihoods recovery, climate adaptation, social cohesion, and community-led resilience programming.
- Governance and Management
CIGRO is governed by a Board of Directors responsible for strategic direction and fiduciary oversight. Day-to-day operations are led by an Executive Management Team, supported by program, finance, administration, and MEAL units.
- Theory of Change
Statement
If vulnerable and conflict-affected communities are supported with locally led, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive interventions that strengthen livelihoods, climate adaptation, social cohesion, and community systems, then they will enhance their capacity to withstand, adapt to, and recover from climate shocks and conflict, because empowered communities, inclusive growth, and strong local institutions are the foundation of sustainable resilience and peace.
- Results Framework
Impact:
Resilient, peaceful, and inclusive communities with improved capacity to manage shocks and achieve sustainable development.
Outcomes:
1. Enhanced climate and environmental resilience
2. Improved inclusive economic growth and livelihood security
3. Strengthened peacebuilding and social cohesion
4. Strengthened community systems and local capacity
- Accountability & Integrity
CIGRO is committed to transparency, accountability, and ethical practice. The organization upholds strong internal controls, safeguarding standards, and monitoring systems to ensure responsible use of resources and accountability to communities, partners, and stakeholders.
- Our Commitment
CIGRO exists to support inclusive pathways out of vulnerability. By investing in people, strengthening community systems, and promoting resilience, the organization contributes to sustainable, dignified, and self-determined futures for communities facing complex and overlapping challenges.