On September 3, 2026, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia convened a National Impact Forum at Marriott Executive Apartments Addis Ababa to highlight the achievements of its five-year Leave No Youth Behind (LNYB) project and call for sustained national action to ensure young people transitioning from alternative care can build resilient, independent and dignified lives.
Held under the theme “From Care to Independence: Building Sustainable Pathways for Young People” the forum brought together government representatives from the FDRE Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the Addis Ababa Bureau of Women, Children and Social Affairs, representatives from the Embassy of Denmark, development partners, financial institutions, civil society and youth-led organizations, young care leavers, academia, media and SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia staff. Together, participants reflected on the progress achieved through the project and discussed how its lessons and gains can be sustained beyond its five-year implementation period.
The forum began with an exhibition showcasing the work and achievements of young care leavers and their associations. Through interactive displays, youth entrepreneurship showcases and personal stories, different care leaver associations presented their work, experiences and aspirations, while highlighting the ways in which they are supporting other young people in similar circumstances. The exhibition provided participants with an opportunity to engage directly with young care leavers and see firsthand the progress they have made as individuals and as organized groups.
Following the exhibition, Mr. Sahlemariam Abebe, Multi-Country Director for SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia and South Sudan, welcomed participants and reflected on the importance of the collective effort behind the project’s achievements.
“These achievements have been made possible through the collective efforts of our government partners, donors, civil society organizations, and, above all, the strong and resilient young people who are the true owners and champions of this work,” said Mr. Sahlemariam Abebe.
He emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the responsibility to support young people transitioning from alternative care does not end with the conclusion of the project.
“No child or young person should ever be left behind. The progress achieved through Leave No Youth Behind demonstrates what can be accomplished when young people, government, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders work together. Our responsibility now is to sustain these gains and build systems that enable every young person leaving care to thrive independently,” he said.
This call for continued commitment was echoed in the keynote address delivered by Mr. Kristian Westad Bertelsen, Political Advisor to the Ambassador of Denmark to Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti and Sudan and Permanent Representative to the African Union. He reaffirmed the Danish Government’s commitment to empowering young people globally and in Ethiopia, recognizing the impact achieved through Leave No Youth Behind. While acknowledging the progress made, Mr. Bertelsen also emphasized the importance of reflecting on the remaining gaps and continuing to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders. He expressed his anticipation of seeing how young care leavers will continue to take ownership, lead and turn their ambitions into opportunities and solutions in the years ahead.
Providing the official opening remarks, Debebe Barud (PhD), Senior Special Social Protection Advisor at the FDRE Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and Special Advisor to H.E. Ergogie Tesfaye (PhD), Minister of Women and Social Affairs, reaffirmed the Government of Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening systems that enable young people transitioning from alternative care to participate meaningfully in the country’s social, economic and political development.
“No young person, whether they have transitioned out of care or not, should struggle simply to survive from day to day. It is our collective responsibility to provide young people with comprehensive support so that they can become agents of change and cornerstones of development within their communities and society,” said Debebe (PhD).
He further emphasized that achieving this requires more than government action alone, highlighting the importance of collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders.
The opening remarks were followed by a powerful video screening that brought to life the challenges faced by young people transitioning from alternative care, while also showing the change and possibilities that can emerge when young people are provided with the right opportunities, support and determination.
Building on these reflections, Mr. Anketse Birhanu, National Portfolio Manager for Youth Empowerment Projects at SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Leave No Youth Behind project. He outlined the project’s objectives, key achievements and lessons, while highlighting some of the major barriers faced by young care leavers, including challenges in accessing legal identification, financial services, employment and other essential services.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the five-year project was designed to address critical barriers faced by young people leaving alternative care, including limited access to employment, financial services, social protection, housing and sustainable livelihoods.
Through its implementation, the project reached 1,259 young care leavers, strengthened three young care leavers’ associations representing 749 members, supported the establishment of the National Coalition of Young Care Leavers Association, and contributed to the establishment of a Family SACCO, a savings and credit cooperative founded by young care leavers. The project also reached approximately 2.5 million people through media campaigns and community awareness activities.
Alongside these direct interventions, the project placed strong emphasis on strengthening the systems and policies surrounding young people transitioning from care. In collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia supported the development and adoption of the National Minimum Standards for Preparation of Leaving Care and Aftercare Support, advocated for the recognition of young care leavers within national youth policy, supported improved access to legal identity, and contributed to the inclusion of young care leavers within the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS+).
The project also strengthened the capacity of more than nine government sectors and structures, with 1,407 care professionals and government social workers receiving capacity-building support to improve care, protection and social protection services for young care leavers.
While these achievements demonstrate the progress made at both individual and systems levels, the forum also created space for young people themselves to reflect on what this progress has meant in their lives and what challenges remain. During a reflection session, young care leavers took the lead to share their experiences, raise questions, and call for continued support. Their contributions highlighted both the opportunities created through the project and the barriers that young people continue to face as they transition into independent adulthood.
These reflections fed directly into the panel discussion that followed, moderated by Mr. Lijalem Baileyegn, Fund Development and Communications Director at SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia. The panel brought together Mr. Andualem Tafesse from the Addis Ababa Bureau of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Mr. Belete Dagne from the FDRE Ministry of Women and Social Affairs; Mr. Andualem Getachew, SOS Children’s Village Addis Ababa Programme Location Director; and Mr. Abadir Seid from the National Care Leavers Association Coalition Ethiopia.
The discussion explored the progress made through Leave No Youth Behind, the challenges that remain and the role of different stakeholders in sustaining and strengthening the work. Panelists also reflected on lessons from the project and the importance of continued government ownership, partnership and meaningful youth participation, particularly as SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia continues its broader journey towards alternative care reform.
A special moment during the forum was dedicated to recognizing strategic partners whose commitment and support contributed to the implementation of Leave No Youth Behind. Crystal awards were presented in appreciation of their partnership and contribution to advancing opportunities for young people transitioning from alternative care.
Closing the forum, Mr. Eyob Bekele, President of the National Care Leavers Association Coalition Ethiopia, emphasized that the forum should be seen not as a conclusion, but as a renewal of commitment to building sustainable life pathways for young care leavers. Reflecting on the coalition’s role, he highlighted how young care leavers were able to contribute their voices and experiences to the development of the National Minimum Standards, demonstrating the importance of meaningful youth participation in policies and decisions that affect their lives. He also highlighted the significance of celebrating the National Care Leavers Day for the first time and called for the continued inclusion of care leavers in national discussions and decision-making spaces.
Mr. Eyob emphasized that young care leavers are not merely recipients of support, but leaders, advocates and agents of change with an important role to play in shaping stronger systems for themselves and those who will come after them. He concluded with a heartfelt message to fellow care leavers, reminding them that their journey in care does not have to define their future and that the coalition remains committed to standing alongside them.
Despite the progress achieved through the project, thousands of young people transitioning from alternative care continue to face barriers to decent employment, adequate housing, social protection, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods. Addressing these challenges will require continued policy attention and stronger coordination among government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and youth-led organizations. As the Leave No Youth Behind project concludes its five-year implementation period, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia emphasized that its achievements should serve as a foundation for continued national action. The policies, partnerships, youth-led structures and institutional capacity strengthened through the project provide important building blocks for sustaining and scaling what has been achieved.
The National Impact Forum therefore reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that the progress made through Leave No Youth Behind continues beyond the project period, and that young people transitioning from alternative care are supported to build resilient, independent and dignified futures.