Somaliland Youth Fund Privacy Policy

The Somaliland Youth Development Fund (“SYF,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs and civic leaders across Somaliland while safeguarding their privacy and intellectual property. This Privacy Policy details how we collect, store, evaluate, protect, and process personal and organizational data when applicants submit grant proposals, utilize our web portal, or track status via the official SYF mobile application.

Please review this policy carefully. By registering an account, submitting a grant proposal, or uploading application documentation, you consent to the data collection and processing practices described herein.

1. Information We Collect

To evaluate funding applications, verify eligibility, disburse micro-grants, and deliver technical support, we collect the following types of information:

• Applicant & Identity Details: Full name, national identity number, passport details, date of birth, phone number, email address, physical address, and regional jurisdiction (e.g., Hargeisa, Burao, Berbera, Borama, Erigavo, Las Anod).
• Grant Application & Financial Information: Detailed business or project proposals, operational budgets, cash flow projections, requested grant tiers, revenue history, pitch decks, and registered mobile money or commercial bank disbursement details.
• Technical and Device Data: Internet Protocol (IP) address, application reference numbers, device identifiers, web browser specifications, operating system platform, and system interaction logs.
• Verification & Geolocation Data: Location parameters (when provided via our mobile application or field validation tools) to verify regional business operations, along with submitted proof-of-concept media (photographs, business registration files, and operational site documentation).
• Authentication & Security Info: Password credentials, multi-factor login verification logs, and application status tracking tokens.

2. How We Use Your Information

We process your data strictly to manage the grant evaluation process, maintain program transparency, and fulfill administrative obligations. Specific uses include:

• Grant Application Processing & Evaluation: Screening proposals against funding eligibility rules, assigning applications to independent review panels, scoring project viability, and managing milestone-based disbursement schedules.
• Verification & Fraud Prevention: Validating applicant identity, confirming business locations across regions, preventing double-funding scams, and securing the integrity of public and donor-backed funds.
• Program Monitoring & Mentorship: Assigning successful applicants to local incubators, providing technical advisory services, monitoring post-award performance metrics, and delivering updates via mobile push notifications.
• Legal Compliance & Reporting: Aggregating anonymized data for public accountability reports, donor impact metrics, national youth development statistics, and statutory audit compliance.

3. Sharing and Confidentiality of Your Information

Your proposals remain the intellectual property of your venture or initiative. We do not sell, rent, or commercialize applicant data. Information sharing occurs strictly under the following conditions:

• With Evaluation Panels & Mentors: Proposals are shared with vetted evaluation committee members, technical experts, and mentorship partners operating under strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
• With Technical Service Providers: We collaborate with secure database hosts, identity verification systems, and mobile notification partners bound by strict data processing agreements.
• Disbursement Partners: Basic identification and account information are shared with participating financial institutions and mobile money networks solely to complete approved grant transfers.
• Under Legal Obligations: Data may be disclosed if required by an active judicial order, legislative mandate, or direct regulatory directive from authorized government oversight authorities.

4. Data Security

We employ enterprise-grade security protocols to safeguard all submitted project data and personal identifiers. Modern encryption standards (AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit) protect all communications across our web portal and mobile app. System access is restricted to authorized personnel using multi-factor login controls and strict role-based authorization layers. While we apply robust defenses, applicants are encouraged to safeguard their login reference numbers and account credentials.

5. Data Retention

We retain applicant records for as long as necessary to process funding requests, deliver incubation services, and satisfy long-term monitoring, audit, and reporting obligations mandated by program governance rules. Non-funded project files may be archived or deleted after standard program evaluation cycles conclude.

6. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to program guidelines and regulatory parameters, applicants hold the right to access their stored personal records, update outdated business details prior to final evaluation deadlines, or request account closure. Applicants can manage device access permissions (such as photo upload or location permissions) directly via their mobile device settings panel.

7. Amendments to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect structural, legal, or programmatic enhancements. We will post updates with a revised date stamp and notify registered users through the application portal or mobile notifications. Continued engagement with the fund indicates acceptance of the revised privacy framework.

8. Contact Information

For inquiries, clarification, or formal data requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact the Somaliland Youth Development Fund Secretariat: