YSAT did not grow because someone invested in building it from the outside. It grew because displaced people invested in building it from within — turning lived experience into institutional strength, and determination into governance, systems, and partnerships that serve communities at scale.
YSAT was founded in 2017 by one displaced young person whose vision later attracted others who shared the same ideology — no formal structure, no external funding. Today, the organisation has 83 staff, five programme pillars, an ICT Innovation Hub, and a seat at global policy tables in Geneva, Amman, and Ethiopia. That growth did not happen by accident.
It happened entirely under refugee leadership. And it is the story of an organisation that has consistently turned lived experience into institutional strength — building the systems, policies, and relationships that transformed a grassroots movement into a credible regional actor.
The knowledge accumulated through that journey has not stayed internal. YSAT has deliberately transferred it outward — mentoring other refugee-led organisations, contributing to policy conversations, and modelling what it looks like when displaced communities lead their own development rather than wait to be served by others.
"Our founder and many of our staff live inside the communities they serve. Decision-making authority sits with people who have personally experienced forced displacement."
YSAT Institutional Identity
Every milestone below was built from within the settlement — by displaced people, for displaced people.
John Jal Dak founds the Youth Social Advocacy Team in June 2016 — no funding, no formal structure, no guarantee of what it would become. Just a vision born from lived displacement and the conviction that communities should lead their own development.
YSAT is registered as a Community-Based Organisation under Arua District on 31st July 2017, Reg. No. 503/360. Jacob Nhail Bol and Amuna Vivian join as early volunteers — the founding team begins to take shape.
YSAT serves as Secretariat for the Network of South Sudan Civil Society Organisations in Uganda — a coalition of 58 organisations. Simultaneously leads the COVID-19 response in Rhino Camp, becoming a finalist for the UNHCR NGO Innovation Award and winner of the RIL COVID-19 Prize.
YSAT's first Strategic Plan (2021–2025) is developed. NoSSCOU is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in Uganda — 31 partner organisations strengthened. The NoSSCOU website officially launches in February 2021.
World University Service of Canada begins seconding experts — 2 M&E, 2 Gender, 1 HR — to strengthen institutional capacity. The Global WholeBeing Fund supports purchase of the Odoo ERP system for 5 years across both country offices.
YSAT's Board is restructured to ensure neutrality and strong oversight. YSAT achieves direct implementing partner status with USAID through the FAA after 3 years of demonstrated capacity as a sub-awardee.
CAT 1 initiative completed — all YSAT policies updated through a co-design process in October 2024. 80 RLO and CBO representatives trained on governance, compliance, and fundraising in partnership with UNHCR. 8 local organisations sub-granted.
YSAT's permanent headquarters — refugee-owned, refugee-led — is inaugurated inside Rhino Camp in March 2025. The Arua Coordination Office opens in August 2025. The Strategic Plan (2026–2030) guides the next phase toward 820+ people through institutional development by 2030.
Becoming the fundable and findable NGO of choice by 2030 — growing in readiness, not just reach. Strengthened governance, MEAL and digital systems aligned to international standards, and a sustainability strategy backed by diversified resources and structured partnership.
Every initiative under SPA 5 builds one or more of these four foundations — the architecture that makes YSAT a durable, accountable, and self-sustaining organisation.
Building the structures, policies, and oversight mechanisms that ensure YSAT remains accountable, neutral, and mission-aligned as it grows.
Investing in the digital, financial, and data systems that make YSAT's operations real-time, evidence-based, and cost-effective.
Building the network of peer organisations, institutional donors, and civil society actors that amplify YSAT's reach and influence.
Growing the skills, confidence, and leadership capacity of YSAT's own staff — and investing in the next generation of refugee-led institutional leaders.
Combined direct and indirect reach since 2017
People served in 2025 across all five programme pillars
Organisations in the NoSSCOU network
Local organisations sub-granted and strengthened
RLOs and CBOs trained on governance and fundraising with UNHCR
Staff capacity built in professional development programmes