SLDC

Somali Language Data Cooperative

A Community Interest Company stewarding Somali language datasets with ethical governance, community benefit principles, and protection against extractive use

Legal Structure

Community Interest Company

Incorporated as a CIC limited by guarantee under the laws of England and Wales, operating in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and CIC Regulations.

Asset Lock & Non-Extractive Model

All income and property applied solely to public benefit purposes. No distribution of profits to members or directors except as permitted by CIC regulations.

Public Benefit Objects

Collecting, curating, governing, and stewarding Somali language datasets

Supporting education, research, and responsible AI development through ethical data access

Protecting linguistic rights, informed consent, and cultural integrity in language data use

Ensuring value derived from language data is reinvested for public and community benefit

Cooperative Principles

Transparency & Accountability

Open governance processes with clear reporting and community oversight

Community Stewardship

Shared resources governed by and for the community they serve

Informed Consent

Traceable provenance and consent for all data collection and use

Harm Prevention

Active safeguards against exploitative or harmful use of language data

Public Benefit Reinvestment

All surplus value reinvested for community and public benefit

Non-Extractive Operations

No activities primarily for private profit or exploitative purposes

Governance & Operations

Board of Directors

  • 5-7 directors responsible for strategic direction and compliance
  • Safeguarding public benefit purpose and organizational assets
  • Ensuring CIC regulatory compliance

Executive Management

  • Executive Director manages daily operations
  • Data stewardship, licensing, and partnership management
  • Staff, consultant, and contractor supervision

Data Governance & Licensing

Data Standards

  • Lawfully obtained and documented datasets
  • Respect for informed consent where applicable
  • Comprehensive metadata and provenance tracking
  • Protection against misuse or unethical application

Licensing Framework

  • Academic and research purposes
  • Non-commercial and public-interest use
  • Responsible commercial use with ethical safeguards
  • Prohibition of uses inconsistent with public benefit objects