United Nations Somalia

YOUTH PROGRAMMING 2016-17

UN YOUTH PROGRAMMING IN SOMALIA
Mapping 2016-17

BACKGROUND
Since 1995, the UN has officially recognized youth development as part of its mandate, through the adoption of
the World Programme for Action on Youth (WPAY) by the General Assembly. The WPAY provides a policy
framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of
young people around the world.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his second term identified working with and for young people as
one of his top priorities, and called for the development of a United Nations System-Wide Action Plan on Youth
(Youth-SWAP) to help bolster the work of UN entities on youth development issues.

The main objective of the Action Plan is to enhance the coherence and synergy of UN system-wide activities in
key areas related to youth development. It builds on the specific mandates, expertise and capacities of individual
UN entities, pooling the strengths of the whole system and promoting joint programmatic work.

In Somalia, the UN recognizes the role young Somalis play in the countrys peace- and statebuilding processes.
However, youth-specific programming and interventions have lacked a comprehensive and integrated long-term
approach. There has been inconsistent engagement of Somali youth in the planning, implementation and
monitoring of policies and programmes as well as very limited success in effectively mainstreaming youth issues
in the political and development processes. Failure to respond to the aspirations and needs of the countrys
youth undermines the prospect for lasting peace and stability in Somalia.

The UN Youth Strategy for Somalia has been developed to offer an integrated framework to guide and
coordinate the UNs interventions on, for, and with Somali youth.

By unifying different efforts, the UN Youth Strategy aims to maximize coverage and impact, and to ensure
sustainability - contributing in this way to the achievement of the Strategic Objectives of the UN Somalia in line
with the National Development Plan.
MANDATE
Somalia is one of the youngest countries in the world, thus engaging and empowering young Somalis is a
prerequisite for the UN to deliver on its mandate. Failure to meaningfully respond to the aspirations and needs
of 81.5% of the countrys population undermines the prospect for lasting peace and stability in Somalia.

Security Council Resolution 2232 (2015) reaffirms the important role of women and youth in the prevention and
resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, stresses the importance of their participation in all efforts for the
maintenance and promotion of peace and security and encourages UNSOM to enhance its interaction across
Somali civil society, including women, youth, and religious leaders in order to ensure that the views of civil society
are incorporated in the various political processes.

Security Council Resolution 2275 (2016) encourages UNSOM to enhance its interaction across Somali civil
society, including women, youth, business and religious leaders, and to help ensure that the views of civil society
are incorporated in the various political processes.

The implementation of the UN Youth Strategy for Somalia, part of the UN Strategic Framework (2017-2020),
also builds on the recommendations from the Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and
Security. The UN in Somalia wants to create space and equip youth with the necessary tools to play a positive
and decisive role in bringing peace, social and economic prosperity to Somalia.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
Eight out of ten Somalis are younger than 35 years old, 38% of the Somali population is aged between 15 and
35 years old, representing over 4.6 million people. However, avenues for youth to obtain an education and
gainful employment opportunities are limited and opportunities to engage politically, economically, or socially
remain weak or non-existent. The space and opportunities are even further restricted for girls and young women
due to cultural biases and traditional practices.

Participation of young people in decision-making has been challenging due to issues related to clan and cultural
affiliations, gender, age, illiteracy, and poverty, among other factors, including the prominence of elders in the
political system.

Exclusion creates frustration and demoralization among many youth. It limits capabilities and opportunities, and
constricts the contributions of youth to peacebuilding and development in Somalia. It also forces many young
people to embark on an often dangerous journey across borders, searching for better lives. Those that stay
behind are endangered by crime, drugs, radicalism, piracy and recruitment into armed groups.

The involvement of some young people especially young men but increasingly also young women in
extremist groups has led to a widespread portrayal of youth as a threat to peace and security. Consequently, the
depiction of youth in conflict is marked by a dichotomy: they are either portrayed as victims or perpetrators.
The reality is much more nuanced. Increasing evidence from the field and academic research show that youth
play active and valuable roles in peacebuilding. Yet, the potential contribution and inclusion of young people to
effective peacebuilding has received little attention and support. Young peoples leadership and roles in
preventing and resolving conflict, violence and extremism are rich resources, essential to achieving sustainable
peace, which are currently left untapped.

Improving young peoples lives is crucial for building lasting peace and stability in Somalia, but it is equally
important to recognize the role Somali youth can play as partners, not only beneficiaries.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY YOUTH?
There is no universally accepted definition of youth, it is broadly understood as a period of transition from the
dependence of childhood to the independence of adulthood and awareness of ones interdependence as a
member of a community. This definition varies from country to country, taking into consideration local contexts,
including conflict, culture, and history. As a result, youth is rather a fluid category than a fixed age-group.
At the same time, age is the easiest way to define this group, particularly in relation to education and
employment. Youth is often indicated as persons between the potential age of leaving compulsory education,
and the age of first employment. The latter limit has been increasing with recent years, as higher levels of
unemployment and the cost of setting up an independent household puts many young people into a prolonged
period of dependency.
The United Nations, for statistical consistency across regions, defines youth as persons between the ages of 15
and 24 years, without prejudice to other definitions by individual Member States. All UN statistics on youth are
based on this definition, as illustrated in the annual yearbooks of statistics published by the United Nations
system on demography, education, employment and health.
In Somalia, in accordance with the African Unions definition, youth is most commonly defined as those
between 15-35 years of age, in order to include many Somalis who did not have opportunities to access services
and public goods during years of conflict and absence of formal institutions. The official age definition will be
defined by the National Youth Policy, which will be finalized in late 2017.
To ensure statistic consistency, the UN Somalia will collect age-disaggregated data, and, when appropriate,
cluster data along three generational stages of youth: adolescent youth (15-18 years); youth (19-24 years);
and young adults (25-35 years).
The UN Somalia uses the terms youth and young people interchangeable when referring to persons aged
between 15-35 years. It is worth noting that adolescents are also an important constituency in Somalia, and
although this age group is not the focus of the Youth Strategy, adolescents will continue to be a critical target
group for many interventions of the UN Somalia, in line with international conventions.
UN YOUTH PROGRAMMING IN SOMALIA
A crucial part of the UN Somalias work remains its youth programming. In order to increase its impact and to
synergize the various interventions implemented by entities of the UN Somalia family, the strategy aligns the
programmatic response from Agencies, Funds and Programmes, as well as UNSOM, with the United Nations
System-Wide Action Plan on Youth (Youth-SWAP).

The Youth-SWAP provides strategic guidance to the UN system in its work on young people within the framework
of the World Programme of Action for Youth. It provides an opportunity to promote joint programmatic work
on youth development and to identify ways in which activities undertaken by individual Agencies, Funds and
Programmes can complement each other.

The Youth-SWAP focuses on the following thematic areas: (a) Employment and Entrepreneurship; (b) Protection
of Rights and Civic Engagement; (c) Political Inclusion; (d) Education; and (e) Health.

Particularly in the context of Somalia, and building on the recommendations of the UN Security Council
Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security, it is important to also prioritize (f) Peacebuilding as
another crucial area of work, in addition to the Youth-SWAP thematic priorities.

Mapping of UN Programming 2016/17

This mapping provides an overview of key programmes currently implemented by the UN in Somalia targeting
Somali youth along the six thematic areas of the UN Youth Strategy.

Nine UN agencies, funds and programmes and UNSOM are currently implementing a total of 18 youth projects
across Somalia, either as stand-alone interventions or as components of larger (joint) programmes.
Consolidated, a total investment of USD 28,645,000 is currently allocated to support youth programming.
THEMATIC PRIORITIES

According to the PESS 2014, 27% of youth are employed (58% male and 42% female),
with the majority of the employed (70%) in the primary sector, that is agriculture,
forestry and fisheries. The UN Somalia will work to promote greater opportunities for
Employment &
the creation and development of decent work for youth, and secure sustainable
Entrepreneurship
income and livelihoods, contributing to a virtuous circle of poverty reduction,
sustainable development and social inclusion. This will foster the demographic
dividend in Somalia.

Most Somali youth face difficult transitions to adulthood due to multiple social,
Protection of Rights economic and political exclusions. The UN Somalia will work to ensure that the
& Civic Engagement inherent rights of youth are recognized and upheld, and to enable young peoples
engagement in all aspects of the countrys development, including during crises.

Participation of Somali youth in decision-making has been challenging due to issues

related to clan and cultural affiliations, gender, age, illiteracy and poverty, and, among
Political Inclusion other factors, the prominence of elders in the political system. The UN Somalia will
work to ensure the progressive and substantive inclusion of young people in political
and decision-making processes at local, national, regional and international levels.

According to the PESS 2014, 1.7 million youth (or 44% of all young people) cant read
and write, and 62% are currently not enrolled in school (45% male, 55% female). The
Education & Skills
UN Somalia will work to ensure that young people, on an inclusive, equitable and
Development
universal basis, are actively learning in formal or non-formal education systems, and
are receiving quality education on sexual and reproductive health.

With some of the worst indicators in the world, the health of young people in Somalia
remains in a critical state. The UN Somalia will work to ensure that young people, on
Health
an inclusive, equitable and universal basis, enjoy the highest attainable standard of
physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health.

Building on the recommendations from the UN Security Council Resolution 2250

(2015) on Youth, Peace, and Security, as well as the UN SG Plan of Action to Prevent
Peacebuilding Violent Extremism, the UN Somalia will proactively seek ways to meaningfully engage
young people in peacebuilding efforts, while recognizing the important role Somali
Youth should play as partners in bringing peace and stability to Somalia.
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTIONS
EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Joint Programme on Youth Employment (YES Youth Employment Somalia)

Implementing Agencies: UNDP, FAO, ILO
and UN-Habitat (Joint Programme under Status: Partially funded, implementation ongoing
MPTF)
Location: National Banadir, Jubaland, Other Stakeholders:
Puntland and South-West regions and - Ministry of Labour
other interim administration. - Ministry of Marine Resources and Fisheries
- Ministry of Youth, Sports and Labour (Puntland)
Donors: Sweden,
Requested Budget: - Budget Allocated: $9,000,000 (USD)
Denmark, Italy
Summary:
As encouraged in the New Deal Compact, the joint youth employment programme is a frontline
intervention of the FGS to achieve rapid results under Peace and Statebuilding Goal (PSG) 4
(Economic Foundations), which identifies youth employment through job creation and skills
development as one of the most important priority projects over the next two years. The idea of a
high-visibility, government-led campaign to mobilize young people to rebuild (or build new) critical
economic infrastructure remains highly attractive from the perspectives of economic recovery and
statebuilding. The programme aims at creating sustainable job opportunities for youth by
addressing the below challenges affecting the labour supply and demand factors. The beneficiaries
targeted for this programme are the unemployed and und er-employed youth in rural and urban
areas while ensuring that women are adequately represented.
3 Main Components:
Component 1: Value Chain Development
The main objective of the value chain component of the youth employment program me is to
improve the long-term potential for growth, productivity and employment of at least six value
chains in the agriculture, fisheries, livestock, construction and hospitality sectors.
Component 2: Skills Development
Skills obtained through formal education or technical training are essential for increasing the
productivity and sustainability of enterprises and the employability of workers.
Component 3: Productive Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Following two decades of civil war and unrest, most the infra structure in Somalia remains in very
poor condition and is in urgent need of rehabilitation and/or expansion. Public work s programmes,
in addition to construction skills training s, are addressing infrastructure rehabilitation needs, such
as road construction and maintenance, or rehabilitation of irrigation systems, while creating short-
term employment opportunities. Typically, public works programmes include a component on
short-term, cash-for-work type interventions that have two main effects:
Purchasing power effect, through cash injection into the local economy
Broad-based, long-term production increase through infrastructure creation or
rehabilitation

Key Activities

Lead Agency Description Location

1st Phase: Puntland
Fish Drying Pilot Programme: Provides a holistic approach to fisheries
FAO development, comprising all aspects of the fisheries value chain -
2nd Phase: Kismayo,
from the training of youth to drying fish and training of boat-builders
Berbera
 to build new designs for fishing vessels, to assisting the Federal
Government to strengthen governance within the sector.
One Stop Youth Centre (Mogadishu): Implemented in partnership
with the Banadir Regional Administration and Banadir Regional
Youth Association (BARYA). The centre provides vocational skills
training on the construction sector and life skills training, and is also
1st phase:
a safe place for youth to meet, socialize and develop skills that will
Mogadishu/Banadir
enable them as proactive advocates for the inclusion of youth in the
UN-Habitat social, economic and political sphere. Two additional one stop
centres are to be rolled out in Kismayo and Bossaso. The first phase
2nd phase: Kismayo,
of the project has been successfully completed, with the
Bossaso, Berbera
establishment of the Mogadishu centre, while the second phase is
under development.
The youth centres are also a platform that use sports as a
tool for peace and social development.
The Shaqeyso programme focuses on vulnerable youth in Somalia
targeting 160 young people to undergone the first phase of the
programme in 2016.
The programme focuses on four main core activities based off the
new curriculum that was developed by UN-Habitat Somalia: Mogadishu, Kismayo,
UN-Habitat
a. Comprehensive life skills training Bosasso, Berbera
b. Vocational training
c. Entrepreneurship Training through Build your own
business (BYOB)
d. Community works
Urban Campaign: Bringing youth, their ideas, and their vision
together in the same space, the urban campaign is designed to foster
Mogadishu, Kismayo,
UN-Habitat and contribute to building a shared voice and identity for not only
Bosasso and Berbera
the youth but for the city as well through a series of events that focus
on cultivating a common foundation of understanding.
Results to date
Q1 2017 value chain development activity continued to focus predominantly on the dried fish sector.
A marketing study Exploring the Potential for Developing Exports of Dried Fish from Somalia was
completed. The study examined the export potential for Somali dried fish in India, Sri-Lanka and Hong
Kong. It concluded that there may be a market for higher value Somali tuna products in Hong Kong, if
concerns about food safety, quality control and traceability can be addressed. In the meantime,
Somali dried fish products should be further tested in regional (African) markets.
Sample products were produced for marketing purposes and received positive feedback and
commercial expressions of interest from Kenya and Tanzania.
In Bassaso:
Trainers supported during Q4 2016 commenced skills training on fish drying in the IDP settlements.
To date, 5 youth have completed the training in two settlements (Bula Mingis A and Bulla Elaay).
Following the skills gained, cottage based commercial production of higher value dried fish is
operational.
Samples for initial sales and promotional purposes were produced.
Final designs and BoQs (Bills of Quantity) were completed for 5 fish processing facilities, and a
competitive tender was launched for local construction companies.
The procurement process was completed for the construction of two feeder roads that will support
the processing facilities and create temporary employment for 150 youth. The activity is expected to
be initiated in Q2 of 2017.
The procurement process for fishing packages to target small and large pelagic species was
initiated, along with a contract to build a lift net fishing platform. The platform will facilitate the
exploitation of abundant small pelagic species. A contract to build a lift net fishing platform was also
 launched. The platform will enable the project to target the abundant and underexploited small
pelagic species while the development and deployment of community small scale Fish Aggregating
Devices (FADs) will improve fishing of large pelagic species.
Work on the development of improved fishing craft - which are safer, more economical and enable
on board fishing handling - continued.
A grant scheme, providing tools for young people engaged in fish drying, was designed.

Output 2.2. Programmes of vocational, business and life skills training provided
Shaqeyso (Somali for go to Work) II cohort started training in January. A total of 179 youth, out of
which 88 women, have benefited from this training.
To target the most vulnerable young women and men, the selection panned ensured that displaced
youth (35) and youth with no education (134) are included in this training.
Graduation is scheduled for April 2017.
A Human Rights Training of Trainers was conducted from 9 to 12 January 2017 in Nairobi.
A Life skills manual was completed, the finalization of the layout and editing are ongoing.
During this reporting period, preparations for upscaling of activities in Kismayo and expansion of UN-
Habitat activities to Berbera and Bassaso have been completed.
In Mogadishu, a capacity assessment of BRA Training Department has been conducted as preparation
to hand over Shaqeyso training implementation in Q2 2017 to local authorities.
Additionally, to cutting energy costs and raise awareness about sustainable environment, trainings
for youth on marketing solar products have been launched, which will also provide long-term job
opportunities.

Job Centre for the Youth

Implementing Agencies: IOM Status:

Location: Borama, Somaliland Other Stakeholders:

Donors: Netherlands
Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $600,000 (euros)
(through Oxfam Novib).
Summary
The centre provides a place where unemployed youth from Borama can acquire marketable skills and career
advice to improve their chances of finding lawful employment, without having to resort to dangerous irregular
migration. The job centre will also provide young people with opportunities to interact with experts from the
diaspora and gain entrepreneurial skills to start their own businesses. It will furthermore organize outreach
activities, including sports, debates, arts and cultural performances, career advice, and book reading clubs.
The main objectives of the job centre are:
- To offer a window of opportunity to the youth and gainful employment.
- Vocational Training [beauty, catering (new hotel in Boroma has requested for qualified
students), computer skills]
- Soft Skills Training
- Community outreach on the dangers of migration
- Linkages to incubators and opportunities to work with other organizations to fill
employment gaps e.g. computers, hard ware etc.
- To connect the young people with the diaspora
Results to date:

Youth Internship Programme

Implementing Agencies: IOM Status: Implementation started in 2015

Location: Gabiley, Boroma, Las-Anod, Berbera,
Other Stakeholders:
Bossaso, Galkayo and Garowe
Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $200,000 (USD) Donors:
Summary
Offering opportunities to unemployed university graduates to gain on-the-job experience and exposure
through collaboration with Somali Universities both private and public in a bid to build the capacity of
government agencies.
The programme specifically targets unemployed university graduates from Puntland and Somaliland, with a
total of 120 graduates to date.
Results to date: It was initially started in Somaliland 3 years ago with a 74% success rate and was
consequently rolled out to Galkayo, Bosaso and Garowe with an 84% retention/success rate.

Entrepreneurship skills for marginalized adolescent girls

Status: First phase concluded, waiting for funding renewal

Implementing Agencies: UNFPA
for second phase to re-start in 2017
Location: Hargeisa and Mogadishu Other Stakeholders: FGS MoYS and Somaliland MoYS&T
Budget Allocated/Requested: $100,000 (USD) Donors: UNFPA internal resources
Summary
This programme was created to assist young girls who have survived sexual violence, undergone forced
marriage or experienced obstetric fistula. The programme seeks to empower them socio-economically to
reintegrate back into the communities, and focuses on teaching entrepreneurial skills that young women can
use to enhance and improve their lives. Training was provided in business skills, tailoring, basket making, hair
dressing, and henna application.
Results to date: More than 80 girls graduated from the programme since 2015, each receiving start-up capital
of USD 100 and equipment, e.g. sewing machine.

Countering violence and extremism through skills training and livelihoods support for at-risk youth in
Kismayo

Implementing Agencies: UNIDO Status: Implementation completed

Location: Kismayo Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: 1,500,000 (USD) Budget Allocated: $1,050,000 (USD) Donors: Japan
Summary
The programme established local training centres and provided practical technical training in construction
related trades through rehabilitation of small-scale public infrastructure.
Providing vulnerable youth with technical, vocational and livelihoods support, integrated with life skills, the
programme contributed to economic development and community reconciliation, thus promoting stability and
livelihoods recovery in areas that had recently been liberated from armed groups.
Results to date: 12 technical trainers participated in the Training of Trainers, 240 youth trained (29% women)
in vocational skills subjects, 117 technical skills toolkits distributed to successful graduates, 6 vocational training
workshops established or strengthened. Additional 202 youth participated in dedicated conflict minimization
and life skills training. A survey covering 45% of all trainees, 98% reported that their income had increased due
to the training activities.

Community stabilization through restoring livelihoods for at-risk youth along key border areas
between Kenya and Somalia
Implementing Agencies: UNIDO Status: April 2016 August 2017
Location: Dhobley, Lower Juba Other Stakeholders:
Requested Budget: 2,000,000 (USD) Budget Allocated: $635,000 (USD) Donors: Japan
Summary
The programme provides marketable vocational skills training to contribute to youth empowerment and re-
integration into the labour market and improve income generation capacities. Technical assistance and skills
upgrading activities focus on locally relevant trades such as construction and trades relevant to the cross-
border economy, as well as skills for womens operations in the formal non-trading markets
This project was created for 300 selected youth at-risk to support them with social rehabilitation and
economic reintegration in the Newly Recovered Areas.
Results to date:
Based on the setup criteria, Kismayo and Baidoa were selected as the target areas for this project in the
first quarter, project activities are ongoing in the two districts
Youth leaders as well as communities, local authorities and state administrations were sensitized and
consulted on the process of beneficiaries identification and selection. As a result, 300 youth were
identified and registered as the direct beneficiaries of this project
Project teams prepared for the implementation
300 youth (55% females) continue to receive social rehabilitation support as well as mentoring from
experienced mentors
300 youth (55% females) started to learn market-based vocational training and education, and the training
activities are ongoing
All the preparatory work completed, as well as the construction of the market access road, the youth
center in Baidoa, while the construction of the youth sports and learning facility/theatre center in
Kismayo is going to start in the second quarter of 2017
Youth who have completed the social rehabilitation courses and wells vocational trainings have been
provided with short-term employment opportunity

No Piracy: Alternatives for Youth living in Coastal Communities in Puntland, Galmudug and
Mogadishu

Implementing Agencies: FAO Status: Proposal under development

Other Stakeholders: MoFMR, MOLYS, MOPIC, Puntland
Location: Puntland, Galmudug and Mogadishu
and Galmudug officials
Budget Requested/Allocated: $6,000,000 (USD) Donors: European Union
Summary:
The project has been developed within the MASE Programme. It specifically contributes to MASE Result 1:
"Alternative livelihoods through vocational development initiatives and advocacy against piracy are supported".
This project will contribute to the creation of sustainable skilled employment among the youth of Somalias
coastal communities based on access to currently untapped marine fisheries resources and livestock value
chain trade through a number of activities. The foreseen impact will be the improved livelihoods through the
provision of employment opportunities to youth at risk of recruitment into piracy of communities on the coast
of Somalia. The combined results will ensure that at risk households are better equipped to anticipate, resist
and recover quickly from pressures and shocks, and thus less likely to be attracted to illegal activities.
Results to date:
PROTECTION OF RIGHTS & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Youth Cluster Platform

Implementing Agencies: UNSOM HRPG Status: Ongoing

Location: South Central (mainly Mogadishu) Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: Donors:
Summary
UNSOM HRPG supported the establishment of the youth cluster to ensure the diverse efforts of youth groups
are coordinated and to provide opportunities to strengthen their capacity. The works of cluster members vary
and include youth employment, youth education, youth & human rights, youth & prevention of extremism,
youth participation in public life, human trafficking, among other areas.
Results to date:
Events recently supported for the cluster include:
- A two-day training on the rights of youth to participate in the current election process
- A panel discussion on the situation of youth and their lack of opportunities to participate
in the electoral process
- A media campaign on the rights of youth and the need to ensure they are represented,
consulted and their voices are heard in the national issues during the transit ion

Youth for Change Programme (Y4C)

Implementing Agencies: UNICEF, UNDP, ILO Status: Ongoing

Location: Benadir, Bora, Bossaso and Baidoa Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $2,400,000 (USD) Donors: Japan
Summary
This project supports rehabilitation and integration of youth into the community. The programme was
intended to increase opportunities for employment and income generation, as youth have reported financial
gain as one of the main reasons for joining armed groups. An essential part of the success of the project
intervention is the subsequent increase of young peoples capacity and their motivation to engage in positive
livelihood coping mechanisms at the community level.
The Y4C Programme seeks to contain and prevent violent conflict by engaging youth at-risk through the
creation of employment and livelihoods and educational opportunities at the district level. The Y4C joint
initiative targets 2000 at-risk youth, including young people associated with armed groups, and youth in conflict
with the law. The Y4C has in addition integrated restorative justice into its activities, which is understood as
support for Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism and Community Correction, which provides the
framework for alternatives to detention and rehabilitation, integration and reconciliation. The programme is
divided into four components:
- Outreach, Sensitization and Mediation
- Rehabilitation and personal development (Social rehabilitation and skills development)
- Reintegration
- Case Management
Youth are enrolled in a peace and social transformation curriculum, which includes: social skills, peace-
building, rule of law, governance and human rights. These are complemented by sports for peace, Islamic
religion teaching, art/drama, community volunteer activities and health education. In addition adolescents are
counselled and mentored on a regular basis to help build their resilience and systematically reinte grate back
into the community.
Results to date: Youth graduates (at least 30% female) from the social rehabilitation and economic
reintegration components of Youth for Change Phase III have been supported through the provision of
livelihood and income generation opportunities. Approximately 94 % of adult youth (18-24 years of age)
graduated from the Youth for Change Joint Initiative.
Social and civic development together with livelihood and income generation opportunities have been
provided to 380 vulnerable and at-risk youth (at least 30% female), while 350 children (of which minimum 30%
are girls) have been provided with life skills based education in 4 districts of the Puntland and South/Central
regions. The last graduation ceremony was held on 7 September 2015, with delays due to ongoing discussions
with the Ministry of Youth and Sports over their capacity and monitoring role.

Digital Reporting Internship

Implementing Agencies: UNICEF Status: Ongoing

Location: Mogadishu, Garowe Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $10,000 (USD) Donors:
Summary
UNICEF Somalias digital reporting internship aims to provide talented young Somalis with an opportunity to
develop their skills and help them express themselves through digital and traditional media. It is also an
opportunity to connect them with other young people who share the same passion in storytelling in Somalia
and beyond. During the internship, which lasts 6 months, the interns are supported by a team of professional
writers and photographers, who supervise their assignments and provide feedback to each one of them.
For the first 3 months, the internship is conducted by remote participation, where every 2 weeks the interns
will be given course materials and an assignment. Upon successful completion of the 3-month remote learning,
the interns will enter the second phase of the internship in which they will apply what they have learned to
real life assignments.

Results to date: 60 youth trained

POLITICAL INCLUSION

Governance and Rule of Law Programme: Youth Parliament and Government Participation Projects

Implementing Agencies: UNDP, UNSOM Status:

Location: Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: Donors:
Summary
This is a joint initiative between UNDP and UNSOM that aims to support the establishment of a Youth
Parliament in Somalia while also ensuring that the youth are fully engaged in the election process.
The Somali Youth Parliament (SYP) mirrors the structure of the Somalia Federal Parliament and consists of 276
young people aged 18 to 35, of which 50% are women. It was established in 2014 and has 15 parliamentary
committees. A leadership change and elections were held in the Youth Parliament late last year. Current
members were selected in November 2016 for an office term of one year.
However, the SYP has not been recognized by the Somali Federal Parliament yet, and the UNDP Parliamentary
Support Project is working with the SYP to bring attention to this matter.
Results to date:
While advocating for the SYPs recognition by the Federal Parliament, the SYP will be working with Youth MPs
of the Federal Parliament (both Houses) to:
- Enhance the capacity of youth MPs for both Houses
- Create an outreach Strategy for youth parliamentarians
- Create a forum for engaging with youth inside and outside the parliament to advocate for a shift
from clan system to elections and multi-party system
- To address youth issues through the creation for sub-committee within parliamentary youth group
- Contribute to the role of youth in peacebuilding and fighting with radicalization
EDUCATION & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Y-PEER Education Network

Status: Ongoing funding needed to scale programme,

Implementing Agencies: UNFPA
especially for expanding beyond main cities
Location: Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Garowe Other Stakeholders:
Budget Allocated/Requested: $150,000 (USD) Donors: UNFPA internal resources
Summary
The programme seeks to capacitate peer trainers through TOTs (training of trainers) activities.
The trained youth in turn train others through various platforms such as the theatre-based Peer Education,
through interactive theatre-based techniques for young people age (18-28) to utilize theatre skills and
participatory drama methodology to raise awareness on healthy lifestyles and practices. Each course comprises
of 30 training hours over a period of 6 days, using the Theatre Based Techniques for Youth Peer Education
Training Manual which was produced by UNFPA and a group of theatre experts, and includes school-based
health education to provide information on sexual reproductive health. Tens of thousands of youth both in and
out of school have been reached through these networks which have played a great role in educating the
communities on harmful traditional practices such as FGM, child marriage, dangers of early pregnancies and
early child birth, advantages of birth spacing, child birth in health facilities versus child birth at home, obstetric
fistula and HIV prevention.
The main objective of the YPEER programme is the capacity development of young people to empower them
to train other young people in the community, schools and youth centres.
A by-product of the programme are the health talks that are facilitated at the youth centres and have become
a big success in the community.
Results to date:
40 youth leaders were trained on basic Y -PEER toolkits, increasing the number of TOTs in
Somalia
22 youth were trained on theatre-based peer education and organized theatre plays
A total of 32,465 young people were reached

Skills for life in Somalia: Improving literacy levels and life skills among youth and women

Status: Ended, seeking new funding to expand the

Implementing Agencies: UNESCO
programme.
Other Stakeholders: Ministry of education, culture and higher
education, state ministries of education in Hargeisa and
Location: Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Garowe
Puntland, Al-Makthoum Foundation in Hargeisa and Puntland
and local NGOS
Budget Allocated/Requested: $1,000,000 Donors: Al-Makthoum Foundation
(USD) 18 months (2014-16)
Summary
The project contributed to improved education and livelihood conditions with a particular focus on young and
adult women, by providing learning opportunities. The project targeted out of school youth (between 14 and
29 years) and adult illiterates (above 15 years).
The aim of the project was to contribute to youth and women empowerment by addressing their diverse and
special learning needs, namely:
(i) Literacy, numeracy, problem solving and productivity skills to enhance capacity of
labour and to creatively respond to income -earning opportunities;
(ii) Knowledge and skills required for healthful living, use of new techniques of production
and intelligent and sustainable use of natural and environmental resources;
(iii) Awareness of governance and of their rights to self -hood, to independent thought, and
 (iv) Decision-making with reference to education, health and occupational pursuits.
Results to date:
A situational analysis and needs assessment on literacy and literacy programmes
undertaken to understand the root causes affecting access and quality of literacy
programmes
Strategic framework and curriculum materials for literacy and skills for life developed
6 existing Community Learning Centers supported with essential training and learning
materials (including NFE textbooks, materials, stationery, reading materials, etc.) and
equipment (including basic furniture, etc
33 literacy and skills for life master trainers and 23 facilitators trained
A total of 1000 registered adult learners have been trained in literacy in the Six Community
Learning Centers.
20 young women enrolled for the ICT course
In Somaliland 40 (20 Female and 20 Male) trained in 4 skills c ourses offered by the 2
Community Learning centers- Candlelight (Tailoring and Cookery) and HAVOYOCO (ICT and
Electricity).

Youth Education Programme (YEP)

Implementing Agencies: UNICEF Status: Ongoing

Location: Hodan, Kismayo, Dollow, Bossaso,

Other Stakeholders:
Garowe, Qardo, Galkayo
Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $2,000,000 (USD) Donors: Japan
Summary
The programme builds on achievements and investments realized under the two-year YEP intervention
supported by UNICEFs Peacebuilding Education and Advocacy (PBEA) programme ending in March 2016.
YEP will support community resilience by improving livelihood options for youth from vulnerable households
and further improve community capacities for peace and social cohesion. The programme focuses on both
boys and girls, given the value for household/community resilience of educated young people of both genders.
Notably, better educated women are invaluable assets for the wellbeing of their families as they re-invest
monetary income in the health, nutrition and education of their children.
Planned activities include:
- Equip/furbish 7 YEP centres with basic equipment and tools for new courses as well as
with printed training materials
- Provide instructors skill instructors, life skills trainers, literacy/numeracy trainers with
subject-specific refresher training/conflict-sensitive pedagogy training.
- Train 1,540 (220 per centre) IDP/host community youth (40% female) on literacy,
numeracy, and life-skills (including conflict resolution), as well as on vocational and
entrepreneurial skills in line with local labour market needs.
- Procure and distribute start-up kits (including tools) to successful trainees after
graduation; the most successful will be assisted with small seed funds to start up their own
business.
- Support Community Education Committee (CE C) member meetings on centre management
and development and peaceful conflict resolution.

Results to date:
HEALTH

Reproductive Health and Maternal Health Programmes

Status: Ended with Joint Health and Nutrition

Implementing Agencies: UNFPA
Programme, new funding anticipated.
Location: Major Referral Hospitals in: Banadir,
Danville, Dhrusamareb, Abudwak, Kismayo, Garowe,
Other Stakeholders: WHO, UNICEF and FGS
Galkayo-Mudug region, Bassaso, Hargeisa, Boroma,
Erigayo and Burao
Budget Allocated: 8,000,000 (over period 2011-16) Donors: Sweden, UK, Finland, Switzerland, USAID
Summary
This programme runs across 11 hospitals in Somalia and in over than 46 Maternal and Child Health Centers
where comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) services, including basic emergency
obstetric and neonatal care are provided to the communities This is done in partnership with hospitals across
Somalia and Somaliland and with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and civil society organizations.
Integrated community reproductive health outreach campaigns are carried out in far to reach areas across
Somalia and Somaliland
Results to date: This programme serves a significant number of young women. More than 90,000 safe and
clean deliveries were assisted in these health facilities in 2015. More than 2,000 lifesaving Caesarean section
interventions were performed in 2015. More than 60,000 new family planning clients were served both in
hospital and outreach programmes. More than 600 cases of obstetric fistula have been repaired over the
past three years most of them youth. More than 100 MCHs across Somalia and Somaliland are supported in
basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care.

Midwifery Education Programme

Status: On going since the end of the JHNP, there is

Implementing Agencies: UNFPA
a big funding gap.
Location: Boroma, Burao, Hargeisa, Lasanoid,
Other Stakeholders: Maternal Health Trust Fund
Erigavo, Bosaso, Garowe, Galkayo, Mogadishu,
(UNFPA internal)
Baidoa, Dhrusamareb, and Kismayo
Budget Allocated: $1,500,000 (USD) Donors: Sweden, UK, Finland, Switzerland, USAID
Summary
The main objective of the programme is to empower young women, provide health services and reduce
maternal mortality through skilled birth attendance.
Midwifery training courses:
- Nurse midwifery program that runs for 18 months
- Basic midwifery program that runs for 2 years
Results to date: This started in 2007 and has been increasing in scale from 2 schools to currently 15 schools all
over Somalia and Somaliland offering the services. More than 500 midwives have graduated from these
midwifery training institutions and are working in both public and private institutions across Somalia and
Somaliland with focus on rural areas. More than 500 students are currently in class in the various institutions.
PEACEBUILDING

Community Stabilization Through Socio-Economic Integration of Vulnerable Youth

Implementing Agencies: UNDP Status: Ongoing

Location: Baidoa, Kismayo Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $1,500,000 (USD) Donors:
Summary
The Community Stabilization project aims to expedite community stabilization and sustainable recovery in
Baidoa and Kismayo, which record high concentrations of vulnerable youth (IDPs, refugees, ex-offenders, and
youth at risk of engaging in illicit activities, such as piracy and terrorism).
Output 1: Youth at-risk provided with social rehabilitation support, market-based vocational training and
education and/or basic business skills 150 young adults in Kismayo and Baidoa
Output 2: Two community and/or productive assets rehabilitated
Results to date: During the Q1 reporting period, and based on the setup criteria, Kismayo and Baidoa were
selected as the target NRAs for this project in the first quarter and currently project activities are ongoing in
the two districts. Youth leaders as well as communities, local authorities and state administrations were
sensitized and consulted on the process of beneficiaries identification and selection. As a result, 300 youth
were identified and registered as the direct beneficiaries of this project.
The two training centres in Baidoa and Kismayo continue to provide 300 youth (55% women and girls), 150 in
Kismayo and 150 in Baidoa, with social rehabilitation and structured trainings in peace building, social skills,
governance and rule of law, youth empowerment and leadership and gender and environment. 70% of the
trainings have been completed.
The centres also continue to provide 300 youth (55% women and girls) in Kismayo and Baidoa with market-
based vocational training and education in; Beauty Salon, Office Management (including MS Office
Applications), Tailoring, Electricity and Carpentry. 60% of the trainings have been completed.

Rule of Law Programme: Community Policing Project

Implementing Agencies: UNDP Status: Ongoing

Location: Benadir, Baidoa, Kismayo Other Stakeholders:

Requested Budget: Budget Allocated: $900,000 (USD) Donors: Japan
Summary
The community policing initiative started in April 2015. It is part of a UNDP strategy aimed at
improving engagement between ordinary citizens and police. In this initiative, UNDP works closely
with UNSOM and AMISOM to bridge the gap between police and community, which will improve the
process of identifying and solving security problems and lead to enhanced security and safety of the
communities. The initiative helps building up citizens trust in government presence and overall
improvement in the provision of services and the Rule of Law. Youth and police work closely with the
community to restore confidence between the community and the police and contribute to a more
secure and peaceful environment. The Community Policing initiative increases community
confidence and trust by recognizing and prioritizing the role the community can play in ensuring
safety and security by better collaborating with the Somali Police.
For the initiative, young people go through the following phases:
Recruitment: The first phase of the initiative involved the recruitment of the youth volunteers. The
selection process included advertisements in the local newspapers and radio announcements. Of the
277 applicants, 199 (163 men and 37 women) underwent vetting and background checks. Each
district was allotted a certain number of youth volunteers and a team leader for each district team.
Training: An initial 5-day training at General Kahiye police academy and a second training by AMISOM
was provided in this phase. The trainings aimed at educating the youth and police officers on
community policing principles and strategies, including the importance of a functioning partnership
between police and communities in crime control. The trainings also provided information on crimes,
criminals and circumstances, and community policing views and public cooperation as essential
elements to successful crime prevention and dispute resolution.
Implementation: Since April 2016, the youth volunteers have been working as community
coordinators, alongside police in 17 districts in the Benadir region, to bridge the gap between police
and the community to build confidence in the police force. The introduction of the initiative included
five meetings between the youth volunteers and the public with the police in several districts
including, Wadajir, Hamarweyne, Hodan, Yaqdshid and Dharkeenly districts. These meetings served
to develop three-month action plans which focused on how the police can support the community
policing initiative. As part of the implementation, youth have been holding outreach activities and
community awareness raising events with different segments of the public, to inform them about
the community policing initiative and its importance in building trust between the community and
the police, and in improving citizens security. The events included community groups, womens
groups and local NGOs.
Results to date: A community policing call centre (centre 888) was established by the SPF and equipped
with 20 desktops and 70 cell phones. The centre has been receiving calls and reports from the
community on security issues and receiving complaints from the public on policing service. In
addressing community needs, the police improve police service delivery which in turn increases trust
and community confidence in police. At the end of 2016 and early 2017, the police and youth
volunteers as community support officers raised awareness among the community about the
security measures during the elections. During the period the hotline of the community policing
centre noted a significant increase in the reporting of crime. Throughout the Benadir region, 20
cases were reported during the month of November to the police, with a total of 215 calls received
in 2016. The project was also expanded to the Federal Member states, such as South west and
Jubaland. As a result, member states and the FGS have a better capacity to undertake community
policing. Based on the number of queries that were received due to the deployment of the 199 youth
in local communities in Benadir, the SPF initiated the establishment of the 888 telephone
information/ complaints centre. Further, the initiative in Baidoa has been appreciated and this has
opened the interest of the Ministry of Internal Security and Somali Police Force to undertake
community policing at the federal level and in other member states. The project also procured and
assisted the Somalia Police Force to install CCTV to increase Public safety.
Summary of budget allocation per thematic area

Thematic Area No. of Projects Budget Requested Budget Allocated

Employment &
7 projects $ 19,400,000 (USD) $ 17,585,000 (USD)
Entrepreneurship

Protection of Rights
3 projects $ 2,410,000 (USD)
& Civic Engagement

Political Inclusion 1 projects

Education & Skills
3 projects $ 3,150,000 (USD)
Development
Health 2 projects $ 3,100,000 (USD)
Peacebuilding 2 projects $ 2,400,000 (USD)
Total 18 projects $ 30,460,000 (USD) $ 28,645,000 (USD)
 United Nations Somalia
YOUTH PROGRAMMING 2016-17