SIDA III: Inclusive Livelihoods for Vulnerable Pastoral Groups (Somaliland & Puntland)

Written By Shaqodoon Communications Team

Challenge
Communities across Somaliland and Puntland continue to face persistent poverty, limited livelihood diversification, and exposure to climate shocks. Vulnerable groups, particularly pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and peri-urban youth and women, often lack the skills, resources, and financial access needed to build resilient futures. Gender inequalities, climate risks, and weak local institutions further compound these challenges, demanding integrated, inclusive, and forward-looking solutions.

Project Goals
SIDA III aims to improve the resilience and adaptive capacities of chronically vulnerable populations by enabling inclusive access to livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and climate-smart innovation. Through skills training, market access, community co-financing, and tech-enabled agricultural solutions, the project promotes equitable economic development and local ownership of long-term recovery pathways.

Key Activities

  • Digital Skills & Vocational Training: Providing intensive courses in Graphic Design and Motion Graphics to over 120 youth in Hargeisa and Garowe to increase employability and access to remote work.

  • Youth Entrepreneurship & SME Training: Delivering business skills, mentorship, and access to startup support for young entrepreneurs, especially women, across rural and urban settings.

  • Community Crowdfunding Platforms: Launching 10 community-led projects across 50 villages, using BulshoKaab to mobilize diaspora contributions and local co-financing.

  • Expansion of M‑Dalag AgriTech Platform: Enhancing farmers’ access to tractor services, agri-inputs, and localized market data through the M‑Dalag digital tool in Somaliland and Puntland.

  • Complaint Response Mechanism (CRM): Strengthening citizen accountability through SMS/IVR tools, partner staff training, and mass awareness campaigns across all target areas.

  • Community Resource Mapping and Co-Design: Supporting bottom-up planning by empowering communities to map assets, identify shared priorities, and co-develop action plans.

  • Inclusive Selection and Transparency Measures: Utilizing gamified tools and mobile-based interviews to ensure fair targeting and inclusive participation in program activities.

Expected Impact

  • 150+ youth trained in market-relevant digital and entrepreneurial skills

  • Dozens of startups launched with mentorship and seed support

  • Thousands of villagers engaged in community-driven planning

  • M-Dalag platform adopted across multiple regions

  • Increased social accountability and access to information via CRM tools

  • Improved climate-smart agriculture practices and economic resilience

More Details

  • Project Lead: Ahmed Yusuf Mohamed| a.yusuf@shaqodoon.org

  • Location: Somaliland and Puntland, and surrounding communities

  • Start Date – End Date: 2024 – 2027

  • Donor(s): SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency)

  • Partner(s): SomRep |World Vision Germany (lead), ADRA, ACF, DRC, Shaqodoon, Oxfam, CARE

  • Tags: Resilience, Livelihoods, Digital Skills, Youth Empowerment, AgriTech, Accountability

Shaqodoon Communications Team
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