YOU-ACT: Youth Organizing for Unity and Conflict Transformation in Jowhar
Challenge
The communities of Jowhar face persistent challenges rooted in inter-clan conflict, land disputes, and limited opportunities for youth and women to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and development. A lack of inclusive platforms, insufficient mediation skills, and underutilized technological tools have hindered community-led conflict resolution and resilience-building. Without active youth engagement and innovative approaches, long-term peace and social cohesion remain elusive.
Project Goals
YOU-ACT aims to empower young people and local stakeholders in Jowhar to become leaders in conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Through inclusive dialogues, skill-building workshops, digital tools, and inter-clan collaboration, the project fosters sustainable solutions to community conflict and enhances grassroots leadership for peace.
Key Activities
Conflict Transformation Dialogue Forums: Held at the district and community level to identify root causes of conflict and prioritize locally driven solutions.
Youth-Led Icebreaker Events: Art and football sessions bringing together over 300 youth from diverse backgrounds to foster inter-clan understanding and form youth groups that champion peace.
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Trainings: Workshops targeting youth, local leaders, and women to build skills in conflict sensitivity, mediation, and collaboration.
Mediation Training for Local Leaders: Intensive training on culturally responsive mediation, negotiation, and dispute resolution, with special focus on land and resource-based conflicts.
Community-Led Intervention Planning: Sessions where diverse community groups develop needs-based action plans and mobilize resources to implement them.
Committee Formation and Data-Driven Peacebuilding: Establishing inclusive committees trained to collect and analyze data using Shaqodoon’s upgraded mobile gamification app to detect early signs of conflict and promote transparency in land tenure.
Engagement with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Capacity-building workshops to strengthen CBOs' roles in conflict prevention and development initiatives.
Crowdfunding for Peace Projects: Supporting community fundraising efforts—including diaspora engagement—through the Sokaab platform to implement priority peacebuilding initiatives.
Expected Impact
Strengthened grassroots leadership and collaboration across clan lines
Improved capacity for early conflict detection and community-led mediation
Enhanced role of youth, women, and local leaders in peacebuilding
Greater ownership of development plans through participatory planning
Increased resilience to local conflict triggers and long-term social cohesion
Joint Efforts Off:
More Details
Project Manager: Abdiqani Dirie | Email
Location: Jowhar District, Hirshabelle State, Somalia
Start Date – End Date: 2025
Donor(s): European Union (under EU Impact portfolio)
Partner(s): Local youth and women’s associations, traditional leadership structures, and the Jowhar district government
Tags: Peacebuilding, Technology and Innovation, Conflict Resolution, Youth Engagement