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

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RAF: Resilience Design & Land Tenure Interventions in Jowhar, Hirshabelle