Somalia, Sustainable Development through improved Local Governance

SDLG Somalia aims to foster inclusive local economic development (LED) by encouraging collaboration between local authorities, youth and marginalized groups in the Qardho and Garowe Districts of Puntland state, ultimately strengthening the social contract between the government and communities. 

Objective

Local authorities and young people are working together to encourage inclusive economic development at the local level. The goal of this collaboration is to strengthen trust between government and communities by creating new economic opportunities. Support will also reach other districts in Puntland indirectly through the Association of Local Government Authorities of Puntland (ALGAPL), which aims to connect local governments across Somalia for economic development networking. Throughout the programme, there will be active cooperation with local councils, executive committees, technical departments, youth groups and civil society organisations.

Approach

The programme focuses on helping local governments play a more active role in local economic development. When municipalities are able to do this effectively, it can increase trust and contribute to longer-term stability.

A key part of the approach is the establishment of Local Economic Development (LED) Forums in the target districts. These forums bring together local governments, civil society organisations, women-led groups and private sector actors. Within these forums, stakeholders identify local economic challenges, explore opportunities and coordinate actions. Promising initiatives are supported through small grants.

Collaborating with ALGAPL allows this approach to serve as a blueprint for other districts to use.

Results

Since the start of the programme we have been conducting various assessments that mapped out the economic development climate of Garowe and Gardo. These assessments serve as the foundation for discussions in the forums. Additionally, the different stakeholders who need to play a role in the LED Forum have been identified, and they have been introduced to the fundamental principles of the LED concept.

Through small contributions, we were also able to support local CSOs in carrying out their work. As a result, women with low literacy, among others, have been trained and are now better equipped to carry out their work in the market. In the coming period, the focus will be on establishing the forums, from which various LED initiatives will emerge.

Furthermore, significant attention has been given to the development of ALGAPL, which had become inactive due to the Covid-19 crisis. The association has been revitalised through the SDLG programme, enabling them to continue the results achieved through the programme.