Print page

SOM, Com. recvr. peace. &local gov. ph02


Somalia is slowly emerging from one of the most complex and protracted conflicts. Over the past decade, peacebuilding and state-building processes, while navigating conflict, climate crisis and political fragility, maintained an incrementally positive trajectory. In investing in civil society engagement and building of local institutions and capacities all over Somalia, Switzerland is contributing in the establishment and strengthening of sustainable, community-driven, inclusive institutions necessary to deliver services and sustainable peace. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Somalia
Climate change and environment
Governance
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Disaster risk reduction DRR
Decentralisation
Public sector policy
Protection, access & security
Public finance management
01.05.2023 - 31.12.2025
 CHF  24’635’000
The project in brief
Background Somalia works on overcoming a prolonged state of conflict, political fragmentation and recurrent natural crisis. The country has progressed from a failed to a very fragile State in the last few decades, regaining more stability by investing in building up government institutions. Progress has been made notably between 2011 and 2023 with local elections, statistics, and financial reform and overall state-building processes. These gains and context remain fragile and there is need to further invest in the establishment and strengthening of legitimate, inclusive, responsive, and effective government institutions especially also in the areas newly recovered from Al Shabab (AS). Provision of services are key to establish and maintain state authority, social accountability and the social contract. Meanwhile, more stable areas are also increasingly struggling with decades of under investment, lack of resources and the direct impact of climate change causing livelihood destruction, rapid urbanization and internal displacement. Functional and inclusive local governance structures more inclusive also for women and able to providing much-needed basic services are crucial to foster peace promotion. A more peaceful and stable Somalia supports the stabilization of the broader Horn of Africa, a geo-strategic region of global importance including Swiss interests when it comes to global trade, migration and stability. 
Objectives Effective and consensus-based Local Governance anchored on local peace and community recovery 
Target groups

Outcome 1: R2P:

  • Community structures and communitybased organizations in Puntland, Somaliland and Galmudug 

Outcome 2 NIS:

  • All Federal Member States (FMS) including Somaliland and Benadir (Mogadishu) and their districts. 

Outcome 3: SJF:

  • Direct partner is the Federal Ministry of Interior and the districts (leading the decentralisation process). 

Overall the programme targets the population of Somalia; the regions and the local governments at the district level. Special focus on women inclusion and participation.
Medium-term outcomes
  1.  Contribute to the promotion of sustainable peace, cohesion and civic engagement (R2P) in Puntland, Somaliland and Galmudug
  2. Contribute to community Recovery through peace dividend projects (Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS))
  3. Contribute to sustained community recovery and inclusive local Governments with increasingly improved capacity to deliver equitable and sustainable services (SJF - Community Recovery & Local Governance window) 
Results

Expected results:  

Outcome 1 (Road to Sustainable Peace):

  • Community peace and reconciliation processes established  
  • Civic education on good governance strengthened 
  • Community governance structures and local institutions built 

Outcome 2 (NIS Foundation):

  • Outcome 1: Improved relations amongst community members and amongst the community and the state authorities. 
  • Outcome 2: Improved economic dynamics and livelihoods in targeted locations. 
  • Outcome 3: Improved capacity of the authorities to provide basic services in targeted communities. 

Outcome 3 (UN Somalia Joint Fund): 1) Policies and regulatory frameworks for local governance, and decentralized service delivery developed and implemented. (2) Strengthened community structures and capacities to contribute to more peaceful resilient, and sustainable societies; (3) Local authorities created, strengthened, and empowered to design and deliver equitable basic social services


Results from previous phases:  

Road to Peace Consortium (R2P): 

  • In 60-100% of the project areas Peace Committees are established and helped to decrease conflicts, and improve trust among citizens and government 
  • Improved environment to conduct direct elections following the delivery of civic education and training to women & men 
  • Supported local elections in Puntland, first direct elections in 50 years (50% of voters women,17% of councilors women) 

UN Joint Program on Local Governance (JPLG): 

  • 2021-2023 budget allocation to Service Delivery for Health and Education increased (Puntland/Somaliland) by 27% compared to 2020 
  • 38% increase in school enrolment and 70% of young graduates trained/recruited by local governments were women. 
  • Official registration of 25,000 property units in Baidoa has sharply increased local domestic revenue collection 
  • Improved public procurement processes with over 2’500 local government officials trained improved accountability.
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • United Nations Development Programme


Coordination with other projects and actors Peace-building and Local governance occupies a significant place within SDC portfolio: links to Durable Solutions (Saamenyta), Inclusive & Accountable Governance (IAG), WB MPF are strong. SDC closely coordinates with other stakeholders engaged in stabilization programs such as Finnish Church Aid and Somalia Stability Fund and People centred program. 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    24’635’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    4’223’356 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   7’964’268 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   38’000’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.05.2023 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.11.2021 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    EMERGENCY RESPONSE
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
    Disaster prevention and preparedness
    Public sector policy and administrative management
    Material relief assistance and services
    Public finance management
    Cross-cutting topics Conflict reduction
    Aid Type Basketpooled multi-donor fund
    Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10864

Start of page
Last update 12.03.2024