Somaliland

Barwaaqo Voluntary Organization (BVO)
$31,060
To strengthen the capacity of women to participate in elections and political decision-making processes in Somaliland. BVO will organize workshops for women to discuss issues relating to their political rights. BVO will plan a town hall forum for women to discuss the challenges facing women’s political participation in Somaliland and the importance of active participation in political decision-making processes.

Consortium of Somaliland Non-Governmental Organizations (COSONGO)
$34,025
To conduct a campaign to encourage voter registration before the upcoming elections. COSONGO will organize public meetings and rallies, conduct two four-day workshops on the role of civil society for its member organizations, and target local press in order to broaden the campaign’s coverage. COSONGO will print 80,000 leaflets on voting and registration and continue its newsletter on topics such as democracy, voting, election monitoring, and citizen’s rights and obligations.

Institute for Practical Research and Training (IPRT)
$49,255
To increase the capacity of the Somaliland parliament to operate effectively and transparently IPRT will train parliamentary staff and continue to produce the House of Representatives bulletin, Xog Warran. It will use the Hansard System it started two years ago, the permanent record of the House deliberations and proceedings, to produce one hour programs and broadcast them on satellite television channels for domestic viewing and the Somali Diaspora.

International Republican Institute (IRI)
$100,000 *
To build the knowledge of Somaliland MPs on parliamentary procedure and augment their skills in the areas of drafting legislation, issue advocacy, working within political party caucuses and developing strong working relationships with other arms of government. IRI will implement a study tour for Members of the Somaliland House of Representatives to visit the Kenyan National Assembly and learn from its Members. Somaliland MPs will gain insight into the workings of a long-established legislature in their region.

The Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists and Writers (SSJW)
$30,000
To strengthen the independent press in Somaliland. SSJW will train journalists on ways to improve their skills and increase the professionalism of their newspapers. SSJW will supply three independent newspapers with broadsheet paper to offset their current financial difficulties and increase circulation. Reporters will receive training in operating the equipment and technical issues associated with digital photography and developing multimedia content for the internet.

Somaliland Voice of Youth (SOLVOY)
$29,035
To provide young people in Sool and Sanaag regions with civic knowledge and identify opportunities for cooperation between youth and women’s organisations. SOLVOY will mobilize a group of potential youth leaders to participate in practical civic education that emphasizes issues that are relevant and accessible to young people and then host a conference for youth and women leaders to identify paths for mutual support.

Somaliland Youth Development Association (SOYDA)
$28,075 *
To raise awareness of human rights violations in the Hargeisa, Mandhera and Gabiley prisons. SOYDA will advocate for prisoner’s rights, conduct pilot human rights trainings with prison guards, and continue its informal human rights monitoring and advocacy within the prisons.

Somaliland Youth Voluntary Organization (SOYVO)
$24,890
To encourage youth participation in democratic processes in Somaliland. SOYVO will conduct four workshops for young people in the Toghdeer region on good governance, equal representation, corruption, and participation in democratic processes. SOYVO will conduct 10 drama presentations designed to promote democratic principles and concepts. SOYVO will hold a symposium for youth, who will meet with representatives from CSOs and government.

Togdheer Youth Voluntary Organization (TOGYOVO)
$26,075
To promote best practices in the governance and management of local NGOs. TOGYOVO will work one-on-one with 20 organizations from a wide range of specialties for 15 days each to build their skills to develop effective policies and procedures, conduct a strategic planning process, enhance fundraising strategies, establish mechanisms for conflict resolution, and improve and adopt procedures associated with a highly functioning organization and staff.

Women in Journalism Association (WIJA)
$24,715
To build the technical and professional capacity of women in Somaliland’s media. WIJA will conduct two five-day workshops on basic journalism for 25 new women journalists. They will gain basic knowledge in journalism, ethics, and responsible reporting. WIJA will also conduct a five-day workshop on advanced journalism for 20 women to cover press releases, public speaking, organizing press conferences, concepts in radio and television, and how to write op-eds.

Women's Rehabilitation and Development Association (WORDA)
$26,950
To empower women in Somaliland by enhancing their knowledge of human rights, good governance, and democracy. WORDA will hold three workshops for women and young people to discuss the Somaliland constitution, human rights, electoral processes, gender issues, civic education, and how to mobilize their communities. WORDA will also conduct workshops in nine villages to disseminate information on the above issues and to establish committees in each village that are linked as a regional network.