City University of Mogadishu
Dhalinyarada and Doodda Mustaqbalka: Promoting Youth Debate about the Future of Somalia
$151,287
To strengthen the capacity of Somali student leaders to participate in and contribute to the national civil and political dialogue. The organization will work with a network of universities in Somalia to organize lectures and student debates on key governance issues, fostering new understanding from university students on policy and building connections between young people in different places. Through online media and at an annual event, student presentations will improve the visibility of young people in the debate over Somalia’s future.
Conflict Dynamics International
Dialogue for Conciliation around the Role of the Upper House
$99,930
To build political consensus on the role of the Upper House of Somalia’s federal parliament. The organization will conduct desk and field research, organize facilitated discussions with key political actors, civil society representatives, and women leaders to reconcile the interests of various Somali constituencies–including those of the executive, the legislative branch, traditional customary arrangements, and the public–and develop a framework for inclusive dialogue processes. It will target key political and civil society stakeholders from throughout the country to build consensus around potential options for the structure and functions of the Upper House of parliament.
Hayaan Insitute for Research and Policy Studies
Strengthening Accountability and Transparency
$130,830
To enhance institutional mechanisms and citizen support for Puntland’s democratization process prior to the 2020/21 transition. The organization will host a series of public forums and television and radio programs to build public awareness of and advocacy for credible elections. It will also strengthen the Transitional Puntland Election Commission (TPEC)’s capacity to deliver those polls. With supplemental funds, the organization will expand existing program activities and organize a three-day training for representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) to better understand the country’s newly developed electoral model, the fundamental rights afforded to citizens in the provisional constitution, the importance of citizen participation in elections, and the roles CSOs can play in ensuring credible polls.
Hiraal Institute
Enhancing Public Ownership in the Security Debate
$39,500
To increase government responsiveness to citizen input in security sector decision-making. The organization will conduct primary and secondary research identifying local grievances and security trends throughout Somalia. It will also conduct virtual public forums and develop reports with policy recommendations analyzing security realities and how to integrate citizen priorities into security policymaking.
Marqaati
Assessing Information and Corruption
$90,840
To improve citizens’ access to accurate news in Somalia and accountability in Somalia’s institutions. The organization will monitor viral news stories, operate a platform of verified news and news sources based on core indicators to help Somalis identify deceptive or inaccurate news. It will document reports of corruption, identify the geographic areas and government agencies engaged in corruption, issue public reports, and advocate for greater accountability through public and private meetings with relevant government and political leaders.
Mudug Peace and Human Development Organization
Building the Capacity of Local District Councils
$43,525
To enhance the capacity of the newly elected local district council officials in Galmudug. The organization will train councilors on local governance structures and best practices, opportunities to facilitate public participation, and their roles in developing democracy within the state. Local facilitators will provide a background of decentralization, both as a general concept as well as its history in Somalia, and use that to explain how it manifests in the modern state. Participants will also learn about various types of authorities on the local level and how they are distinct from state and national authorities, as well as how these authorities relate to citizens and how to engage the public in order to be responsive to their priorities.
Somali Journalists Syndicate
Media For Human Rights
$98,800
To promote human rights in Somalia through documentation and advocacy. The organization will train journalists in all six Somali states on how to investigate and report human rights violations to build public awareness and facilitate policy change. The organization will also conduct five training of trainer human rights workshops to build a pool of experts who can train additional journalists, build a network of journalists countrywide, and advocate for press freedom and journalists’ rights throughout Somalia.
