Programmes

Duration: 30 September 2021 – 30 March 2023 

Country:  Somalia 

Communities: Bantu, Occupational Groups, Benadiri, Eyle and Rahanweyne 

What is this programme about?

This programme aims to equip young members of Somalia’s marginalized and minority communities with the skills and experience needed to pursue careers in the government, NGOs and the private sector. Through relevant professional development, capacity building and work experiences, we will recruit, train and mentor 10 marginalized and minority fellows through a 12-month fellowship placement in a government office. In the process, we will advance understanding and support from key Somali government officials and other stakeholders on the value of greater political inclusion of members of marginalized and minority groups in public service and politics. Ultimately, we will develop and deliver a clear and authoritative evidence base and key learning points to contribute to a robust, longer-term Somalia Marginalized and Minority Fellows Programme with countrywide coverage. 

Why are we delivering this programme?

All the targeted minority communities under this project are highly marginalized, face ongoing discrimination and experience poverty and exclusion. Members of these communities also face renewed discrimination in Somalia’s camps housing internally displaced people. They report often being excluded from decision-making, demonstrating the importance of supporting young people from these communities to gain work experience in government offices. This will allow them to establish a long-term career in which they can act as a bridge between excluded communities and the offices where decisions are made that impact them. 

What are we doing?

• Recruiting 10 fellows and ensuring they complete a 12-month work placement in a government office.
• Supporting at least five fellows to complete additional career-specific training or gain experience. 
• Organizing online support sessions for each fellow and running online group meetings with high-profile speakers.  
• Encouraging collaboration and support between the fellows through joint work. 
• Ensuring the fellows either write blogs or articles, produce vlogs or create presentations about their experiences that reach minority and marginalized community members.  
• Producing a business case and a report outlining lessons learnt. 

Who are our partners?

Marginalised Community Advocacy Network (MCAN) is a Somali community-based non-governmental organization (NGO) established in Somalia to assist vulnerable minority and marginalized groups. It was founded and is led primarily by members of minority clans in Somalia. 

Humanity and Inclusion for Sustainable Advocates (HISA) is a non-governmental and non-profit making organization founded in the year 2010 working to improve the situation of women in Somalia. It was founded by and is primarily led by members of minority clans. 

Who is funding this programme?

The U.S. Department of State supports this programme through the Foreign Assistance Act.

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Photo: Minority fellow at work in Somalia. Credit: MRG.