This project will provide free training and support to young people looking to build a just society - free from war and conflict - in Kismayo, southern Somalia. Project participants will be taught to understand the root causes of violent ideologies, ways to resist them, and how to help others do the same. They'll also be provided with skills and livelihood training, and will graduate with the knowledge and confidence to begin building more peaceful futures for their families and communities.
Situated on the southern coast of the country, Kismayo is one of the areas in Somalia most affected by conflict and the spread of violent ideologies. The city is regularly rocked by suicide bombings, and the security situation in the region is extremely unstable. Poverty and unemployment are high, and the government struggles to provide basic services, let alone security. In this context, the violent message of armed groups (such as Al Shabaab) attracts many young people.
This project will provide 50 young people living in and around Kismayo with the opportunity to partake in a skills and livelihood training course, during which they will learn to resolve conflict and recognise the dangers associated with violent ideologies. The training will be organised and delivered by our local partner in Somalia, the Social-life and Agricultural Development Organization (SADO), and will combine traditional teaching approaches with peer-to-peer mentoring.
If we can stop ideologically motivated violence before it begins, we can not only prevent further attacks but also counter violence in society. By giving 50 young people the tools to resist violence and build a peaceful society, we can help them to live safer lives now and in the future too. This project will help young people and in turn enable their families, communities and future generations to live in a just society free from violent conflict, and where their rights are respected.
