Youth at the Heart of Peace: In Somalia, Over 700 Young People Step up to Lead

July 2025

In Somalia, where over 70% of the population is under 35, the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda –launched globally under Security Council resolution 2250 – is more than a global framework, it is a lifeline for the country’s future. However, Somalia’s youth remain largely excluded from decision-making, their voices muffled by structural barriers and generational hierarchies. Education, employment, and civic space remain out of reach for too many. That’s where the YPS agenda, and the Peacebuilding Fund’s targeted support come in.

Youth leading peace initiatives in Jowhar

“The community has come to recognize that youth and women are essential to local development whether in raising awareness, preventing conflicts, fostering peace, or improving livelihoods,” Said Abdirahman, YOU-ACT participant.

Young Somalis are stepping forward as agents of change, bringing positive energy, innovation, and knowledge to address conflicts and rebuild trust in their communities. They are mediating inter-clan disputes, promoting peaceful land use, addressing environmental tensions, and rebuilding trust. And they are doing it with innovation, energy, and local legitimacy.

One of the most impactful efforts is YOU-ACT (Youth in Action: Empowering Youth to Contribute to Peaceful Transition in Jowhar) a project implemented by Shaqadoon, a prominent Somali-led NGO focused on youth and women’s economic empowerment, supported by the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and jointly managed by FAO and IOM.

In Jowhar, Middle Shabelle, the project equips young people with tools to resolve local disputes—particularly over land and water—through a combination of traditional dialogue and innovative digital solutions, such as a gamified cadastral mapping app. This innovative tool is designed to engage youth and local communities in mapping land tenure and identifying areas at risk in conflict-prone regions. Still in its testing phase, the app enables users to collect real-time data on resource-based disputes using GPS-based verification. It also offers young participants a hands-on opportunity to deepen their understanding of land tenure systems and explore how digital tools can support more inclusive and sustainable land governance in fragile contexts. Importantly, it also helps identify priority areas for infrastructure investment that can promote peace and unlock local development potential.

“I first heard about the project through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and had the opportunity to take part in its official launch”, says Fartun, a female participant. “In the past, youth had little to no visibility in major decision-making processes—these responsibilities were left entirely to the elders. However, since the YOU-ACT project began, youth have gained a seat at the table and are helping shape the direction of their communities. [..] I would describe this project as one that has created valuable opportunities for youth—reaching more than 700 young people, with over 70% actively engaged. They are now well-equipped to lead awareness campaigns and play a significant role in conflict resolution and peace promotion within their communities.”

PBF’s engagement goes beyond funding.? By aligning its initiatives with Somalia’s broader development and peace strategies – such as the upcoming YPS National Action Plan – PBF is helping institutionalize youth participation. It’s a move that ensures inclusion is not temporary but embedded in national policies and frameworks.

“Previously, their [youth] role in major decision-making processes was minimal, with elders making those decisions alone”, says Abdirahman. “However, since the introduction of the YOU-ACT project, youth have become integral to shaping the direction of their communities.”

“I would describe the project as successful. It has opened the eyes of a part of the community. I would like to see regular training sessions that continue to build youth capacity in peacebuilding and political leadership”, says Hassan, who adds “my hope for the YOU-ACT project is that it creates job and skills-based opportunities for youth, training them in ways that will improve their lives and allow them to play an active role in building peace.”

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has been integrated throughout the initiative, amplifying the voices of young women and ensuring their leadership is recognized.

“Both women and youth played a central role in the project. Notably, women accounted for approximately 48% of all participants involved in the activities, reflecting strong gender inclusion”, says Farhiyo. Another participant highlighted that youth, and women are the backbone of local affairs, whether it's in raising awareness, preventing local conflicts, peacebuilding, or improving community wellbeing.

In Jowhar, conflict transformation dialogues created a much-needed space for community members to come together, build consensus on local priorities, and address long-standing tensions. What made these sessions particularly powerful was their inclusivity—women and persons with disabilities made up 47% of participants, ensuring that voices often excluded from decision-making were finally heard.

Isak Xaydar, a participant with special needs, reflected: “Through open dialogue and mutual understanding, we believe this meeting marks a significant step toward lasting solutions for disputes over natural resources.”

Looking ahead

As Somalia moves toward finalizing its YPS National Action Plan, the groundwork built by youth-led efforts and PBF-supported initiatives is proving invaluable. These efforts are not just building local peace, they are demonstrating what national ownership of peacebuilding can look like.?

In Jowhar, youth are already leading the way. During the Conflict Transformation Forums held in May 2025, young people collaborated with elders, religious leaders, and local officials to unpack the root causes of local tensions—from land disputes and inter-clan grievances to unemployment and social exclusion. The forums led to concrete action plans, including the launch of youth-led employment campaigns and peace clubs in local schools, the creation of dialogue hubs for inter-clan mediation, and the development of community-owned mechanisms to monitor early warning signs of conflict.

“I hope this project continues to reach more young people across the country, allowing others to benefit from the same opportunities we have received through YOU-ACT,” Nasteho, YOU-ACT participant

With the 10th anniversary of the global YPS agenda approaching in December 2025, Somalia’s experience offers a powerful message: when given the chance, young people don’t just imagine peace – they built it.? Their stories are proof of what’s possible when inclusion is more than a principle – it’s a practice.

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