{"id":124860,"date":"2021-11-22T09:42:16","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T07:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/?page_id=124860"},"modified":"2025-03-06T13:32:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T11:32:15","slug":"promoting-inclusive-local-governance-in-somalia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/promoting-inclusive-local-governance-in-somalia\/","title":{"rendered":"Promoting inclusive local governance in Somalia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"block-hero full-width id-block\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00123_HD.jpg');\">\n\n\t<div class=\"bg-mobile\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00123_HD-1024x576.jpg');\"><\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"curtain\"><\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inner-blocks entry-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<h1 class=\"is-style-brush\" ><span class=\"bg\">\nPromoting <span class=\"is-highlighted\">inclusive<\/span><\/span><br><span class=\"bg\"><span class=\"is-highlighted\">local governance<\/span><\/span><br><span class=\"bg\">in Somalia\n<\/span><\/h1><h1 class=\"is-style-brush mobile\" ><span class=\"bg\">Promoting<\/span><span class=\"is-highlighted\"><span class=\"bg\">inclusive<\/span><\/span><span class=\"is-highlighted\"><span class=\"bg\">local<\/span><span class=\"bg\">governance<\/span><\/span><span class=\"bg\">in<\/span><span class=\"bg\">Somalia<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>LOCAL GOVERNANCE <\/strong>is the most visible form of government to people. Establishing community-owned, functional local governments responsible for delivering services to their population supports the legitimacy of government and fosters trust and relations between government and local communities. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial that Somalia\u2019s most basic layer of governance \u2013 the district councils \u2013 are seen as inclusive and legitimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FCA and its partners\u2019 decade- long work in building up local governance has taught us that these councils are so much more than elections. We\u2019ve learned that civic education, dialogue, conflict resolution, reconciliation, negotiation and power sharing have just as much of a role. Support to women\u2019s political participation brings tangible change at different levels. Here are some of our ongoing lessons, results and challenges that we have learned, achieved and still remain in the district council formation process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Four women.\" class=\"wp-image-125006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DSC00085_HD.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Four of the five female council members of South Galkacyo administration after their council meeting with Galkacyo\u2019s Deputy Mayor. 2 November, 2021. Left to right: Hawa Sheikh Ali, Maryam Sheikh Hassan, Sowdo Abdi Shire, Falis Abshir Guled. <em>Photo: Nur Hassan Abdulle\/Foresight Films<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block-themes full-width id-block\">\n\t<div class=\"container-lg\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center themes\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"theme\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"theme-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/search-e1661255129902.png\" alt=\"Magnifying glass icon.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"theme-title\">3 results<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"description\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Previously excluded and marginalised groups including women, youth and minority clans\u2019 participation in local governance was significantly improved.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Linking bottom-up community-owned approaches to top-down statebuilding promoted mutual accountability and led to inclusive local governance to ensure delivery of basic services.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Engaging with ministries and higher authorities throughout the process gave legitimacy when deadlocks were reached.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"theme\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"theme-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/search-e1661255129902.png\" alt=\"Magnifying glass icon.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"theme-title\">3 lessons<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"description\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">A holistic approach that is genuinely Somali-led and -owned is crucial, including political will and leadership from State and Federal Government<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Conflict resolution, reconciliation and social healing efforts lay the foundation for successful local governance.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Quotas for women have proven important in securing their political rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"theme\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"theme-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/search-e1661255129902.png\" alt=\"Magnifying glass icon.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"theme-title\">3 challenges<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"description\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">The process is complex and time consuming. Sometimes it\u2019s wisest to put the process on hold to allow consultation to take its course and ensure the timing is right.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Despite progress in women\u2019s political participation, a lot remains to be done to reach the 30% quota.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">When the formation of the council wasn\u2019t possible due to operational challenges, the work done to this point was still valuable in increasing community awareness and preparing the ground for the district council formation process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h1\">6<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\">councils were formed with FCA and its partners\u2019 assistance.* &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h1\">700<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\">women were trained in leadership, inclusive governance &amp; electoral campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h1\">30%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">\u2013 the federal constitution\u2019s quota for women\u2019s political participation was reached in the district preparatory committees in South Galkacyo, Afmadow and Barawe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h1\">19<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\">women were elected to the district councils.*&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h1\">16<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">women were elected to the South West State Parliament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h1\">64%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">of people in South Galkacyo believed that the local government has become more transparent since the formation of the district council**.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br>*Inclusive of Barawe district council formed in Nov 2021 and Adado district council formed in August 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>**Progress report in South Galkacyo, FCA, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block-image-beside-content full-width id-block has-bg\">\n    <div class=\"container-lg\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n            <div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-6\">\n                <div class=\"align-image\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" alt=\"A cover of a publication.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Somalia_LG_cover_HD-1024x576.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Somalia_LG_cover_HD-480x270.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Somalia_LG_cover_HD-1024x576.jpg 991w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 150px\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\">\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-6\">\n                <div class=\"align-content\">\n                    <div class=\"inner-blocks entry-content\">\n                        \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Read the full report here<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Somalia_LG_www.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PDF (1.2MB)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\">        <div class=\"video-wrapper\">              <div class=\"consent-placeholder\"              data-category=\"cookie_cat_marketing\"              onClick=\"CookieConsent.renew()\">                 <div class=\"consent-placeholder-wrapper\">                      <div class=\"text-button-wrapper\">                        <p>Et ole hyv\u00e4ksynyt markkinoinnin ev\u00e4steit\u00e4 n\u00e4hd\u00e4ksesi videon.<\/p>                        <div>                            <button class=\"button red slim\" href=\"javascript:CookieConsent.renew()\">Muuta ev\u00e4steasetuksia<\/button>                        <\/div>                    <\/div>                <\/div>            <\/div>            <\/div>        <div class=\"video-image-oembed\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Brpw8PqsYjo\/hqdefault.jpg')\"><i class=\"fas fa-play\"><\/i><\/div><div class=\"video-container oembed oembed-youtube\" data-video=\"&lt;iframe title=&quot;&amp;quot;I have a voice&amp;quot; - the women &amp;amp; men of Somalia&amp;#039;s district councils.&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;281&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Brpw8PqsYjo?feature=oembed&amp;rel=0&amp;rel=0&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; allow=&quot;accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share&quot; referrerpolicy=&quot;strict-origin-when-cross-origin&quot; allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Contact for media inquiries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Somalia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mr Ikali Karvinen<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><em>Country Director<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Mobile: +252 6 1723 4597 (Somalia)<br>E-mail: <a href=\"mailto:ikali.karvinen@kua.fi\">ikali.karvinen@kua.fi<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mr Erik Nystr\u00f6m<\/strong><br><em>Head of Communications<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Mobile: +358 40 143 4464<br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:erik.nystrom%40kua.fi?subject=\">erik.nystrom@kua.fi<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block-image-beside-content full-width id-block\">\n    <div class=\"container-lg\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n            <div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-6\">\n                <div class=\"align-image\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" alt=\"A woman sits in a big chair talking.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Somalia-Womens-political-participation-hero-desktop-1024x576.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Somalia-Womens-political-participation-hero-desktop-480x270.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Somalia-Womens-political-participation-hero-desktop-1024x576.jpg 991w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 150px\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\">\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-6\">\n                <div class=\"align-content\">\n                    <div class=\"inner-blocks entry-content\">\n                        \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Increasing women\u2019s involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/fca-contributing-to-profound-shift-in-womens-political-participation-in-somalia\/\">Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Partners &amp; Donors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>None of our work would be possible without support from our partners &amp; donors. Thanks goes to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MOIFAR.jpg\" alt=\"The logo of the Federal Government of Somalia.\" class=\"wp-image-125061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MOIFAR.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MOIFAR-225x225.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MOIFAR-178x178.jpg 178w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\">Federal Government of Somalia, particularly the Minister of Interior of Federal Affairs and Reconciliation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"294\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/EU.png\" alt=\"The logo of the European Union.\" class=\"wp-image-125058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/EU.png 440w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/EU-266x178.png 266w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\">EU delegation to Somalia for the invaluable support in promoting peace and state building in Somalia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>USAID\/TIS+ and the Somalia Stability Fund<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland for supporting reconciliation and inclusive local governance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Centre for Re\u00adsearch and Dialogue (CRD) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block-latest-articles-from-category full-width id-block\">\n\t<div class=\"container-lg\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-title\"><span class=\"bg\">Find out more<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"row articles\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card article-card__default\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/strengthening-local-governance-in-somalia\/\">\n\t\t<div class=\"article-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG-20250918-WA0042_HERO-480x220.jpeg\" alt=\"Strengthening local governance in Somalia\u00a0\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"220\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<div class=\"article-meta\">\n\t\t<span>Article<\/span><span>18.1.2026<\/span>\t<\/div>\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/strengthening-local-governance-in-somalia\/\"><h3 class=\"article-title\">Strengthening local governance in Somalia\u00a0<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card article-card__default\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/from-learners-to-leaders-somali-youth-are-taking-environmental-initiatives\/\">\n\t\t<div class=\"article-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/picture-1-480x320.jpg\" alt=\"From learners to leaders: Somali youth are taking environmental initiatives\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<div class=\"article-meta\">\n\t\t<span>Article<\/span><span>22.7.2025<\/span>\t<\/div>\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/from-learners-to-leaders-somali-youth-are-taking-environmental-initiatives\/\"><h3 class=\"article-title\">From learners to leaders: Somali youth are taking environmental initiatives<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card article-card__default\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/how-can-we-build-peace-in-an-unstable-world\/\">\n\t\t<div class=\"article-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peacework-480x339.jpg\" alt=\"How can we build peace in an unstable world?\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"339\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<div class=\"article-meta\">\n\t\t<span>Article<\/span><span>23.5.2025<\/span>\t<\/div>\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/how-can-we-build-peace-in-an-unstable-world\/\"><h3 class=\"article-title\">How can we build peace in an unstable world?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card article-card__default\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/empowering-women-to-lead-change-in-somali-communities\/\">\n\t\t<div class=\"article-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Figure-1_HERO-480x219.jpg\" alt=\"Empowering women to lead change in Somali communities\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"219\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<div class=\"article-meta\">\n\t\t<span>Article<\/span><span>2.3.2025<\/span>\t<\/div>\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/empowering-women-to-lead-change-in-somali-communities\/\"><h3 class=\"article-title\">Empowering women to lead change in Somali communities<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card article-card__default\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/news\/strong-project-launched-in-somalia-to-strengthen-local-governance-and-empower-communities\/\">\n\t\t<div class=\"article-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Aidarus-Hassan-DG-of-MOIFAR_web-480x320.jpg\" alt=\"STRONG project launched in Somalia to strengthen local governance and empower communities\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<div class=\"article-meta\">\n\t\t<span>News<\/span><span>5.9.2024<\/span>\t<\/div>\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/news\/strong-project-launched-in-somalia-to-strengthen-local-governance-and-empower-communities\/\"><h3 class=\"article-title\">STRONG project launched in Somalia to strengthen local governance and empower communities<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card article-card__default\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/fca-supports-fostering-inclusive-governance-in-jowhar-somalia\/\">\n\t\t<div class=\"article-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/4-480x320.jpg\" alt=\"FCA supports fostering inclusive governance in Jowhar, Somalia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<div class=\"article-meta\">\n\t\t<span>Article<\/span><span>9.11.2023<\/span>\t<\/div>\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/fca-supports-fostering-inclusive-governance-in-jowhar-somalia\/\"><h3 class=\"article-title\">FCA supports fostering inclusive governance in Jowhar, Somalia<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\t\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LOCAL GOVERNANCE is the most visible form of government to people. Establishing community-owned, functional local governments responsible for delivering services to their population supports the legitimacy of government and fosters trust and relations between government and local communities. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial that Somalia\u2019s most basic layer of governance \u2013 the district councils \u2013 are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":137,"featured_media":132206,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"74313,109706,64393,86522,74884,107348","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_improvement_type_select":"improve_an_existing","_thumb_yes_seoaic":false,"_frame_yes_seoaic":false,"seoaic_generate_description":"","seoaic_improve_instructions_prompt":"","seoaic_rollback_content_improvement":"","seoaic_idea_thumbnail_generator":"","thumbnail_generated":false,"thumbnail_generate_prompt":"","seoaic_article_description":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-124860","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - 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