Client: U.S. Agency for International Development
Duration: 2023-2028
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Country: Somalia
Solutions: Governance Fragile States
In the summer of 2022, the new President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, declared “total war” against al-Shabaab and impressive strides have been made. While there is a strong spirit of optimism among the Somali people, a security response alone is insufficient. While district councils have been formed in seven districts, they have received virtually no support. By improving council functions, the Somalia People-Centered Governance Activity (PCG) offers important complementary programming to solidify gains from ongoing security, humanitarian, stabilization, and development initiatives.
PCG supports local governance in southern Somalia, helping district councils to adopt inclusive decision-making models, more fairly manage resources, deliver results and services for citizens, and—in so doing—increase citizen trust in the councils. The Activity facilitates government dialogue and engagement with citizens to strengthen the social contract, delivers bespoke support to district councils to improve their governance capabilities, and ultimately increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of local government.
PCG supports newly formed councils, building the capacity of officials to better perform their jobs and ensure that resources and disputes are managed fairly and with citizen participation, avoiding capture by clan groups or elites. PCG also supports them to identify and respond to citizen priorities and become more sustainable by delivering services, collecting revenues, and creating channels for communication with citizens. Combining embedded technical assistance, grants, and construction funds, PCG seeks to expand service delivery to 800,000 citizens.
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