Overview

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is working to align Somalia’s youth development priorities with the global objectives of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS). The resolution highlights the critical role of young people in peacebuilding, security, and sustainable development.

Veynuus is supporting the Ministry in conducting nationwide consultations across all Federal Member States (FMS) and the Banadir Regional Administration (BRA). These consultations aim to identify actionable strategies for implementing the YPS framework in Somalia while empowering Somali youth to play an active role in peacebuilding and governance.

The Challenge

Somalia faces complex challenges, including youth unemployment, lack of representation in decision-making, and ongoing security concerns. The Ministry of Youth and Sports needed a structured approach to engage stakeholders, align national youth policies with YPS objectives, and ensure Somali youth could take advantage of opportunities created by the resolution.

Key challenges included:

• Awareness Gap: Limited understanding of the YPS resolution among stakeholders and Somali youth.
• Regional Diversity: Ensuring alignment across diverse states with unique priorities and needs.
• Actionable Strategies: Developing practical, realistic frameworks for implementing the resolution.

Our Role

Veynuus has been instrumental in assisting the Ministry of Youth and Sports through a comprehensive and collaborative approach:

1. Nationwide Consultations

Veynuus is facilitating consultations across all Federal Member States and BRA, engaging:

• Government Stakeholders: Ministries of Youth and Sports and Director Generals (DGs).
• Youth Representatives: Young leaders, activists, and community organizers from each region.
• Civil Society Organizations: Groups working in youth development, peacebuilding, and governance.

The consultations focus on understanding regional challenges and opportunities, raising awareness of the YPS resolution, and gathering input on how it can be tailored to Somalia’s context.

2. Capacity Building and Awareness

Through workshops and discussion forums, Veynuus is:

• Educating youth and stakeholders on the core pillars of the YPS resolution (Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnerships, and Disengagement & Reintegration).
• Highlighting how Somali youth can leverage the resolution to advocate for representation and leadership roles in governance and peace processes.

3. Strategy Development

Based on consultation findings, Veynuus is assisting the Ministry in:

• Drafting a roadmap for YPS implementation in Somalia.
• Identifying specific actions the Ministry and youth organizations can take to operationalize the resolution.
• Aligning national youth priorities with global YPS objectives.

Key Outcomes

1. Inclusive Dialogue
   The consultations have engaged a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring diverse perspectives are incorporated into the YPS implementation plan. Somali youth now have a platform to voice their needs and aspirations.
2. Increased Awareness
   Youth representatives and government officials have a clearer understanding of the YPS resolution and how it can be implemented in Somalia to create meaningful change.
3. Actionable Roadmap
   The Ministry is equipped with a practical, regionally tailored roadmap that outlines key actions, responsibilities, and timelines for implementing YPS priorities.

Impact

Veynuus’ support has laid the foundation for sustainable change, empowering Somali youth to contribute actively to peacebuilding and governance. By fostering collaboration among government, youth, and civil society, the initiative is aligning Somalia’s youth development efforts with global standards while addressing local challenges.

Conclusion

This ongoing partnership demonstrates the critical role of collaboration in achieving meaningful change. By bridging the gap between global resolutions and local needs, Veynuus is helping the Ministry of Youth and Sports pave the way for a more inclusive and peaceful future in Somalia.