Mogadishu, Somalia – Communities across Somalia have united to raise over USD 500,000 through the Co-funding Mechanism (CFM), which was matched by IOM with over USD2 million, contributing to 40 local development initiatives, and spearheading peacebuilding activities. 

Somalia has long been impacted by political strife, clan-based conflicts and climate crises like drought and floods. Many regions in Somalia, particularly the areas newly recovered from extremist groups suffer from inadequate infrastructure. Schools, hospitals, markets, stadiums, administrative centres, police stations and water reservoirs are often neglected, leaving communities grappling for resources, livelihood opportunities and other basic services.  

The CFM is a community-driven, government-led initiative to identify needs and implement sustainable, inclusive and environmentally conscious projects to address them.  

Under the CFM, communities identify priority projects, which are submitted to the local government for discussion and approval, then onwards to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for evaluation. Once approved, IOM Somalia helps the communities set up fundraising efforts on and offline; open bank accounts; manage funds transparently; and monitor progress.  

When communities reach their fundraising goals, IOM Somalia multiplies the contributions — often doubling or tripling the amount raised, to ensure the project’s implementation. The process is overseen by the Community Project Implementation Unit (CPIU), which consists of a diverse range of community members tasked with ensuring management, transparency, accountability and effective utilization of the funds. CPIU actively involves the community in gathering feedback and assessing priorities.  

“This approach encourages a culture of peace by bringing different communities, which often include members of conflicting clans, to work together,” said Prestage Murima, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission, a.i. “The CFM increases local ownership and inclusivity, and prioritizes Government leadership, helping communities address the root causes of clan-based conflicts and fostering trust in government structures.”  

“The CFM initiative plays a crucial role in educating communities to be less dependent and promotes preparedness in the face of climatic challenges while instilling a sense of ownership,” said Farhan Noor Qorane, CPIU Chairman in Istanbul Camp for Internally Displaced Persons, Kismayo.  

The CFM was first launched in 2022 in Galmudug and South West states, before expanding to Hirshabelle state. In Galmudug and Hirshabelle, over USD 345,000 was raised to implement 26 projects, including the construction of a police station in Beergadiid, which helped increase security and trust through community policing. Another USD 110,300 was raised in Hirshabelle for eight infrastructure improvements, including the drilling of a borehole that provided much needed access to clean water and greatly reduced the long distances that families had to walk in search of water.  

In Jubaland and Southwest States, USD 47,970 was raised to support seven projects focused on education, including construction and rehabilitation of primary school classrooms, libraries and conference halls that benefit more than 10,000 students who are now learning in secure environments.  

“Before our school was rehabilitated, learning conditions were not suitable. We had no toilets, water and seating areas. But now the school has [these things]. More students have enrolled, concentration has improved and both we and our parents are happy with the changes,’’ said Abdullah Ahmed, a pupil at Qasim AlBarawi school, Lower Shabelle Region.  

The Co-funding Mechanism is supported by the European Union, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).