Uniting Through Sport and Empowering Youth in Farlibax

Football has united the youth of Farlibax together and fostered harmony among communities in the small town of Hiraan, Hirshabelle State. The basic values of sports, particularly teamwork, have strengthened connections among individuals from diverse cultures, locations and beliefs.

As in many communities across Somalia, the youth of Farlibax are faced with the consequences of clan conflicts, exposure to extremist factions and limited employment opportunities, leaving them vulnerable to negative coping mechanisms. In response, the Hirshabelle authorities have come up with initiatives to engage these young community members.

Youth activities extending to both host and displaced communities, rural and urban areas in Farlibax have been organized in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

A five-day football tournament organized by IOM drew, 120 young players from various corners of the town. Divided into eight teams competing teams, the winners received trophies at the end; all participants also received kits comprising uniforms and football boots. On the sidelines of the tournament, authorities and youth engaged in peacebuilding dialogues, spotlighting collaboration, conflict resolution, and social harmony.

Previously lacking avenues for open dialogue, this engagement has cultivated trust between the youth and authorities. Additionally, IOM and local authorities organized training sessions in youth civic engagement, leadership skills, advocacy, action plan development and self-employment and run sustainable business management for local youth as part of the same initiative.

A one-day workshop was conducted to identify the needs and priorities of young community members, ensuring interventions align with their requirements and additional sessions facilitated exchanges between youth and government representatives.

Since its establishment in country, IOM’s efforts contribute to Somalia’s stability and peace by fostering trust within fractured communities and helping to rebuilding social contracts between citizens and state institutions — paving the way for successful long-term development interventions.