At the heart of the state of Galmudug, in Somalia, the dream of two young women, Iftin and Aminaa, to go to university in Abudwaq was responsible for challenges.
Frequent power cuts and a long dark and perhaps dangerous road between the campus and the city have made almost impossible for them and other girls to provide evening lessons.
Determined to find a solution, they approached the international organization for migration (Iom)) Co -financing system (CFS), which provides funding corresponding to the projects led by the community and which is designed to allow local communities of Somalia to take charge of their development and recovery.
Solar panels provide constant power at the University of Abudwaq, Galmadug.
Rallying 19 Other students, Iftin and Aminaa submitted a simple but transformative proposal… .. Crowdfund for solar lampposts and a solar energy system for the school.
In July 2022, the girls collected $ 10,000. The IOM has equaled this amount and added $ 50,000 more.
The result was a well -lit and secure road in the city of Abudwaq at the university and a fully functional solar energy system.
The system now feeds 24 hours a day with clean energy.
The impact did not stop there.
Later, the community decided to connect a nearby drilling to the system, offering clean and free water to all the communities of Abudwaq and nearby pastors, which now bring their cattle to drink and graze near the water source.
Animals water drilling powered by solar energy.
“Abudwaq was not one of our original target locations,” said Mohamed Mohamud Hussein, an IOM officer working on community planning. “But we considered the proposal because it was well thought out, transformational for the community and aligned with the mandate and the priorities of the CFS concerning property and sustainability.”
The determination of Iftin and Aminaa has given the example to other communities across Somalia.
Community power
Pilot by IOM In 2021, the CFS has become one of the most innovative recovery tools in Somalia. He puts power in the hands of local communities.
At the end of 2024, 42 projects had been completed, reaching more than 580,000 people in 22 districts in the center of Somalia.
Nine others are in progress. Nearly 1,600 members of the community and members of the diaspora contributed, raising more than $ 500,000, which corresponds to $ 2.3 million.
Even in fragile contexts, collective action makes a difference. In Farjano, a regulation for internal displaced persons in the state of Galmudug, the construction of a new primary school has more than providing classrooms. He restored hope.
A new primary school has been built in Farjano funded by the IOM co -financing system.
“For the very first time, all my children could go to school – and it was free,” said Shamso, mother of three.
In Mataban, a newly constructed stage of young people favored unity and a sense of shared identity. The groups that had previously avoided began to spend time together. “The stadium gathered us in a way that we have never imagined,” said Mustaf, a Mataban resident. “It is not only for sport – this is where our community feels united.”
By obliging communities to identify their needs and collect initial funds, the CFS adopts an approach from top to bottom towards development.
It guarantees that projects are not only focused on the community, but also have more chances of long -term success and impact
The fourth international conference on development financing (FFD4) which begins in Seville, Spain, June 30, aims to reform funding at all levels, and will undoubtedly examine local solutions and community -oriented initiatives that have proven itself in Somalia.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
