Mogadishu, Somalia – In a significant step toward sustainable peace and development, more than 60 community leaders, representatives from women’s and youth groups, local businesses, and government officials gathered in Mogadishu for a three-day workshop aimed at co-creating solutions to counter violent extremism through economic empowerment and reintegration.
The workshop, which concluded over the weekend, focused on practical strategies to address the root causes of radicalization by enhancing livelihoods, creating inclusive economic opportunities, and reintegrating former combatants and at-risk youth back into society.
Organized in collaboration with civil society and international partners, the event emphasized community-driven solutions that align with Somalia’s National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.
Participants engaged in open dialogues, collaborative planning sessions, and experience-sharing activities. Key themes included youth employment, support for small and medium enterprises, vocational training, and fostering public-private partnerships to drive economic resilience in vulnerable communities.
“We cannot defeat violent extremism with security measures alone,” said one participant, a youth leader from Hodan district. “We need to invest in our people, in education, in jobs, and in a future that gives youth a reason to stay hopeful.”
Government officials highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate economic empowerment into Somalia’s stabilization and peacebuilding agenda, while local business owners expressed commitment to creating inclusive job opportunities, especially for youth and women affected by conflict.
At the close of the workshop, a joint action plan was drafted, outlining priority initiatives such as mentorship programs, access to microfinance for returnees, and community-based reintegration models that reflect local values and realities.
The workshop reflects a growing consensus in Somalia that long-term peace depends on empowering communities to build economic alternatives to extremism and conflict. Organizers say follow-up meetings will be held in other regions to ensure that the initiative expands beyond the capital.
This workshop is part of a broader national and international effort to reinforce Somalia’s recovery, resilience, and path toward lasting peace.
