District Council Formation: Lessons Learned Study

District Council Formation: Lessons Learned Study

August 31, 2020

Tags: Democratisation, Gender, Local Governance, Reconciliation

Resource

The Wadajir Framework (WF) is the Federal Government of Somalia’s (FGS’s) roadmap to working on local governance, with the ultimate aim of the creation of a governance system that builds up from the bottom, breaks down social barriers, mends social divides, and reenergises the spirit of working together for the common good. The Fund has supported WF programs in the districts of Abudwaq, Balanbale, and Hobyo in Galmudug since 2017. In Hirshabelle, SSF started WF activities in Beletweyne and Warsheikh in 2018. In early 2020, SSF commissioned this Lessons Learned Study to gather, analyse, and compile lessons learned among Wadajir Framework-implementing partners, and to then build an evidence base that can inform future programming and enable flexible and adaptive implementation. This is created to allow SSF and other partners to have the greatest impact on strengthening local governance and on district council formation processes.

Key findings and recommendations include:

  • A need to focus on fiscal sustainability of nascent district councils.
  • A need to build greater cooperation with peer agencies and implementing organisations to whom district councils are passed following completion.
  • The need to strengthen durability of local reconciliation with an emphasis on peace enforcement.
  • To continue the promotion of gender and social inclusion throughout the Wadajir Framework.

This paper forms part of the Funds wider research into local governance, democratisation and reconciliation and links to other papers produced inclusive of Local Reconciliation in Somalia – Factors that Enhance Durability and Success; and Exploring Options for Political and Economic District Council Sustainability.

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