Sport for Development and Peace in Somalia

Using sport to promote peace, reconciliation and social cohesion among young people, women and girls in Garowe, Puntland.

Sport for Development and Peace in Somalia starts from a simple idea: that a pitch can be one of the few places where young people from different backgrounds meet on equal terms. Within the Sport for Development and Peace Initiative led by Qatar Charity and Qatar Fund for Development, Save the Dream launched the project in Garowe, Puntland, in 2023, built on sport and the power of its values.

The project addresses a wide set of needs through a single programme: peace and reconciliation, the prevention of violent extremism, education and the empowerment of young people, women and girls, the inclusion of persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, and social cohesion. Rather than treating each as a separate campaign, it uses sport as the common ground on which they can be worked on together.

It works with local authorities and community organisations to strengthen local capacity to use sport as a tool for social transformation. Youth leaders receive training, technical support and educational tools so that they can design and run their own sport for peace and development projects — leaving the skills in the community rather than with the project.

Photo: Participants at a project event in Garowe, Puntland.

PROJECT FACTS