Location: Baidoa, Southwest State, Somalia
Dates: 8–10 August 2026
Duration: 3 Days
Participants: 57 — 27 women and 30 youth
Communities: Host communities and IDPs
Sponsor: Somali Community Development Association (SOCDA)
Turning Potential into Opportunity
Women and youth across Southwest State have significant potential to contribute to their families, communities and local development. However, many particularly those from vulnerable households and IDP communities face limited access to leadership opportunities, entrepreneurship skills and meaningful civic participation.
Recognizing this gap, SOCDA sponsored a three-day capacity-building workshop in Baidoa from 8–10 August 2026, bringing together 57 participants, including 27 women and 30 youth, from both host and internally displaced communities.
The workshop was designed not simply to provide training, but to help participants make productive use of their skills, time and potential and turn ideas into practical opportunities.
Reaching Those Who Need Opportunities Most
SOCDA applied an inclusive and vulnerability-sensitive participant selection approach. Participants were drawn from both host and IDP communities, with priority given to women and youth facing greater barriers to accessing skills development, leadership opportunities and civic engagement.
The approach promoted diversity, equal opportunity and meaningful participation, bringing together people with different experiences and backgrounds.
This created an environment where participants could learn from one another, build relationships and develop networks that extend beyond the workshop.
What Participants Gained
The three-day Programme combined practical learning, discussion and peer exchange around four key areas:
Leadership & Confidence
Participants strengthened communication, teamwork, decision-making and leadership skills, with an emphasis on taking initiative and contributing to community solutions.
Entrepreneurship & Opportunity
Participants explored how to identify local opportunities, understand community needs, develop ideas and apply creative approaches to livelihoods and problem-solving.
Civic Participation
Participants strengthened their understanding of constructive engagement with communities, civil society, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Networking & Collaboration
Women and youth from host and IDP communities created new connections for peer learning, information sharing, collaboration and potential future initiatives.
From Before to After
| Before the Workshop | After the Workshop |
| Limited access to leadership development | Increased exposure to practical leadership skills |
| Untapped ideas and potential | Greater awareness of entrepreneurship and opportunity identification |
| Limited opportunities for civic engagement | Stronger understanding of constructive community participation |
| Few connections across different community groups | New networks among women, youth, host and IDP participants |
Impact at a Glance
57 participants reached
27 women participants
30 youth participants
3 days of practical learning
2 community groups represented — host & IDP communities
4 core areas — Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Civic Participation & Networking
A Participant Voice
“This training helped me realize that I have skills and ideas that can make a difference in my community. I gained more confidence in speaking up, taking initiative and looking for opportunities. I am now motivated to use what I learned to develop my ideas and encourage other young people and women to participate and create positive change.”
Workshop Participant, Baidoa, August 2026
Why This Matters
The value of this initiative extends beyond the 57 people who participated. By strengthening the skills, confidence and networks of women and youth particularly vulnerable members of host and IDP communities—SOCDA is helping build a stronger pool of community members who can contribute to local problem-solving, livelihoods, social inclusion and civic engagement.
For SOCDA, capacity building is not an end in itself. It is a pathway toward locally led solutions and sustainable community development.
From Training to Action
SOCDA aims to build on this investment by connecting participants, where resources allow, with follow-up mentoring, entrepreneurship opportunities, women- and youth-led community initiatives, peer networks and continued civic engagement.
The next step is to help participants move from knowledge to action, ideas to opportunities and participation to leadership.
An Invitation to Development Partners
With continued support from donors and development partners, SOCDA can expand this approach and provide women and youth with sustained opportunities to develop their skills, launch community initiatives, strengthen livelihoods and participate meaningfully in local decision-making.
Supporting vulnerable women and youth today can help strengthen the community leadership and resilience of Southwest Somalia tomorrow.
“Empowerment begins with opportunity. Sustainable change comes when people are supported to turn opportunity into action.”
SOCDA — Investing in People. Strengthening Communities. Supporting Locally Led Development.