Sep 2020
EISA continued to inform and educate citizens on electoral participation. EISA reached two Federal Members States, namely Puntland and Banadire Administration Region (Mogadishu) through an episode of Let's Talk Elections conducted in September, just days before the agreed Electoral Code, on the issue "Are political parties ready for the 2020-2021 elections?".
All episodes were aired on Somali TV, radio, and social platforms. The format of this activity continued to raise EISA's profile and extend the reach of this series. Somalis from the diaspora are also actively engaged through the use of social media platforms.
Nov-Dec 2017
Effective work needs to be done for Somali women and youth to empower them to play an important role in their society and fully participate in the new state-building and democratisation process. To contribute to this process EISA organised a series of workshops on the theme: "Supporting women and youth civic engagement".
The workshops took place in South West State on 24th November 2017 (98 participants including 27 women) and Jubbaland state on 29 November 2017 (88 participants including 22 women) and in Mogadishu on 12-13 December 2017 (99 participants including 56 women).
The workshops provided participants with basic concepts of best practice in civic engagement and participation in democratic and participatory governance. Included in the workshop content was information on understanding federalism and how citizens can contribute to national unity, peace and social cohesion.
20-21 Sep 2017
Selected CSOs were trained in Mogadishu in civic education. Activities included training young people in democracy, elections and governance. The first in the series of six modules, which was conducted at the Jazeera Hotel on 20 and 21 September 2017, was attended by 20 participants, 12 of whom were women, representing six youth groups as well as Mogadishu University and secondary schools.
EISA concluded a 3 day training workshop for CSO group members in both Jowhar, Middle Shabelle and Kismayo, Jubbaland. The workshop enabled CSOs to build their capacity on elections and democracy. EISA sent trainers of Trainees with developed modules on elections and democracy that would empower participants to empower the wider community in turn.
Motivated by the need to build up the Somali CSOs internal organizational capacity, EISA Somalia designed, developed and trained over 300 CSOs in six regions of Somalia. Following this, EISA commenced a civic education workshop in the same six regions.
Motivated by the need to strengthen the internal organisational capacity of Somali CSOs, EISA-Somalia designed and developed training material, and trained over 300 CSOs in six regions of Somalia, including Mogadishu, Galkayo, Baidoa, Galgadug and Hiraan. The training focused on:
The objective of these workshops was to ensure that CSOs are better organised, and can within their organisations contribute to the transition process through a more structured approach. Through these workshops, CSOs were able to find ways to begin to interact and engage in the current stabilisation process. Through EISA's support, diverse CSOs have been brought together to engage on the different challenges facing Somalis. One participant representing the Institute of Education for Disabled People thanked EISA for its "inclusive work in Somalia where disabled people are neglected and discriminated against". The participant said, "this is the first time disabled people and organisations have enjoyed equal opportunity with non-disabled people.
EISA Somalia held a consultative meeting with Somali Civil Society Organisations at the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu on the 18th and 19th of January 2014. The purpose of the consultative meeting was to formally introduce EISA as an organisation in Somalia and present its activities. EISA representatives were warmly welcomed by Somali Civil Society Organisations who expressed eagerness for future cooperation through this collaboration.