How social enterprise could foster sustainable livelihood in

post conflict Somalia

Dr. Muna Ismail

Initiatives of Change, UKPresented at international conference Universities developing social

entrepreneurship through cross-sector collaboration

York St John University

1-3 Sept 2015

Initiative of Change IofC is a world-wide movement

Areas of focus :

Trustbuilding: Peace and social cohesion through trust and reconciliation.

Ethical Leadership: Good governance by developing a leadership culture based on moral integrity, compassion and selfless service.

Sustainable living: Economic justice and environmental sustainability by transformation of motives and behavio -

Somalia covers a total area of 637,657 sq. km

Total Population: 12,316,895

[23% Rural; 26% Nomads; 42% Urban; 9% IDP]

Population Survey Estimation UNFPA - 2104

Major land use types for livelihood

Pastoralism: is the major type of land use in Somalia.

Rain fed agriculture: northwest and northeast areas using seasonal streams and springs having available water for irrigated fruits and vegetables

Irrigated agriculture: Inter-riverine flood plains along river Jubba and Shabelle. Bread basket of the country.

Social Structure Clan based Social system. Linage identity or Clannism is a

central organising force

More significant in the years of the collapse of state (1991-2012)

Women rarely seen as official decision makers in the clan system

Through out the civil war women enjoyed greater mobility than men. Local pioneers of informal social enterprise

Reinforces of instability

Economic reality

Lack of Opportunity/

Limited Capacity

Environmental degradation

Lack of good governance

Insecurity, Corruption,

Injustice

Increase of human and livestock population influencing the changing patterns that have been occurring in land use

Changes of national and global economy. Economic life characterized by under developed banking system and lack of physical infrastructure

Climate change-induced ecological stresses diminishing resilience to conflict and food security Hardy drought resistant food plants

Main Challenges

Small tree or shrub species endemic to Ethiopia and Somalia

Local/regional importance in the dry lands of the Horn of Africa

Tasty edible seed, referred to as a ‘nut’. High nutritional and economic value

Yeheb (Cordeauxia edulis)

Why Yeheb!

Potential for development as a food resource for the semi-arid regions

Regeneration of Yeheb plant in the indigenous habitats will reduce chronic food insecurity

Ideal for any adaptive strategies to regenerate sustainable livelihood for pastoralist communities

Ideal for soil conservation, mulching and hedgerow

Exploratory mission in Somaliland19th May to 7th of June 2015

Gather evidence about Yeheb in Somaliland and the level of the existing knowledge of its use

Assess the capacity of pastoral/rural communities to generate ideas to diversify livelihoods

Land degradation and overgrazing due to conflicts, droughts and poor land management

Major constraints to natural regeneration and imbalance:

i. Over-harvesting of immature nutsii. Excessive browsingiii. Excessive cutting of wood for fuel

Participatory management to sustain rangeland conditions for livelihood

Dialogue over natural resource sharing

Help build resilience at community through social entrepreneurship, peace and trust-building

Diaspora role

Thank you