The unit serves as a knowledge platform/hub for the formulation of UNDP’s economic policy positions towards MDG-aligned policy-programme-action continuum for sustainable poverty reduction and human development through policy research and policy advocacy on emerging development issues of national importance. The Unit supports the development of strategies geared towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Planning and line ministries, and create awareness of the need for poverty monitoring.

The unit works on four main projects:

Human Development
The HDEU is currently finalising a national Human Development Report on youth empowerment, due for publication in 2012. The report argues that Somalia’s youth have stores of potential which can be harnessed and channeled into positive building blocks for national development and peace. It highlights the challenges, disadvantages, possibilities, capabilities and opportunities which exist for Somalia’s youth such that interventions geared towards youth development will be appropriately designed and implemented.

Somalia’s youth (14-29) represent 43 percent of the total population, while those under 30 make up 73 percent. With over 20 years of conflict in Somalia, most young Somalis have known no other way of life. Many have and are facing the harsh realities of civil unrest and survival. Scores of youth have joined armed militia groups as a means of survival. Others struggle for gainful and longer term employment opportunities.

The HDR presents information collected for the first time from young women and men in Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia (with limited access to rural populations in the South Central, due to insecurity), through a comprehensive survey conducted by local research institutions in each administrative zone, as well as focus groups discussions and interviews conducted with the youth.

UNDP engaged young Somali men and women in and facilitated the development of a Youth Charter for Somalia, an output of the HDR production process. The Charter, which was disseminated among youth groups in Somalia and within the Diaspora through one-to-one communication and an online survey, serves as a set of guiding principles for stakeholders to engage with youth effectively, while highlighting the youth’s aspirations that will lead to their contributing to peace and development in the country.

Youth Charter – Draft

Questions on Youth Charter_Survey Monkey

Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) Initiatives
This project supports capacity building needs at the federal, regional and district levels to formulate MDG based national development policy, plans, programmes and monitoring the progress towards the attainment of MDGs. The HDEU is working with relevant line ministries in the TFG, Puntland and Somaliland governments to produce a MDG progress report, due for publication by the end of 2012.

Poverty Assessment, Monitoring and Analysis
This project supports the three administrations of Somaliland, Puntland and South Central to establish and strengthen institutional capacity for poverty monitoring, which will in turn influence policy decisions regarding poverty reduction strategies.

Emerging issues
The unit also works on emerging development issues in Somalia. It completed an assessment of Diaspora contributions in Somalia and published a report of the findings, Cash and Compassion: The Role of Somali Diaspora in Relief, Development and Peace Building. The report analyses how UNDP/UN and the broader international community can forge effective partnerships with the Diaspora and collaborate with them for more effective results on the ground.

Project Duration:

Jan 2008- Dec 2015

Total proposed budget:

 USD 702,869