Saameynta Scaling solutions to displacement in Somalia through financing inclusive urban development
November 7, 2024 | 15:00 - 16:30
Summary
Transforming cities requires new ways of financing services and infrastructure. Innovation in financing is an urgent necessity in contexts affected by protracted crises, where private sector service providers could potentially play a vital role in serving vulnerable communities.
Since the launch of the Durable Solutions Initiative in 2016 and the development of the National Durable Solutions Strategy for Somalia in late 2020, and with the current global focus on the UN SG Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, the Federal Government of Somalia, supported by local governments and Federal Member States, has increasingly taken leadership in creating policies and interventions to support communities affected by displacement and boost urban development.
The Federal Government of Somalia, in collaboration with the Southwest, Puntland, and Hirshabelle States and Mayors of Baidoa, Bosaso, and Beledweyne, developed an innovative land governance initiative to innovate the way in which durable solutions are financed and scaled up. With generous contributions by the Governments of the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Norway, the Saameynta Joint Programme has created systems that enable local governments and communities to harness increments in land prices and turn them into financing for services, infrastructure upgrading, and housing solutions.
Through public dialogues, inclusive community planning, and rapid spatial assessments, the mayors are leading the development of city strategies. These, in turn, enable cities to prioritize investments through development briefs created to guide public and private investors to develop infrastructure and services benefitting the physical, social, and economic integration of IDP communities. Initial investments in public land increase its value, which allows municipalities to sell it or lease property, generating additional revenues for service delivery. The program also works to strengthen inclusive land administration and tenure security and enhances trust between local government and its citizens.
This event seeks to engage the private sector, displaced persons, social entrepreneurs, local governments, and activists in a discussion on how private sector investments and government regulatory functions can sustain urban development in fragile contexts. It aims to create a space for the Somali Government to forge partnerships that will attract investments to support the revitalization of services for displacement-affected communities.
A high-level panel moderated by Mr. Robert Piper, the UN SG Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement, will feature the Deputy Prime Minister of FGS, the FGS MOPIED Director of Poverty Reduction and Durable Solutions, the Ambassadors of Switzerland and the Country Manager of World Bank. The discussion will focus on the relevance of this initiative for the success of the UN SG Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, for generating opportunities for the local private sector
Objectives
The networking event will draw on the experiences of the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Federal Member States and Municipalities in terms of addressing internal displacement in urban settings and inclusion in planning processes. The main objectives of this event will be:
- To showcase successful strategies to upscale solutions to urban displacement implemented in Somalia by the Government at all levels of the governance structure and to discuss potential challenges with a broad range of stakeholders, with the aim to foster an enabling environment for private sector engagement in durable solutions interventions.
- To raise awareness among investors and practitioners about the potential of scaling up solutions to internal displacement that focus on inclusive land governance and participatory urban planning, thereby leveraging and further attracting investments in durable solutions.
- To promote investment opportunities in key sectors following innovative strategies as outlined in the development briefs, promoting new partnerships and facilitating networking among stakeholders and social entrepreneurs interested in local participatory planning strategies.
- To strengthen engagement with the private sector and non-traditional donors, showcase how some sectors have been de-risked using participatory planning instruments and how investors can profit from investments in durable solutions at scale.