Addendum to the Objective One Assessment: Strengthening Somali Governance Project

The project focuses on three overarching objectives: improving the legislative, representative, and oversight functions of Somalia's federal and state deliberative bodies; improving the ability of targeted government institutions to carry out essential functions; and increasing citizen awareness of and engagement in government decision-making. The SSG Project supports the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) as well as state and local administrations in their efforts to meet the New Deal Framework and their commitments to develop sound government institutions. The project's activities include support for developing the capacity of governance institutions, primarily their respective parliaments and civil society institutions, in Somaliland, Puntland, and Jubaland. The project's methodology involves a light-touch approach to build partnerships and responsive interventions, local ownership to be responsive to stakeholder priorities and build local capacity, strategic focus to add value and maximize impact, do no harm to promote a truly inclusive government, and gender equity and women's empowerment to promote greater gender equity within the Somali government. The assessment team conducted a desk study of relevant material about the PL HoR and met with key stakeholders in Garowe and Nairobi. The team identified current needs and priorities of the Puntland HoR and looked into gaps in donor assistance that the SSG Project could fill. The assessment team incorporated principles such as local ownership, strategic focus, and do no harm into its process. The PL HoR is located in Garowe and has a current operating context and priorities that are summarized in the assessment report. The report provides an overview of parliamentary capacity across the institution and more detailed information on the parliamentary committees. The assessment team also mapped support being provided by other donor-funded organizations and proposed activities that could be supported by the SSG Project. The assessment team conducted in-person meetings with members of parliament, committee chairs, committee members, and parliamentary staff to learn more about their current functions and capacity building needs. The team also spoke with representatives from other donor-funded organizations working with the Parliament. The assessment aimed to gather information from a diverse group of project stakeholders to get a more complete understanding of current capacity and future needs. The SSG Project's activities in Puntland focus on improving the legislative, representative, and oversight functions of the PL HoR. The project aims to increase citizen awareness of and engagement in government decision-making and promote greater gender equity within the Somali government. The project's methodology involves a light-touch approach, local ownership, strategic focus, and do no harm to promote a truly inclusive government. The assessment report provides a comprehensive overview of the PL HoR's operating context and existing capacity. The report identifies current needs and priorities of the Puntland HoR and proposes activities that could be supported by the SSG Project. The project's activities in Puntland are designed to improve the capacity of the PL HoR and promote greater gender equity within the Somali government.