Introduction
Electoral processes in Somalia remain fragile, marked by recurring delays, limited transparency, and low public trust in democratic institutions. The country has yet to fully implement a nationwide one-person-one-vote system, and participation continues to be constrained by a complex indirect electoral structure, ongoing insecurity, entrenched patriarchal norms, and limited access to civic education—particularly among youth, women, and marginalized communities.
Although young people make up over 75% of Somalia’s population, they remain significantly underrepresented in electoral decision-making and civic processes. Somalia ranks among the lowest globally in youth political participation. While youth-led activism is increasing, meaningful engagement in formal democratic processes remains limited. Even in contexts where local elections have taken place, participation has often been symbolic rather than substantive. In addition, the absence of accessible digital tools, high levels of digital illiteracy, limited access to reliable information, and the growing spread of misinformation continue to undermine inclusive democratic participation.
In response to these challenges, Bareedo Platform Somalia, a youth-led organization, has developed DoorashoKaab—a bilingual (Somali/English), user-friendly civic tech platform designed to empower Somali citizens with civic education, reliable voter information, and safe electoral incident reporting tools.
As part of its commitment to strengthening democratic participation and civic awareness across Somalia, Bareedo Platform is launching the Digital Civic Ambassadors and invites passionate Somali youth leaders to apply and become agents of change in their communities.
About Digital Civic Ambassadors
Digital Civic Ambassadors are young volunteers who lead grassroots, peer-to-peer civic and voter education initiatives within their communities. They play a vital role in promoting civic awareness and introducing the DoorashoKaab platform, helping expand its reach and impact across Somalia.
Who Are Digital Civic Ambassadors?
Civic Ambassadors are youth under the age of 35 who are:
- Passionate about civic engagement and community development;
- Committed to educating their peers on civic rights and responsibilities;
- Interested in promoting informed participation in democratic processes in Somalia;
- Active in using online platforms, including DoorashoKaab.
Training & Capacity Building
Selected ambassadors will participate in a structured and intensive training program delivered through the DoorashoKaab platform. The training includes:
- Civic Ambassador Certification Course
- Leadership and community engagement training
- Core civic education modules
- Digital literacy and misinformation awareness
- Safe and ethical civic engagement practices
- Hands-on training on using and promoting the DoorashoKaab platform
👉 Upon successful completion, participants will receive an official certification.
What Will Ambassadors Do?
After completing the training, Digital Civic Ambassadors will:
- Lead community-based civic education activities, including peer-to-peer learning sessions in their respective locations across Somalia;
- Promote and support the use of the DoorashoKaab platform at the grassroots level;
- Organize youth-focused civic and election-related discussions and awareness campaigns;
- Counter misinformation by sharing accurate and verified civic and voter information;
- Support communities in identifying and reporting false or misleading information;
- Coordinate their activities through the DoorashoKaab community network;
- Collect community insights and provide feedback to improve the platform and better respond to the needs of Somali citizens.
Why Join the Program?
As a Digital Civic Ambassador, you will:
- Gain valuable leadership and communication skills
- Receive certified training in civic engagement
- Join a national network of young changemakers in Somalia
- Contribute to democracy, transparency, and peacebuilding processes in Somalia
- Build experience for future career and leadership opportunities
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be Somali youth aged 18–35 years;
- Have a strong interest in civic education and community engagement;
- Reside in Puntland, Jubaland, Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Southwest, Northeast, or the Benadir region;
- Possess basic digital skills, including the use of smartphones and social media platforms;
- Be willing and able to commit time to training and community outreach activities in their respective locations.
How to Apply
To apply for the Digital Civic Ambassadors Program, please follow these steps:
- Complete the Online Application Form
- Submit a brief motivation statement explaining your interest in the program
- Upload a recent passport-size photo
- Wait for the selection and confirmation process. Shortlisted candidates will be officially invited to join the program and participate in the training.
📍 Location: Nationwide (Somalia)
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026
📧 Contact: info@doorashokaab.org
🌐 Website: www.doorashokaab.org | www.bareedo.org