On 28 March, 2026 — YECO Somalia, with its local partner organization, Nabaad (formerly known as CRSC), convened a public forum on climate change in Mogadishu. The forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to critically examine the underlying causes, far-reaching impacts and potential impacts of the climate crisis in Somalia. The event was characterized by dynamic engagement between sector-expert speakers and YECO Somalia’s Local Climate Champions (LCCs), and created a participatory space. Through discussions, LCCs were able to deepen their understanding of climate change while contributing valuable insights drawn from their lived realities and community-based experiences. 

The forum featured a panel of sector experts specializing in climate policy, environmental management, and social development. Their contributions provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving climate landscape in Somalia, linking global climate trends with local vulnerabilities. A defining feature of the discussion was the active dialogue between our Local Climate Champions and the experts, where participants moved beyond passive listening to critically engage with the issues presented. 

Our Local Climate Champions raised a number of pressing and context-specific questions, reflecting the realities faced within their communities. They inquired about practical strategies for mitigating the effects of recurring droughts and floods, approaches to restoring degraded land, and mechanisms for influencing local and national climate policy. LCCs also expressed concerns regarding limited access to resources, inadequate climate information systems, and the challenges of mobilizing communities toward sustainable environmental practices. 

In response, panel members provided nuanced and actionable insights. They emphasized the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches to climate adaptation, highlighting that locally driven solutions often yield the most sustainable outcomes. Panelists underscored the need for community-based natural resource management, improved early warning systems, and the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks and enhancing collaboration between communities, government bodies and development partners. 

Key findings from the discussion included: 

• Participants collectively recognized that climate change in Somalia is both a structural and immediate challenge, driven by global environmental shifts and exacerbated by local environmental degradation 
• It was observed that the impacts of climate change, particularly drought, flooding, and land degradation, are intensifying vulnerabilities, disrupting livelihoods and contributing to displacement and resource-based conflicts 
• Importantly, the forum highlighted a gap between policy frameworks and grassroots implementation, underscoring the need for stronger linkages between national strategies and community-level action. 

Panel members shared a range of best practices aimed at strengthening climate resilience. These included promoting reforestation and sustainable land management, investing in water conservation and harvesting techniques, diversifying livelihoods to reduce dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, and leveraging platforms for climate education and awareness. The importance of youth engagement was repeatedly emphasized, with experts noting that empowering young people as climate leaders is essential for driving long-term, transformative change. 

The forum concluded with a set of forward-looking recommendations and calls to action: 

• The forum emphasized the need to strengthen climate governance and ensure the effective implementation of existing policies 
• The forum called for increased investment in community-led adaptation initiatives and greater inclusion of youth and women in decision-making processes 
• The importance of building partnerships across sectors and enhancing access to climate financing and technical was also highlighted as critical to scaling impact.