Garowe, Puntland, April 28; The Media Association of Puntland (MAP), in collaboration with BBC Media Action and with support from the European Union, successfully concluded a two-day Digital Media Skills Training held on April 27–28, 2025, at Taleh Hotel in Garowe. Organized under the Culture Project, the training aimed to equip young people with essential digital skills to navigate and contribute to an increasingly connected media landscape.
The program convened 24 dynamic participants from Garowe, Gardho, Galkayo, and Bossaso, with a strong representation of young women, demonstrating MAP’s commitment to inclusive capacity building. Participants were selected to ensure broad regional representation and to create a diverse, collaborative learning environment that encouraged the sharing of ideas and experiences.
This training was developed in direct response to findings from MAP’s Youth Digital Media Capacity Assessment conducted in November 2024, which highlighted critical gaps in digital literacy, media production, and online safety. By addressing these needs, the initiative strengthened youth capacity for responsible digital engagement and empowered participants to become active contributors to Puntland’s social, cultural, and economic development.
In opening the training, Mohamed Dek Abdalla, Vice Chairperson of MAP, emphasized the importance of empowering youth with digital media skills.
He noted that empowering young people with these skills is an investment in Puntland’s future, as they will be at the forefront of telling the region’s stories, building peace, and leading innovation in an increasingly digital world.
“Empowering young people with digital media skills is not just about preparing them for tomorrow — it’s about giving them the tools to shape it. Our youth are the storytellers, peacebuilders, and innovators who will drive Puntland’s future. By fostering ethical, creative, and responsible communication, we are building a more informed, resilient, and inclusive society, ready to lead with knowledge and vision.”
——— Mohamed Dek Abdalla, Vice Chairperson of MAP,
The training covered four key modules: social media engagement, ethical content production, effective online communication, and digital safety. Participants learned audience targeting, content scheduling, persuasive messaging, responsible storytelling, and digital identity protection through interactive workshops, live demos, group discussions, and simulations.
Over the course of two days, the training created a vibrant, participatory environment that fostered critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. Trainers placed a strong emphasis on active learning, guiding participants to sharpen their digital skills, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and build the confidence needed to use digital platforms for positive community impact.
The energy, creativity, and determination shown by the participants reaffirmed the importance of investing in Puntland’s youth. Equipping young people with essential digital communication skills is crucial to nurturing a generation of leaders capable of driving social, cultural, and economic development, and contributing to a more resilient, informed, and inclusive society.
For many participants, the training experience was transformative. Maryan Osman from Garowe expressed her enthusiasm, noting that the sessions had given her a new perspective on using digital platforms both responsibly and creatively. She shared that she now feels more empowered to advocate for important community issues, protect herself online, and engage wider audiences in meaningful ways.
“This training unlocked a whole new world for me! I’m now ready to use digital platforms to speak up for my community, protect myself online, and reach wider audiences with confidence,” said Maryan Osman from Garowe.
This initiative is part of the broader “Building a Peaceful Future: Youth Empowerment through Media Engagement in Somalia” project, which aims to equip young Somalis—particularly young women—with the skills to create responsible media, foster peacebuilding narratives, and engage in democratic processes.
By investing in the capacity of youth, MAP and BBC Media Action are helping to cultivate a digitally empowered generation capable of overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities, and driving positive change across Puntland and beyond.
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