Somali Youth Water Ambassadors Program 2026
Be one of 50 young Somalis bringing your community’s water story to the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Free to apply · Ages 18–35 · Young women, pastoral, rural and displaced youth strongly encouraged
PUSAN is accredited to the 2026 UN Water Conference — Abu Dhabi, 8–10 December 2026, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. Our accreditation gives Somali youth a direct place in the room.
Local water realities, carried to the global stage
The Somali Youth Water Ambassadors Program is a youth-led initiative implemented by PUSAN and Agent for Peace & Climate Resilient Development (APCD).
It trains 50 young Somalis from drought-affected communities, prepares them to collect and validate the water experiences of their peers across Somalia, and brings those voices to the 2026 UN Water Conference. The program connects young pastoralists, farmers, students and young women with government, UN agencies, partners and decision-makers — so that local realities shape global water discussions.
Barnaamijkan wuxuu tababarayaa 50 dhallinyaro Soomaaliyeed ah oo ka yimid bulshooyinka abaartu saameysay. Waxay ururin doonaan khibradaha biyaha ee dhallinyarada deegaankooda, waxayna codadkaas u qaadi doonaan Shirka Biyaha ee Qaramada Midoobay 2026 ee Abu Dhabi. Codsigu waa lacag la’aan.
Three themes that matter most in Somalia
Each theme is linked to one of the six official dialogues of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Drought, pastoral life & water points
Wells and berkads, rangeland and water-point management, livestock losses, early warning, climate migration and displacement.
Women, girls & water
Water collection and safety, sanitation and hygiene, women’s voice in water committees, inclusion of displaced and rural girls.
Finance for local water solutions
Climate and adaptation finance, local and youth-led solutions, transparency and accountability, private sector partnerships.
Across all themes: meaningful youth participation · gender equality · inclusion of pastoral, rural and displaced youth · local knowledge · climate justice · partnership with government and UN agencies
What you will do as an Ambassador
Apply & get selected
A three-person panel selects 50 participants from across Somalia’s regions — at least half of them young women.
Virtual kick-off
Learn about water and climate in Somalia, the UN Water Conference and the three themes, and receive the tool for collecting youth voices.
In-person training
Hands-on sessions with APCD on advocacy, public speaking and community consultation — in Mogadishu or Garowe, Puntland.
Collect youth voices
Gather the water experiences of at least ten young people in your community — in person or by WhatsApp voice notes.
Shape the Statement
Findings become the Somali Youth Water Statement, validated in Garowe and published in English and Somali.
Go to Abu Dhabi
The ten strongest participants are registered under PUSAN’s UN accreditation; five are fully funded to present the Statement and meet decision-makers.
Key dates
- Call for applicationsOnline
- Selection of 50 participantsOnline
- Virtual kick-off sessionOnline
- Selection & UN registration of 10 delegatesOnline
- Youth voices collectionAcross Somalia
- In-person training session 1Mogadishu
- Training session 2 & validation workshopGarowe, Puntland
- Somali Youth Water Statement publishedEnglish & Somali
- 2026 UN Water ConferenceAbu Dhabi, UAE
- Community feedback sessions & final reportSomalia
Eligibility
- Young Somalis aged 18–35, living in Somalia
- Able to join the virtual kick-off on 1 November and one in-person session (Mogadishu or Garowe)
- Committed to collecting the water stories of at least ten young people in your community
- Priority for young women and pastoral, rural and displaced youth
- Representation from Somalia’s regions
Free, and fully supported
- No fee to apply, to be trained or to be registered
- Data bundles for the virtual session
- Meals, venue and local transport at in-person sessions
- For the 5 funded delegates: flights, visas, accommodation, meals and local transport to Abu Dhabi
- A place in a lasting national network of Youth Water Ambassadors
Ready to be your community’s voice on water?
Applications close on 25 October 2026. It takes about 10 minutes, in English or Somali.
Hosted by
PUSAN Lead partner
Punt. Sustainable Agrilivestock Network — leads coordination, UN accreditation and registration, partnerships and the delegation to Abu Dhabi. Offices in Garowe and Mogadishu.
APCD Implementing partner
Agent for Peace & Climate Resilient Development — a youth-led Somali nonprofit that leads the in-person sessions in Mogadishu and Garowe and on-the-ground implementation.
Is there a fee? · Lacag ma la bixinayaa?
No. There is no fee to apply, to be trained or to be registered. · Maya, wax lacag ah lama bixinayo.
Can I apply in Somali? · Ma ku codsan karaa Af-Soomaali?
Yes. The application form is in English and Somali, and you can answer in either language. · Haa, foomku waa labada luqadood.
Who travels to Abu Dhabi?
Ten of the strongest participants are registered for the conference under PUSAN’s UN accreditation. Five of them are fully funded (flights, visas, accommodation, meals and local transport).
Do I need to speak English?
No, English is not required to join the program. It helps for the delegation to Abu Dhabi, so we ask about your level in the form.
When will I hear back?
Selection takes place from 26 to 31 October 2026. Selected participants are contacted by WhatsApp or email before the virtual kick-off on 1 November.