A vibrant civil society is essential to the sustenance of any nation’s development. In Puntland State of Somalia, the role of civil society groups has been vital in the political, social and economic development of the country. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have assisted in improving the life’s quality of the people of Puntland, ensuring good governance, developing the capacity of the government to apply the principles of accountability, transparency and openness; and working towards sustainable development of the region and state. The CSOs have also played an important role in delivering humanitarian assistance, while they fill the void created by the collapse of the government.
The major objective of this study was to understand the current environment for civil society’s operations and to recommend actions for effective and coordinated work of CSOs in Puntland. Twenty three organizations in Galkacyo and Garowe cities participated in this study through in-depth interviews on issues of structure, functionality, goals and objectives to examine their challenges and strengths. The research sought to understand civil society’s creative power and collective action, while they attempt to stay sustainable and relevant to the needs of the citizens, who depend on their local CSO to solve their social problems.
