Mogadishu, Somalia | June 21, 2026 — With support from BBC Media Action, the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) held an awards ceremony in Mogadishu on June 18, 2026, to recognize young people who demonstrated outstanding creativity in producing content that promotes peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
The event brought together journalists, media managers, civil society representatives, and government officials to celebrate innovative media initiatives that advance peace, social cohesion, dialogue, and conflict prevention. The awards were organized under the project “Building a Peaceful Future: Youth Empowerment Through Media Engagement in Somalia,” through which FESOJ has supported young people with training and mentorship over the past three years.
A total of 15 young participants from the Youth Peace Club and other media platforms competed by producing articles, videos, audio reports, and other creative content focused on peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Following an independent evaluation process, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud won first place, Faduma Ahmed Mohamud secured second place, and Ismail Abdulqadir Ahmed received third place.
Speaking during the event, Ahmed Ali Mohamed, Head of Training at FESOJ, highlighted the objectives of the competition and the series of trainings provided to young participants on peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Mohamed Abdullahi Gaas, Deputy Director of BBC Media Action, congratulated all participants and encouraged the winners to continue using their skills and creativity to contribute to sustainable peace and social cohesion in Somalia.
Representatives from civil society organizations, including Duniya Mohamed Ali and Ahmed Diini, also commended the participants for their commitment to promoting peace and preventing conflict through innovative media content. They emphasized the important role young people can play in fostering dialogue and strengthening community resilience.
The winners received certificates and cash prizes in recognition of their contributions to promoting a culture of peace. In his closing remarks, FESOJ Secretary General Farah Omar Nur thanked all participants for their efforts and noted that the awards represent not only recognition of achievement but also encouragement for continued engagement in building a more peaceful future for Somalia.
The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) with support from BBC Media Action.