By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
June 10, 2026 - The Ergo International Peace Initiative (EIPI) has launched a programme aimed at equipping young people in Mandera North with digital skills, peacebuilding knowledge, and climate resilience strategies to help them address challenges facing their communities.
The initiative, dubbed the Digital Peace and Climate Resilience Academy, seeks to train 200 young people from Mandera North on the use of digital technology, social cohesion, and climate adaptation measures. The project is supported by the European Union through the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Programme.
A total of 130 youth participated in an innovation forum held in Rhamu, Mandera North, where they identified local challenges and proposed innovative solutions to issues affecting their communities, including insecurity, unemployment, and climate change.
According to EIPI, the ideas and recommendations generated during the forum will be used to develop the training curriculum for the programme. The 200 beneficiaries will undergo training in four cohorts of 50 participants each.
EIPI Executive Director Imran Mohamed, speaking during the forum, said the programme is designed to empower young people to take charge of their future by harnessing digital technology to drive positive change.
He noted that the initiative targets pastoralist youth, young women, and conflict-affected young people, with a focus on addressing barriers to digital inclusion, gender disparities, and climate-related conflicts.
"The future belongs to young people who can innovate and create solutions. Through digital skills and peacebuilding training, we want to empower them to become agents of change in their communities," he said.
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The training programme will also cover climate-smart agricultural practices, peacebuilding, and social integration to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change in arid and drought-prone regions.
Mandera North Deputy County Commissioner Justin Maina lauded the initiative, urging young people to take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy rather than relying solely on formal employment opportunities.
He encouraged participants to use the skills acquired through the programme to develop sustainable solutions to insecurity and climate-related challenges affecting the region.
"Young people should embrace innovation and digital opportunities to create solutions that address both security concerns and the impacts of climate change in their communities," said Maina.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the programme will enhance youth empowerment, strengthen community resilience, and contribute to peace and sustainable development in Mandera North.