丨马里丨MASS

Iftin Peace Hub

Project Data

Year: 2022

Status: In Progress

Size: 1400 sq m

Location: Caabudwaaq, Galmudug Region, Somalia, Africa

Partners: Iftin Global

Collaborators: Adaptiv, TRD Consulting

Focus areas: Civic Spaces & Cultural Centers, Education, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Services: Architecture, Engineering, Film & Media

Project Team: Cameron Bailey, Thatcher Bean, Roger Biziyaremye, Elsemieke de Boer, Francis Fotsing, Harriet Kirk, Anton Larsen Payá, Tilly Lenartowicz, Aimable Mukire, Hervé Gilbert Ngenzi, Jean Luc Ntwali, Jean Luc Ntwali, Megan Suau, Connor Tuthill, Theophile Uwayezu, Christian Uwinkindi

Full Team: Project Team: Cameron Bailey, Thatcher Bean, Roger Biziyaremye, Elsemieke de Boer, Francis Fotsing, Harriet Kirk, Anton Larsen Payá, Tilly Lenartowicz, Aimable Mukire, Hervé Gilbert Ngenzi, Jean Luc Ntwali, Jean Luc Ntwali, Megan Suau, Connor Tuthill, Theophile Uwayezu, Christian Uwinkindi

The Iftin Peace Hub is an entrepreneurship and community center for at-risk youth in Somalia that will house spaces for learning, entrepreneurship, gathering, and healing.

Since its inception in 2012, Iftin Global has been sowing the seeds of peace through sustainable development by equipping young Somalis with skills, entrepreneurial acumen, and psychosocial support.

Somalia’s predominantly youthful population is an untapped reservoir for economic advancement. Roughly two-thirds of young Somalis experience “waithood”—a period of stagnation between youth and adulthood marked by unemployment. A lack of job opportunities increases hopelessness and perpetuates violence among this young population, leading to chronic instability and conflict in the larger community. Current inequalities and conditions are deeply ingrained, making reintegration and healing near impossible for many young Somalis.

With support from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program, Iftin partnered with MASS to design and build the first phase of the Iftin Peace Hub—a new community center that will empower young people in Somalia to become agents of peace and prosperity.

The space will provide access to mental health support with psychosocial counseling to prevent violent extremism and facilitate the socio-economic integration of at-risk youth and ex-combatants. Through a holistic and integrated approach, the Hub will allow Iftin to serve twice as many people and recruit participants who were not previously proximate to the program.

Participants will acquire literacy, vocational and business skills, and gain certification through Iftin’s training programs, which include gender equity programming. They will be equipped with a network of business mentors to facilitate job placement and nurture small businesses across multiple industries.

Communal recreational spaces, including a football pitch and community gardens, will offer moments for pause and play. The design mirrors the Hub’s multifaceted approach to peace, education, and community development. Each programmatic area is symbolized by a geometric shape—square, circle, and triangle—nested in the architectural plan.

Square: Central to the Iftin Peace Hub, the square signifies healing and gathering. It is a nurturing space for mental wellness and community unity, featuring areas for counseling, learning, and spiritual activities that foster a strong communal bond.

Circle: Representing Education and Entrepreneurship, the circle encompasses learning and business development facilities, equipping individuals with skills for job success and financial autonomy.

Triangle: The triangle symbolizes Community and Landscape, offering outdoor and social spaces such as playgrounds, sports fields, and gardens, promoting communal interaction and leisure.

By creating a welcoming home for connection and growth, the Iftin Peace Hub will empower young people in Somalia to become agents of peace and prosperity.