Ping Pong for Peace - Somalia

Somalia Table Tennis Federation (STTF)

In 1991, following the removal of the military dictatorship of Siad Barre, Somalia was plunged into armed violence. More than three decades later, and despite important strides towards stability, armed violence persists in limited parts of the country.

Project support start: 16-07-2024
Status: Project implementation
Project locations: Mogadishu, Baidoa and Kismayo, Somalia

The aim of the project is to promote peace in Somalia. To do this, the project will bring together individuals of all ages and genders to participate in community-based table tennis activities.

Contribution to the Global Goals

Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

Individual level change: Children and youth are provided with new competencies and opportunities through table tennis.
Family level change: Parents and caregivers are provided with new competencies and opportunities through table tennis.
Community level change: Communities are supported to promote peace.

Knowledge, skills or attitudes:

Youth, parents and caregivers have new competencies (for e.g., on health, disability, trauma) and marketable skills (for e.g., how to locally produce table tennis tables).
Children, youth, parents and caregivers playing table tennis improve their general motor competences (coordination, speed) and basic technical and tactical competencies (forehand, backhand, game strategy).

Community behaviour:

Communities develop greater resilience.
Table tennis infrastructure is expanded across Somalia and people of all ages, abilities, male and female, have the opportunity to play.

Systematic policy and institutional behaviour:

Increased awareness among national and international policy makers of how table tennis can promote peace.

Youth, parents and caregivers are provided with training and cash-for-work opportunities through the local production of table tennis tables.
Approximately 75 children, youth, parents and caregivers participate in regular community-based table tennis events and learn new competencies (for e.g., related to health, disability, trauma etc.).
Partnerships are developed between local table tennis coaches, teachers and community organisations with local and international experts/organisations on relevant topics, for e.g., health, disability, trauma.
One policy brief on table tennis and the promotion of peace – to be presented to national and international policymakers.