The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of the Federal Government of Somalia has officially launched the Bulsho Project, a World Bank-funded programme aimed at strengthening communities and local institutions across the country.
The project was launched on 27 April 2026, with the Ministry thanking government institutions at both federal and state levels, the World Bank, international partners, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful launch of the programme.According to the Ministry, the main objective of the Bulsho Project is to promote social cohesion, inclusive participation, and community resilience, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
The first phase of the project will run for three and a half years and is backed by $35 million in funding from the World Bank.
The programme will be implemented through different levels of government, with participating Federal Member States expected to receive an equal allocation of $5 million each.The Ministry said preparations for the project began in May 2023, followed by initial meetings in November 2023 and consultations with Federal Member States in May 2024.
A final completion meeting was later held in February 2025 at the World Bank office in Nairobi.The World Bank Board approved the project on 29 April 2025, and it officially became effective on 8 August 2025.
The Ministry also noted that the newly formed North Eastern Federal Member State, whose formation was completed on 30 August 2025, was established after the preparation process for the project had already begun.
As a result, the Ministry said it is currently working to ensure the new administration is included in future projects and exploring ways for it to benefit from earlier programmes, including the Bulsho Project.
The Bulsho Project is expected to play a key role in supporting local governance, strengthening community participation, and improving resilience in areas that have historically faced limited access to government services and development programmes.
