Funded by IPA’s Peace & Recovery Program and in collaboration with Consilient Research and the Sababi Institute, researchers are conducting a pilot study in Somalia to measure whether a semi-monthly facilitated mothers group among internally displaced persons increases trust and willingness to cooperate with each other and how it impacts employment opportunities.

In collaboration with Consilient Research and the Sababi Institute, researchers are conducting a pilot study in Somalia to measure the impact of a semi-monthly facilitated mothers group among internally displaced persons designed to increase social network size and density. Specifically, they will evaluate whether this program increases mothers’ trust and willingness to cooperate with each other. They will analyze how this impacts employment and entrepreneurship through three pathways: 1) a direct effect of social network size on labor market outcomes; 2) an indirect effect in which social support networks improve mental health and subsequent labor market outcomes; and 3) an indirect effect in which group ties and trust allow participants to organize childcare with other trusted group members, facilitating labor force participation.

The findings of the pilot will highlight the impact of social support structures on fostering economic empowerment and self-reliance among displaced populations.

Implementing Partner