Equipment, materials, and practical tools to support 65 informal workers towards new opportunities for economic independence. This is the goal of the start-up toolkit distribution carried out in February 2026 as part of the projectINFORMA.L. – Educate, Regulate, Train, Work. From the informal to the formal for inclusive growth, peace and social dialogue in Somalia AID 012590/03/0.
The distribution involved 65 beneficiaries - 23 women and 42 men - in the fishing, tailoring, and small-scale retail sectors in Mogadishu, Afgoye, and Bal'ad. The toolkits were selected based on each worker's production needs, providing them with immediately usable tools to start or strengthen their economic activity.
For fishing, 30 beneficiaries received fishing nets, hooks, cold storage units, solar or manual refrigeration units, boots, and safety gloves. The 15 beneficiaries working in the tailoring workshop received fabrics to start production, manual or electric sewing machines, cutting tools, irons, and accessories. For small businesses, 20 kits were distributed, including scales, display shelves or mobile carts, packaging materials, and basic food products such as rice, flour, sugar, and legumes.
Each toolkit was accompanied by manuals and practical guidelines on equipment use and maintenance, business management, workplace safety, and environmentally friendly practices. The materials also address soft skills essential for running a small business, such as work planning, customer relations, and financial management.
The delivery was carried out by FESTU staff and operators from the Enterprise Development Units (EDU), who showed beneficiaries how to properly use and maintain the equipment. The distribution of the toolkits is part of a broader process for formalizing work, which is accompanied by orientation and support activities for business management and development, and access to support services for the gradual transition to the formal economy.
