Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway: Contributions to Peacebuilding?

The document examines over 200 registered migrant organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway, noting that while many are inactive or focused on local community needs, some engage in peacebuilding through humanitarian aid or advocacy. It identifies that capacity is limited by fragmentation within communities, restrictive laws in countries of origin (such as Ethiopia's Law on Charities and Societies), and security risks in Somalia. The authors recommend that European institutions adopt long-term, coherent policies and avoid rigid 'equitable distribution' funding models that can inadvertently exacerbate clan-based conflicts.

• There is a high volume of registered diaspora organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway, but they are characterized by extreme fragmentation and instability. Out of over 200 identified organizations, approximately 150 are Somali, 28 Ethiopian, and 23 Eritrean, with the majority founded after 2000. Most are run by a single person or small group on a voluntary basis and are considered 'very instable'.
• Somali diaspora organizations in Norway often frame their peacebuilding efforts as 'humanitarian aid' or 'development aid' focused on specific regions. For instance, education projects are viewed as peacebuilding because they reduce the risk of youth engaging in violent conflict. However, the security situation in South-Central Somalia and border areas between Somaliland and Puntland has restricted their capacity since 2006.
• Ethiopian diaspora organizations in Norway rarely use the term 'peacebuilding' because it is politically contested and could hinder their ability to operate. Many are religious or ethnic (specifically Oromo) groups focusing on activities within Norway. Their capacity to work in Ethiopia is further limited by the January 2009 Law on Charities and Societies, which bans 'foreign NGOs' (those receiving over 10% foreign funding) from peacebuilding and human rights activities.
• Eritrean organizations in Norway are divided between pro-government and opposition factions, with limited space for the latter. Because the community in Norway is small, some organizations rely on international networks; for example, the Norwegian branch of the Young People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (YPFDJ) is small but part of a larger worldwide organization.
• Current funding models that require 'equitable distribution'—such as requiring support from all major clans in Somalia—can be harmful. The document argues this approach ignores political realities and can solidify dividing lines and increase conflict over resources.

APA

Horst, C., & Gaas, M. H. (2009). Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway: Contributions to Peacebuilding? Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/9e9e21e3-90c3-45e9-aac4-a46b78653ce8/Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway PRIO Policy Brief 2-2009.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Horst, Cindy, and Mohamed Husein Gaas. Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway: Contributions to Peacebuilding? Peace Research Institute Oslo, 2009. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/9e9e21e3-90c3-45e9-aac4-a46b78653ce8/Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway PRIO Policy Brief 2-2009.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Horst |first1=Cindy |last2=Gaas |first2=Mohamed Husein |title=Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway: Contributions to Peacebuilding? |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |date=2009 |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/9e9e21e3-90c3-45e9-aac4-a46b78653ce8/Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway PRIO Policy Brief 2-2009.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{horst2009diaspora, author = {Horst, Cindy and Gaas, Mohamed Husein}, title = {{Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway: Contributions to Peacebuilding?}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, year = {2009}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/9e9e21e3-90c3-45e9-aac4-a46b78653ce8/Diaspora Organizations from the Horn of Africa in Norway PRIO Policy Brief 2-2009.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }