The CED-implemented GESI investment was launched in August 2018 and targeted women, female youth, excluded groups and local civil society actors in Beletweyne, Warsheikh and Jowhar districts in Hirshabelle state. The project aimed at supporting women platforms and other project stakeholders such as non-state actors, excluded groups, youth and gender champions to host sensitization and mobilization activities. Project activities included advocacy; awareness campaigns; debate competitions in schools; intergenerational and intercommunity workshops and seminars; roundtable meetings with key state actors; and NSA-led grassroots empowerment campaigns. Specifically, the project was designed to achieve the following key outputs that collectively contribute to “Enhanced popular participation in governance, particularly for women and excluded communities.”  Output 1: Effective local state/non-state actors and women coalitions influence women’s participation in governance and political processes, plans and budgets by December 2019, Output 2: Women, excluded groups and communities in target areas have increased awareness on women and excluded groups’ rights in governance and political participation to influence decisions by December 2019, Output 3: Capacity building for women and excluded groups without positions on advocacy, leadership, electoral processes, civic responsibility and governance