Project Background
The Government of Sierra Leone adopted the policy of
decentralization and accordingly enacted the Local
Government Act in 2004 and local government restored
through the support of UNDP and DFID. 19 local councils
were established with the mandate to deliver essential
social services in their localities. UNDP and a number of
donor agencies, including World Bank, EC and DFID, have
been providing significant support to the Government in
the implementation of the decentralization programme
through technical and budgetary support to develop
the capacity of local councils to deliver. In January 2007, a joint UNDP-UNCDF Kenema District
Economic Recovery Programme (KDERP) was launched as
a pilot programme, for a give year period. During or after the five-year pilot phase, the programme will be rolled out to other local councils
depending on the availability of funds until all the 19
councils are covered.
Project Objectives
To give impetus to the local development process by
introducing a local development fund and wider initiatives
on development planning and public expenditure management
for local government.
Project
Outcome
Decentralised processes strengthened and Local economic
activity enhanced through the efficient delivery of social
services
Links
with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
UNDP’s support to Government’s policy on decentralisation
and local governance programme through the
KDERP is linked to MDG 1 (focus on poverty
eradication and hunger; MDG 3 (focus on the empowerment of
women) through capacity building support to ward
committees with emphasis on women; and MDG 5 (focus on
improving maternal health) through support to enhance
delivery of healthcare services to women.
Sierra Leone