Our Projects

 

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

 

Fostering Democratic Governance - 00049823

Components 1 and 2

Decentralisation and Local Governance

Justice Sector Reform and H/Rights

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.

Inaccessibility to justice by most Sierra Leoneans who reside in the provinces was one of the causes advanced for the decade-long civil conflict. The need for a programme that facilitates increased access to justice by citizens therefore became evident following the end of the war. A comprehensive judicial reform to address the functional and institutional weaknesses that inhibit the effective functioning of the Justice sector was thus embarked upon. Also, as provided for in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Act 2000, the Government of Sierra Leone established the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in as a follow-on commission that would implement the TRC recommendations. The NHRC lacks the requisite capacity to accomplish its mandate effectively. In response to this, UNDP in partnership with government and other agencies, has been providing substantial support to reform the judiciary and together with the United Nations Integrated Offices in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), towards building the capacity of the newly established Commission.

Project Objective

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.

Build the capacity of the judiciary and NHRC to ensure increased access to justice, speedy trials, reduction of backlog of cases and popularization of human rights issues.

Project Outcome

Decentralised processes strengthened and Local economic activity enhanced through the efficient delivery of social services

An effective, efficient and accountable justice system established; and increased awareness and respect for human rights.

Related Documents

Kenema District Recovery Programme (KDERP)

UNDP's support to Justice Sector

Corporate Thematic Areas

Fostering Democratic Governance

Fostering Democratic Governance, Justice, Rule of Law and Human Rights

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

Kenema (Pilot)

National

Project Duration

Four years (2007 – 2010)

One year

Project Officer

Alie B. Sesay
Pious Bockarie

Edward Kamara
Yuichiro Sakai

In-country partners

Ministry of Local Government & Community Development;
Ministry of Finance; Local Government Finance Department; Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Ministry of Justice; Human Right Commission of Parliament;
National Human Right Commission;
United Nations Integrated Office
in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) Human Right and Rule of Law Section

Funding

UNDP Trac, UNCDF, Irish Aid

UNDP Trac, DGTTF, PBF, Irish Aid

Budget

Links with 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.

Support to human rights and access to justice are linked to the MDGs in the following ways: 1. Supporting a functioning, accessible and transparent magistrate courts means that the poor have protection, representation and recourse to hold the powerful accountable for commitments to provide the services included in the various MDGs and targets.


 

Fostering Democratic Governance - 00049823

Components 3 and 4

Public Sector Reform

Electoral Reform and Processes

Project Background

UNDP’s support in this area focuses on supporting efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable public administrations in the following areas: Public Procurement Reform: UNDP supported the development of the Public Procurement Policy, establishment and capacity development of the National Public Procurement Authority to ensure that it can guide, train and oversee the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government to ensure their compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2004 and its full implementation.
Creation of the Senior Executive Service (SES): UNDP provides budgetary support to the SES implementation unit at the Office of the President, targeting civil servants with grades 11-14.
Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in the public sector through support to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, NPPA and the Local Government Service Commission.

UNDP provides support to the electoral systems and processes as critical contribution to the consolidation of peace in the country. UNDP, as an independent and neutral body, manages the multi-donor Basket Fund Project on the Electoral Reform, which is aimed at developing the institutional capacity of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) to ensure the delivery of free, fair and transparent elections in 2007. The Electoral Reform Project supports the seven step reform process of NEC namely: Restructuring of the Existing NEC; Staff Capacity Development; Infrastructure Development; Setting up of IT System; Reviewing Electoral Laws and Regulations; Boundary Delimitation; and Voter and Civic Registration for democratic rights and responsibilities. In doing so, UNDP ensures that youth and women's participation in elections as voters and candidates be increased and sustained. The project also supports development of Conflict Management and Resolution skills among political parties and candidates with a view to prevent possible electoral violence.

Project Objective

Building of national procurement capacity and restructuring of the civil service through the establishment of the Senior Executive Service.

Build the capacity (technical, logistics and administrative) of the National Electoral Commission to perform its electoral mandate.

Project Outcome

Public Administration Systems professionalized for effective service delivery.

A transparent and credible national and local elections conducted.

Related Documents

 

Electoral Reform Report

Corporate Thematic Areas

Fostering democratic governance and anti-corruption

Fostering Democratic Governance

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

National

Project Duration

Two years (2005 – 2007)

Three years (2005 – 2008)

Project Officer

Edward Kamara
Alie B. Sesay

Edward Kamara
Jorge Guzman

In-country partners

Office of the President;
Ministry of Finance

National Electoral Commission; Political Party Registration Commission; Sierra Leone Police, DFID, European Commission;
Japan; Irish Aid

Funding

UNDP Trac, DFID, DGTTF

UNDP Trac, DFIF, EC, Irish Aid, Japan, Denmark, GoSL

Budget

Links with MDGs

UNDP support to modernizing the Sierra Leone public administration is linked to achieving the MDGs in the following ways: 1. By improving the efficiency of the public administration through creation of SES will reduce costs on service delivery while the savings are used for better pursuit of MDG goals. 2. Increasing transparency and reducing corruption through support to NPPA and the MTEF Technical Team will reduce the misdirection of the scarce resources away from achieving MDG goals.

UNDP support to Electoral Systems and Processes are linked to MDGs in the following ways: 1. Civic education expands democratic participation, particularly for women and other under-represented segment of society; 2. Establishment of Basket funding mechanism helped reduced cost of electoral processes on national budget, hence more government resources freed up for direct poverty reduction programmes; 3. Strengthened capacity of Electoral Management Bodies for effective and transparent conduct of elections, hence less rejection of the elections outcomes and peaceful transition of power was experienced.

Democratic Governance Annual Work Plan

 

 

POVERTY REDUCTION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

MYFF Goal 2: Achieving the MDGs and reducing human poverty, increasing sustainable energy and environment development (This applies to all)

Programme Outcome for the poverty unit: Progressive improvement in all MDGs by 2010

Components 1 and 2

Support to Food Security

Microfinance for the Poor

Project Background

In efforts to banish hunger in Sierra Leone, since 2004 UNDP has been providing support, together with The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), towards building the knowledge-base of farmers in Farmers Field Schools. The strategy is to organize farmers into small groups at chiefdom, section, or village level for the establishment of their mechanisms for the reception and provision of resources. The participating farmers comprise men, women and youths who are trained to promote their own development whilst other agents merely contribute towards the initiatives. The programme targets at least 100,000 farmers within five years; but presently, more than 510 schools are in existence. The farmers’ groups typically consist of 25 to 30 members, mostly youths. Overall, support has been provided to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security to assist in policy formulation.

The Microfinance Programme focuses on the development of a sustainable microfinance sector and strengthening of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) for increased access to micro credit. Through grant funding to MFIs and Community Banks, an opportunity is provided to improve the livelihoods of the poor, particularly the majority who live in rural communities. Approximately 160,000 clients have been targeted and 40,000 are already being serviced. Direct support is also provided to women and youths on small enterprise skills training and access to resources for small business activities, thereby improving their income security.

Project Objective

Support skills development and knowledge to farmers for increased food production.
Support farmers to establish viable farm and off- farm enterprises.
Provide farm equipment to enhance food processing and marketing

Train Microfinance Institutions to provide financial services to
93,000 clients.
Establish strategic partnerships for additional resource mobilization
Provide improved policy environment and disseminate sound principles for a sustainable microfinance sector.

Project Outcome

Increased food production, household food security and farm incomes.

Increase outreach and attain sustainability
Build strategic partnerships
Strengthen the Central Bank to integrate MF in to Financial sector
Accept, adopt and widely disseminate sound MF principles.

Related Documents

Operation Feed the Nation

Evaluation of “Pilot Decentralization of Agriculture and Food Security” Project

Memorandum of Understanding between UNDP, UNCDF, MODEP and BSL

Development of a Sustainable Pro-poor Financial Sector in Sierra Leone 2004 - 2009

Development of a Sustainable Pro-poor Financial Sector in Sierra Leone Mid-Term Evaluation

Corporate Thematic Areas

Poverty Reduction - Women and Youth Empowerment

Poverty reduction and
empowerment of youth
and women

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

National

Project Duration

2006-2009

2004 – 2009

Project Officer

Tanzila Sankoh

Abdulrahman Conteh
Peter Kulungulu - MITAF

In-country partners

FAO, MAFS, ABUs, FFS

Ministry of Finance and
Development,
Bank of Sierra Leone,
Community Banks

Funding

UNDP, Irish Aid

UNDP, Irish Aid

Budget

US$537,500

US$8.3 million

Links with MDGs

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Sector

Agriculture

Finance and Development

 

Components 3 and 4

Aid Coordination

Private Sector Development

Project Background

This project provides a framework for support to the Development Assistance Co-ordination Office (DACO) for the implementation of the PRSP and to ensure the effective tracking, monitoring and evaluation of all types of aid flows, including for development, humanitarian assistance and security.

UNDP's Private Sector Development Programme focuses on creating an enabling environment for promoting the private sector through trade and investment. In collaboration with other partners, an extensive review of the operating environment for the private sector has been carried out to identify its constraints and challenges. In an effort to build the capacity of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) as the lead government institution responsible for policy formulation, support is provided for planning and research as part of a broad-based institutional capacity building effort. This support has played a pivotal role in strengthening MTI’s capacity to engage on international trade issues and private sector development.

Project Objective

Provide support to establish and manage development assistance database.
Produce national aid policy and reports on aid inflow and management.

Improve capacity for Private Sector Development through trade policy formulation, investment promotion, and increased national participation in global trade and investment activities.

Project Outcome

Strengthen capacity and systems for poverty monitoring and to prepare the PRSP and monitor its implementation for poverty reduction.

One key outcome is the organization of an Investment Forum on Trade and Investment Opportunities in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is also fully engaged in the Integrated Framework (IF) process, a multi-agency, multi-donor programme to promote the integration of the Lesser Developed Countries into the global economy through trade. Through this initiative, Sierra Leone has already conducted a Diagnostic Trade Integration Study for trade-related technical assistance. A draft action matrix has been developed to implement a programme for addressing the impediments to private sector development.
In partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the programme also addresses capacity building for indigenous small to medium-sized enterprises to create opportunities for self-employment and income generation, particularly among youths. This initiative is supported through growth centres, under the supervision of UNIDO and MTI. Promoting public-private partnerships through consultations and dialogue is also a key component of the programme. In addition, support is provided for strengthening the capacity of the Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Leone Indigenous Business Association.

Related Documents

Sierra Leone Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

Diagnostic Trade Integration Study

Corporate Thematic Areas

Poverty reduction and effective aid management

Poverty reduction and
development of Global partnership

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

National

Project Duration

2006 - 2007

2007 – 2012

Project Officer

Stephen Bainous Kargbo
Kawusu Kebbay - DACO

Peter Donelan
Beatrice Dove-Edwin - MTI

In-country partners

DACO

Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI),  United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO-SL), Ministry of Tourism
 and Culture

Funding

UNDP-TRAC, EC, DFID

Integrated Framework Trust Fund

Budget

US$13,000,000

Links with MDGs

Goal 8 - Develop a global partnership for development

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Sector

Aid Coordination and aid management.

 

 

 

Components 5 and 6

Pro-poor Policy Formulation & Advocacy

Institutional Capacity for Development
 

Project Background

The core of UNDP support is technical and policy interventions for key Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper preparatory activities (advocacy and national sensitization, sector reviews, participatory processes for poverty assessments and focused group discussions); Millennium Development Goals tracking, reporting, planning and budgeting processes; participatory tracking of national budget inputs and outcomes in key poverty sectors through Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys; production of the National Human Development and  the Millennium Development Reports, including support to commemorative activities such as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Literacy Day, World Food Day, launching of the annual Global Human Development Reports, etc.

Weak capacity of Government to drive development process have necessatitated the need to provide manpower and logistical support to office of the Presidency and other key Ministries , Departments and Agencies.

Project Objective

The cardinal objective is to enhance the capacity of government and civil society to formulate and implement, in a participatory manner, a well-targeted pro-poor strategy and MDGs-based planning processes by strengthening national capacities for pro-poor policy advocacy, monitoring of MDGs, tracking of national budget inputs and outcomes, and support to global poverty and human development commemorative activities.

Provide logistical and human resource support to key Ministries, Departments and Agencies to perform their statutory functions.

Project Outcome

Increased livelihood opportunities for the poor; stabilized and competitive economy.

Strengthened capacity for policy formulation and programme monitoring in the Presidency.

Related Documents

 

 

Corporate Thematic Areas

Poverty Reduction and Human Development

Poverty reduction and human development.

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

Freetown

Project Duration

2006 - 2007

2007-2008

Project Officer

Stephen Bainous Kargbo

Stephen Bainous Kargbo

In-country partners

Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Development, Statistics Sierra Leone, Civil Society and Ministry of Local Government and
Community Development

Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, and Office of the Presidency Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Development, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, and Office of the Presidency

Funding

UNDP-TRAC

UNDP-TRAC

Budget

US$1,219,654.87

US$729,900.00

Links with MDGs

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

 

Sector

Human Development, advocacy and policy formulation

Human Development

 

 

Peace and Development

Components 1 and 2

Youth Engagement, Employment and Empowerment

Arms for Development

Project Background

With the end of the armed conflict and the signing of the peace agreement in 2001, Sierra Leone has been faced with the need to meet the challenges of building a democratic, peaceful, stable and multi-ethnic society. Over the last few years, noticeable progress has been achieved, with the elections of a new president and Parliament, and the establishment of key governing institutions, etc. However, the increasing number of unemployed and marginalized young people is now seriously compromising the overall stability of the country. The youth population is estimated at about a third of the total population, with more than 60% of them being unemployed. Many of the youths were of school-going age during the war and had therefore been deprived of basic education.
At 31%, Sierra Leone’s adult literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world. There also exists considerable gender and geographical parity in literacy rates. Less than 20 percent of females can read English and do written calculation, whereas more than 35 percent of males can. Illiteracy is therefore one of the key challenges Sierra Leone faces in meeting the Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty among youths.
In addition, drug abuse and prostitution are becoming widespread among the youth. Also, available evidence suggests the incidence of HIV/AIDs among youths is on the rise.

The prolonged conflict in Sierra Leone deeply impacted on the rural communities and often left them poor, vulnerable, and deprived of even the most basic necessities such as good schools, health centres, productive assets, and opportunities for social recreation.
As part of UNDP’s integrated strategy to return Sierra Leone into lasting peace and stability, the Arms for Development (AfD) project was launched in 2003 following conclusion of the Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Programme in 2002. The AfD initiative, which is still ongoing, aims to enhance the conditions for stability, human security, and opportunities for socio-economic development in the rural communities of Sierra Leone. It is a community empowerment project, to promote the voluntary surrender of weapons in exchange for development in rural communities. The project takes into account that some of the underlying issues of the conflict remain a serious impediment to social cohesion. It does this through the fostering of a sense of belonging and encouraging people to work together towards a common goal, while reflecting on the needs of the community as a whole. It also assists in stimulating decision-making on issues affecting their security and development through democratic consensus.
Since the inception of the project in 2003, the AfD has collected about 6,112 mostly hunting rifles and has promoted community safety through the identification and detonation of 44 items of unexploded ordinance scattered about farming fields. UNDP provides a development grant to chiefdoms that have cooperated in the voluntarily surrendered of their arms after verification and certification by the Sierra Leone Police. The money is utilised on the implementation of a community project of the people’s choice. About 50 community projects identified are now at different stages of implementation.

Project Objective

To provide rapid employment opportunities and income generating activities for young people;
To strengthen the youth division of the of Ministry Education, Youth and Sports at national and local levels, and to facilitate the participation of young people in decision-making processes;
To mainstream youth employment issues into all national policies and development initiatives;
To build on successful on-going youth projects as well as implement pilot initiatives for the purpose of providing immediate employment, while simultaneously developing a medium and long-term strategy for tackling youth unemployment; and
To lead to increased engagement in economic viable activities and as such result in increased employment.

To promote community arms collection through voluntary surrender in exchange for develop­ment projects;
To support national institutional capacity building for small arms control; and
To support border strengthening initiatives

Project Outcome

Jobs created for youths
Youth database and youth directory established
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports capacitated and youth organizations strengthened Youth to have received literacy and informal education relevant to income generation
Youth sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking, and HIV/AIDS
National Employment Policy and Youth Empowerment Act formulated
District Committees and National Youth Council established
National Youth Strategy implemented

Improved security and opportunities for socio-economic development in rural communities

Related Documents

 

Arms for Development Project 2007 End of year Report

Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

Corporate Thematic Areas

Peace Consolidation and security

Peace Consolidation and Security

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

National

Project Duration

Two Years (2006-2008)

Four years (2004 - 2008)

Project Officer

Wahab Shaw

Elisa Glasgow

Mohamed Momoh Kamara

In-country partners

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Trade and Industry , Ministry of Tourism and Culture, National Drug Control Agency, Youth collaborative forum, youth groups and youth networks and UN agencies

Sierra Leone Police, District Councils, District Security Committees, Provincial Security Committees, Office of National Security, Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms, GTZ

Funding

UNDP Trac, Irish Aid, Norway, Japan and Sweden

Japan, Sweden, Norway and Germany

Budget

US$5,975,000

Sector

Peace Consolidation and Development

Peace Consolidation and Development

 

Components 3 and 4

Sierra Leone Information Systems

Communications

Project Background

SLIS is a component of the Development Assistance Coordination Office (DACO), which itself is positioned under the Office of the Vice President.
SLIS was established by UN-OCHA in 2002 to coordinate the collection of data of war related socio-economic destruction down to Chiefdom level. In addition, the “Who does What, Where” data base was established to identify the various Humanitarian Relief actors, their projects and project locations on Chiefdom level. Analysing that information gave birth to the District Data Packs, Sector Data Packs and the Sierra Leone Encyclopedia Compact Disc annually produced by SLIS. These products formed the basis for the Consolidated Appeals Process during the Humanitarian Relief phase.
In 2004, as Sierra Leone was transitioning from Relief to Development, the role of SLIS was re-examined and re-adjusted. It was agreed that the SLIS products should shift focus from humanitarian relief to development. In addition, expatriates from SLIS were commissioned to provide specialized capacity skills development for certain Government institutions. While the mandate to produce the Data Packs was claimed by a national institution SLIS kept producing its well known product - the Sierra Leone Encyclopedia.
Today SLIS consist of 3 units:
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Development Unit
Application Solution Development Unit
Web Development Unit.

Following the restoration of civil order after the conflict which ended in 2001, efforts to rebuild the governance structure of the country were set in motion. One of the outcomes of the crisis was the destruction of basic infrastructure including that of the public information systems. In addition, many of the trained and experienced communication practitioners left the country for safety and greener pastures, depleting the human resources capacity of government to communicate effectively, its development programmes and reach out to its numerous constituencies. Arguably, a strong communications and public information capacity offers much-needed clarity and coherence for the implementation of national programs and projects.
The Government of Sierra Leone acknowledged the ineffectiveness of the public information machinery in communicating government policies, strategies and programmes to improve awareness, acceptability, transparency and accountability at all levels. The situation had resulted in the misinformation and misunderstanding of government intentions and actions and a disconnection on the population.
A free-flow of communication is critical to building confidence and consolidating peace dividends of post-conflict interventions. Absence of effective and clear communication alienates the population and reverses the positive reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. In addition, it undermines the fragile security situation.
The project, ‘Strengthening Public Information Systems’, aims to strengthen national capacity for long-term effective dissemination of public information for sustainable human development. The project will assist in building a sustainable system for public information management, which will contribute to improving citizens’ access to information and flow of information; both are vital for open democratic society.

Project Objective

Assisting DACO and Government in developing capacity at Local Councils level and within the Ministries in the area of data collection, processing, management and analysis as well as promoting the usage of such information products in strategic planning and policy formulation.
Developing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure to create new and enhance existing geographical datasets of Sierra Leone and building the capacity in national stakeholder institutions in this regard. It supports the operational systems designed by the Application Solution Development Unit with geo-spatial applications and assists a wide community of Government, Ministries and National Commissions, UN Agencies, INGOs and NGOs to facilitate their work by introducing a geo-spatial approach.
Creating operational systems for the Office of the Vice President, Ministry of Mineral Resources, Office of National Security, Freetown City Council and other Government institutions, which require administrative systems. The systems are primarily designed to meet the benchmarks set out by the PRS, MDGs and the RBM program currently being implemented across all Ministries. Examples are a Disaster Management support tool, a Mining Cadastre database administering Industrial and Artisanal Mining Rights through their life cycle or systems supporting the set up of transparent revenue collection mechanisms for local governments.
Aiding UNDP and other Government Agencies in realizing their own data dissemination goals by the means of Internet.

The objectives of a communications plan for GoSL will respond to the key issues outlined, and provide solutions that will help manage expectations of key constituencies and foster teamwork between GoSL and the national media corps as development partners. The strategic objectives of this strategy is to promote transparency of Government activities.

Project Outcome

Build the capacity of local councils and Government ministries. Designed  UNDP country office website and produce an annual information tool - Sierra Leone Encyclopedia

The following are identified outcomes of the project:
Developing a well informed citizenry of Sierra Leone
Public information sector improved for efficient and effective communications delivery
Improving the professionalism and journalistic integrity of the national independent media corps
Augmenting national capacity and efficiency in disseminating public information that contributes to strategic development initiatives and the achievement of the MDGs

Related Documents

 

Communications Strategy

Corporate Thematic Areas

Capacity Building

Promote transparency of
Government activities

Project Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

National

Project Duration

 

2005-2007

Project Officer

Alpha Turay

Peter Ngu Tayong
Kalilu Totangi

In-country partners

DACO, District Councils, Office of the Vice President, Office of National Security, Ministry of Mineral Resources

Ministry of Information &
Communication
Ministry of Development

Funding

TIFF

 

Links with MDGs

 

A radio programme, ‘Development Dialogue’ was designed to support the Poverty Reduction Strategy, targeting MDG1, reducing poverty.

Sector

ICT Development

Communications

 

 

Components 5

Transition Support Team (TST)

Project Background

The Transition Support Team (TST) was established in 2003 to support the transition process from relief to development in Sierra Leone. The TST refers directly to the Resident Coordinator. It works in collaboration with the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) and the other UN units in the districts.

After the phasing out of the OCHA presence in the field (July 2004), and the elections of the Local Councils (May 2004) the TST embarked on an effort to create coordination structures that would include UN Agencies (through the UN District Teams), INGOs (through the Inter Agency Forums) and the Council (through the Local Council’s Planning Committee).

It supports the District Councils in their efforts to take the lead in the transition from recovery to poverty reduction and long-term development. In 2005, the TST facilitated joint planning between the District Councils and the United Nations. This in 2006 and 2007 continued into joint district development planning with district council partners.
 

Project Objective

i. To identify needs and priorities and develop strategies, plans and projects to facilitate the delivery of essential services in support of district councils.

ii. To support local government authorities in their effort to take the lead in the delivery and coordination of development aid in the districts.

Project Outcome

Transition to long-term development, taking as a point of departure the decentralization process, in terms of

  1. Adoption and operationalization of Sierra Leone’s decentralization policy, ensuring the restoration of local governments, leading to the facilitation of the transition from District Recovery Committees to District Councils.

  2. Formulation of district development plans in collaboration with local councils, the Decentralization Secretariat, line ministries, the National Commission for Social Action, etc.

  3. Quality delivery of sustainable services, ensuring facilitated implementation of transition initiatives and community empowerment projects

Field integration of the United Nations, in view of delivering as one

  1. Management of UN integrated offices in five districts and facilitates representation of the UN Country Team in the districts through the UN District Teams.

Corporate Thematic Areas

Capacity Building, Community Development

Project Status

Ongoing

Geographical Focus

National

Project Duration

2003-2010

Project Officer

Alpha U. Sesay

In-country pa