Sierra Leone—Support to Civil Society and Local Authorities for Local Development

Strengthening governance is key to achieve long-term internal peace and economic and social development in Sierra Leone. The country aims at improving the capacity of local governance structures to deliver appropriate services to local communities as part of a decentralization process. The Local Government Act 2004 (amended in 2017) provides the legal framework that guides this decentralization. Despite significant milestone achievements in the devolution of functions, fiscal autonomy, and service delivery, several challenges persist, in part due to the absence of a dedicated policy that can translate increasing political commitment to more meaningful powers for local councils.

Our assistance fosters decentralization by empowering local authorities as well as local and rural civil society groups in selected districts to plan and implement jointly agreed initiatives of service delivery, or capital investment that responds to the needs of communities. We help facilitate joint decision-making processes, where civil society, women, and young people contribute to public policymaking and service provision. Our assistance also supports relevant institutions at the central government in building inclusive and participative reform processes.

Sample Activities

• Provide support to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Local Government Service Commission on issues relating to strengthening decentralization and addressing shortcomings in the devolution of services.
• Provide assistance including capacity building to the six pilot councils of Bombali, Falaba, Kambia, Karene, Kenema, and Pujehun Districts to enhance the effective implementation of their grant contracts.
• Collaborate with the Local Councils Association of Sierra Leone to promote women in local leadership positions and to strengthen their capacity for project implementation as well as to implement their existing plans.
• Provide long-term senior expertise at the central level to lead the methodological design, implementation, and coordination of assistance in the districts, and to provide secretariat and technical support to the Steering Committee.
• Undertake studies, advocacy initiatives, and policy dialogue in support of harmonized legal, policy, and institutional frameworks related to decentralization.

Select Results

• Developed a strategy for strengthening the review processes for the decentralization policy and the Local Government Act.
• Developed draft capacity needs assessment and a draft capacity-building strategy that were validated by the councils to ensure ownership, adoption, and implementation.
• Developed a robust monitoring and evaluation capacity development action plan to be implemented and monitored at national and council levels using a clearly defined implementation monitoring matrix.
• Supported districts to plan and integrate COVID-19 activities into their grant applications.
• Supported the strengthening of administrative systems to enhance the smooth operations of the councils.
• Supported the strengthening of local accountability structures to promote transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in the governance of the councils.
• Supported the implementation and coordination of COVID-19 prevention and response mechanisms.