European Union and District Councils Launch €3.5 Million Grants to Strengthen LocalGovernance and Service Delivery in Sierra Leone.
- Guest
- May 8
- 3 min read
The European Union has launched a €3.5 million
programme to strengthen local governance and enhance service delivery across seven
Local Councils in Sierra Leone. The beneficiary councils are Bo, Falaba, Kailahun, Western
Area Rural District Councils, Koidu New Sembehun, Kenema, and Freetown City Council.
The launch ceremony took place at the EU Delegation, Freetown, and was attending by
mayors, chairpersons, chief administrators, and other senior officials from the respective
councils.This significant investment under this programme called “Support to Civil
Society and Local Authorities for Local Development” aims to deliver tangible results for
people of Sierra Leone through improved local planning, agricultural and infrastructure
development, and service delivery.
A key focus of the initiative is youth empowerment, targeting Sierra Leoneans aged
15–35 with skills training and civic engagement opportunities in the areas of
governance, accountability, and policymaking.
The programme will support:
Training for council and auxiliary staff in public financial management (PFM)
Updates to essential registers, including property rolls and business licenses
Micro-grants to chiefdom youth councils to support participation in local decision-
making
Revisions of local development plans to reflect evolving community needs
Internship for university students to gain valuable work experience
Additionally, the programme will finance the development of public infrastructure
through public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability and local revenue for the
councils.
EU’s Commitment to Decentralisation
Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Jacek Jankowski, reaffirmed
the EU’s long-standing commitment to decentralisation as a cornerstone of democratic
governance and sustainable development.
“For several years now, the EU has consistently supported devolution processes as key
tools to increase accountability and improve service delivery, yet we also recognise the
persistent challenges local authorities face, limited financial resources, incomplete
devolution, and institutional capacity constraints. Councils must be equipped with the
tools and funding they need to meet the expectations of the communities they serve,”
Ambassador Jankowski said.
He noted that the programme reaffirms the critical role of Local Authorities in
community-level development, aiming to empower councils for good governance, better
service delivery, and long-term sustainable outcomes.
Delegation of the European Union to Sierra Leone
Leicester Peak, Regent, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Web: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/sierra-leone_en;
Twitter: @EUinSierraLeone
Tel: +232 88 13 6000
Local Authorities’ Commitment
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of the Freetown City Council highlighted the EU’s previous
support to the council, including during the COVID-19 response and other interventions
aimed at improving sanitation in the municipality. She expressed a strong commitment
to implementing the new project under this programme for the benefit of Freetonians.
“This programme will benefit from an impact assessment of the Transform Freetown
Development Plan and the expansion of our Mob-Tax revenue system to integrate all
municipal sources. Also investments in smart waste management technology will also
support our green city agenda,” the Mayor said.
Chairpersons and Mayors from the other beneficiary councils, including Bo, Kailahun,
Falaba, Western Area Rural, Kenema, and Koidu New Sembehun, welcomed the new
programme and pledged their commitment to implement their respective projects
transparently, collaboratively and effectively to improve service delivery in their
localities.
Advancing the BIG 5 Agenda and SDGs
The EU’s support aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s BIG 5 Agenda and the
EU’s global commitment to empowering local authorities to deliver inclusive,
transparent, and citizen-centred services.
The grants specifically focus on:
Enhancing institutional and operational capacity of Local Authorities
Improving local tax revenue collection and fiscal decentralisation
Promoting inclusive and sustainable service delivery
Strengthening transparency, citizen participation, and accountability
Supporting Territorial Approaches to Local Development (TALD)
“This is more than an investment in infrastructure,” Ambassador Jankowski concluded.
“It’s a monumental opportunity to elevate local governance through innovation,
sustainability, and inclusive leadership. Decentralisation must be a lived reality,
delivering for people where it matters most: in their communities.”
As a reliable and long-standing development partner of Sierra Leone, the EU remains
committed to supporting inclusive local economic development and empowering
councils to deliver real change for citizens nationwide.
Comments