RCO

Stakeholders use data to identify 9 Chiefdoms for Spotlight rollout in Moyamba, Kailahun & Falaba. 

Stakeholders in Falaba, Moyamba, and Kailahun have identified nine Chiefdoms for the EU–UN funded Spotlight Initiative 2.0, a four-year programme to end violence against women and girls (VAWG). The choice was based on GBV prevalence, access to services, community support, and harmful social norms.Falaba: Mongor, Neya, SulimaMoyamba: Korri, Kagboro, RibbiKailahun: Luawa, Yawel, MalemaMinister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, praised the inclusive process and noted benefits will extend beyond the nine Chiefdoms to entire districts and the country.Launched nationally in July 2025, Spotlight 2.0 builds on the 2018–2023 phase—the largest global investment to end GBV. It focuses on four outcomes: strengthening the enabling environment, preventing violence, survivor-centered services, and empowering civil society.Implementation will be led by UNDP (laws & policies), UNICEF (social norms), UNFPA (survivor services), and UN Women (civil society empowerment), with Rainbo Initiative working nationally. The programme aims to drive a significant reduction in violence against women and girls in Sierra Leone.

WFP

In collaboration with NDMA empower local disaster committees in flood-prone regions. 

As part of its ongoing commitment to building resilient communities, the World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), has launched a targeted initiative to strengthen District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs) in flood-prone areas across the country.This strategic partnership follows the successful completion of operational readiness training, equipping DDMCs with the tools and knowledge necessary to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies. By enhancing local capacity, the initiative aims to ensure that these district-level committees are not only functional but also proactive in managing disaster risks.The collaboration between WFP and NDMA is fostering improved coordination among stakeholders and promoting a culture of preparedness. Through this joint effort, communities are being empowered to take ownership of their disaster response strategies, ultimately contributing to safer and more resilient environments.This initiative marks a significant step forward in decentralizing disaster management and reinforcing the role of local actors in safeguarding lives and livelihoods. 

UNDPEmpowers women-led businesses to represent Sierra Leone at IATF 2025.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone has supported women-led enterprises that took part in the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), in Algiers, Algeria from September 4–10, 2025. It was organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

IATF2025 is Africa’s premier trade and investment platform, bringing together thousands of businesses, policymakers, and investors from across the continent and beyond. 
The trade fair presented an invaluable opportunity for Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs to showcase innovative “Made in Sierra Leone” products, built partnerships, and expanded into new markets. Their participation highlighted the growing role of women in driving inclusive economic growth and innovation.
Through its local economic development programmes, UNDP provides grants, technical assistance, and business development support to women entrepreneurs, helping them strengthen their enterprises and access larger value chains.
This year, three women-led businesses, Shea & More, Trippie’s Clothing, and Grace & Co Food Processing Enterprise represented Sierra Leone at IATF2025. Together, they showcased skincare, fashion, and agro-processing products that reflected the creativity and resilience of Sierra Leonean women.
UNDP’s support underscored its commitment to empowering women in business and advancing Sierra Leone’s national development priorities. By connecting local enterprises to continental and global platforms, UNDP is helping to unlock opportunities that drive sustainable growth and create lasting impact. 
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ITC ITC’s READY Salone delegation undertakes benchmarking mission in Korea. A high-level delegation from Sierra Leone is in the Republic of Korea for a nine-day benchmarking mission under the Korea-funded READY Salone project, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC). Led by the Minister of Youth Affairs Ibrahim Sannoh, the delegation includes senior government officials, business support organizations and young entrepreneurs. In Seoul and Jeju, the mission is engaging with innovation hubs, ministries, research institutes and technology showcases to exchange best practices in digital transformation, startup growth and public–private partnerships. Key highlights include visits to Pangyo Techno Valley, Seoul Startup Hub, Samsung Innovation Museum, LG Science Park, and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) in Jeju. The delegation will also participate in the APEC SME Ministerial Summit (1–5 September), contributing to discussions on “SME Digital Transformation: Assessing the Present, Envisioning the Future.”  UN Women UN Women and Women in Politics Forum end Women’s Rights Review Conference in Freetown As part of efforts to advance meaningful action on violence against women and girls, UN Women in collaboration with Women in Politics Forum, with support from UN Women Africa and the European Union has ended a three-day Women’s Rights Review Conference in Freetown. The conference which took place at the Atlantic Hotel, brought together key women’s rights organizations and feminist advocates to review existing policies and frameworks on violence against women and girls, assessed what is lacking, and co-developed strategies to influence legislative and policy change from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, DRC and Sierra Leone. The conference started on Wednesday 27th August and ended on Friday 30th August. It adopted a participatory and feminist approach, including panel discussions, breakout sessions, practical working groups, advocacy planning labs, and wellness sessions. Speaking at the conference, Dr. Isata Mahoi,  Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs said, “Many of the violence issues happen mostly within the families and in communities. So, people are always afraid to talk about it.” Adding that, because of the structures that we have, the initiatives that we have launched, the awareness raising, people feel more confident now to report cases of Gender-based Violence. Baindu Massaquoi, Programme Specialist said, “Sierra Leone has taken bold steps, including the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022 which has already begun to transform lives and amplify women’s voices in leadership. These milestones remind us that progress is possible when we unite across borders, sectors, and communities.” “We hope that the country will make bolder steps to end all forms of violence against women and girls.” She added. According to Barr Ebere Ifendu, President, Women in Politics Forum, this conference is a platform for coalition building—bringing together established women’s rights leaders and young feminists to forge an intergenerational movement that speaks with one strong voice across West Africa.  UNDP  UNDP Leads Groundbreaking for Sierra Leone’s First Canopy Walkway Sierra Leone has taken a bold step toward transforming its eco-tourism landscape with the groundbreaking of the country’s first canopy walkway at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Nestled in the lush Western Area Peninsula forest, the project signals a new chapter in combining conservation with sustainable economic growth. The initiative, spearheaded by UNDP in partnership with government and local stakeholders, is designed to elevate Sierra Leone’s profile as a unique eco-tourism destination while strengthening biodiversity protection. It complements ongoing national efforts to diversify the economy and boost tourism’s contribution to jobs and livelihoods. Speaking at the ceremony, UNDP Resident Representative Frederick Ampiah underscored the walkway’s transformative potential. “This project is about more than tourism. It is about protecting our forests, creating opportunities for communities, and showing the world Sierra Leone’s extraordinary natural beauty.” Tacugama, long regarded as a symbol of biodiversity protection and cultural pride, has been at the forefront of eco-tourism for over three decades. Founder Bala Amarasekaran welcomed the project as a milestone that will enhance both conservation and visitor experience. Government leaders echoed this vision. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jiwoh Abdulai stressed the importance of safeguarding Tacugama for future generations, while Deputy Minister of Tourism Kadijatu Grace Kamara described the walkway as “a pathway to the future where every visitor can feel the light of Sierra Leone.” Once completed, the 360-meter canopy walkway will offer panoramic views, attract visitors from across the globe, and generate green jobs—particularly for women and youth in surrounding communities. 

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UN Women
First Lady launches RSLAF & UN Women-SL partnership. In a landmark step towards advancing gender equality in peacekeeping, Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has on Tuesday the 19th August 2025 launched the project-Women Repositioned to Meaningfully Participate and Lead in the Republic of Sierra Leone's Armed Forces and Support Peacekeeping Operations. “The Elsie Initiative Fund is significant in empowering women to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in leadership and Peacekeeping. Inclusion is not a privilege; it is a right.”  She said.  

The event which took place at the Myohaung Officers Mess, in Freetown brought together government stakeholders, development partners, top military leaders and CSOs.  The overarching goal is to increase the number of Sierra Leonean women eligible for deployment in UN Peace Operations. At present, women constitute 13 per cent of RSLAF’s total uniformed personnel, although they make up 46 per cent of those deployed in current peacekeeping missions.  

RCO 
UN Resident Coordinator urges youth to lead action plan on youth, peace and security. The UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Seraphine Wakana, has called on young people to take the lead in shaping the country’s first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NAP-YPS). Speaking at the launch of the National Steering Committee and Technical Working Group in Freetown, she emphasized the milestone as a step toward empowering youth as key actors in building and sustaining peace.Co-chaired with the Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, the event highlighted the NAP-YPS as a framework to institutionalize youth engagement, close representation gaps, and mobilize resources in line with global, regional, and national priorities. The meeting also saw commitment statements signed by government representatives, with support pledged from ministries and peace institutions.
 UNDP 
 Empowering youth through creative economy research.

This week in Freetown, UNDP in partnership with UniPod Sierra Leone, the Nallo Jr Arts Academy, and the Timbuktoo Africa Initiative, supported a training programme that prepares students to serve as enumerators to assess the state of Sierra Leone’s creative economy. The training provided young people with the skills to collect and analyze data on opportunities in music, film, fashion, design, and digital storytelling. By focusing on youth employment and income generation, the initiative equips students not only to contribute to evidence-based policymaking but also to shape strategies that help transform creative talent into sustainable livelihoods. Beyond data collection, the training emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovation, and the role of culture in driving inclusive growth. By engaging young creatives directly in research, the programme ensures that their perspectives inform national development strategies. This effort is part of UNDP’s broader commitment to unlock the potential of Sierra Leone’s creative economy, creating pathways for youth to turn passion into opportunity and building a more dynamic, resilient economy for the future. 

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UNDP414 helmets & 70 bike umbrellas handed over to Bike Riders Union. 
This week in Freetown, UNDP joined the Government of Sierra Leone, UN agencies, partners, and especially young Sierra Leoneans to celebrate International Youth Day 2025 with meaningful action. In collaboration with the UN Capital Development Fund, the Ministry of Youth Affairs (MOYA), and Trocaire, and with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, UNDP handed over 414 safety helmets and 70 bike umbrellas carrying peace messages to members of the Sierra Leone Bike Riders Union.This initiative, “Empowering Youth Bike Riders as Sustainable Agents of Peace,” aims to promote road safety, strengthen community trust, and foster youth-led peacebuilding across Sierra Leone. Recognizing that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but active contributors today, UNDP and partners emphasized the importance of equipping youth with the tools to drive positive change in their communities.Fredrick Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative, said, “I want to hand over these to the bike riders who are the ambassadors of peace,” highlighting the importance of youth-led initiatives. The Bike Riders Union expressed their gratitude, noting that the donation will enhance both their safety on the road and their role as ambassadors of peace.

WFP
€9.5 million project to restore forests & water catchments launched.
The World Food Programme, with the Ministries of Environment and Finance and funded by the EU (€9.5M), has launched the Nature Nourishes – Territorial Approach to Local Development Project. The initiative will restore forests and water catchments, promote alternative livelihoods, and train community guards to protect biodiversity.Minister Jiwoh Abdulai revealed alarming forest losses (713 ha in Western Area Peninsula, 2,152 ha each in Outamba Kilimi & Gola Rainforest, 840 ha in Loma Mountains), driven by logging, mining, and encroachment. He warned these threaten water security and heighten disaster risks.WFP’s Yvonne Forsen linked deforestation to rising disaster risks, stressing urgent action to prevent future landslides and floods. The project will connect environmental protection to community benefits like reforestation, eco-tourism, and sustainable farming.Local leaders shared success stories of shifting from charcoal to cashew and rice farming, while the EU reaffirmed its €9.5M commitment to protecting Sierra Leone’s ecosystems and livelihoods. 

IOMIOM & Government welcome 124 Returnees with Post-Arrival Assistance.
In efforts to support safe, voluntary, and dignified migration, IOM Sierra Leone, in collaboration with government partners, successfully provided post-arrival assistance to 124 returnees (76 female, 48 male), including 65 children (33 female, 32 male) arriving from Niger. This support included:•⁠ ⁠Health screenings and psychosocial support•⁠ ⁠Temporary shelter and meals•⁠ ⁠Transportation to returning communities•⁠ ⁠Reintegration guidance and referrals for returnees with medical and protection needs  This initiative is possible thanks to the support from the European Union (EU). #LeaveNoOneBehindClick the link below to read more