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(applications open 10 August 2023)

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

Mining has been the mainstay of Sierra Leone’s economy since independence and the government has remained heavily dependent on mineral resources over the years. Mining contributed 0.7 percent to GDP, constituted 65 percent of export earnings, and 3 percent to employment in 2018. This is according to the International Trade Administration reports for 2021. Despite its contribution to national growth, mining communities continue to face issues including environmental, health, socio economic, income disparity and security problems. Poverty levels are high due to the lack of effective and efficient management of revenue from mining activities.

UNCDF understands the challenges faced by mining communities and has solutions to build the capacity of the communities to manage revenues effectively and efficiently from mining activities.

UNCDF received funding from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) to help address the challenges faced by mining communities. Through this RFA, UNCDF aims to help address the complex issues of the mining sector governance in Sierra Leone using the Human Security approach to enhance economic resilience and social cohesion in vulnerable mining communities. UNCDF’s intervention will be to empower community leaders and members to take ownership and be able to better manage revenues from mining for the greater gain of their communities. This will be achieved through a combination of public awareness-raising and capacity building initiatives. The project will be implemented in close partnership with the Community Development Committees (CDC’s) in the selected communities. The CDCs are the decision makers on community interventions and comprise of representatives from the district council, paramount chiefs, landowners, women and youth leaders and farmer representatives. Others are Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives and religious leaders. The interventions will improve inclusive decision-making processes of the targeted communities and consequently enhance economic dignity. Activities under the project will include training and capacity building, community engagement and awareness raising as well as radio programs all aimed at enhancing economic resilience and social cohesion in the Moyamba district of Sierra Leone.

Candidates can apply proposing a project covering capacity building, community engagement and awareness raising in the Moyamba district of Sierra Leone to promote behavioral change and enhance economic dignity.

Under this RFA, UNCDF’s contributions can range from USD 20,000 to USD 25,000 for 10 months depending on the investment readiness level and outreach potential of the solution proposed and UNCDF will award one applicant.

The selected applicant will be signing a Performance-Based Agreement (PBA ) with UNCDF. Please review the PBA template available on the RFA website.

The selected applicant will be expected to fund at least thirty percent (30%) of the total project cost (for costs such technical resources, staff, and operational expenses). Applicants may apply independently or in a consortium, provided that the consortium has a pre-established partnership prior to when this request for applications was issued.

Inquiries to this request for applications may be submitted by email to uncdf.rfa@uncdf.org cc to eric.sena.morttey@uncdf.org

All applications must be submitted by [23:59 (EDT) on 10 Sep 2023 through UNCDF e-investment platform.

However, please visit UNCDF’s Apply platform to check if the deadline has not been extended.