Freetown:The ECOWAS Regional Stabilisation and Development Fund (FRSD) is focusing on supporting interventions to address local needs and strengthen livelihoods across Sierra Leone. Officials gathered Thursday for the first National Advisory Committee (NAC) meeting to discuss the Fund's objectives and national coordination strategies. The hybrid meeting, held at the ECOWAS Resident Representative's office in Freetown, involved government representatives, civil society organizations, and program consultants who deliberated on assisting communities facing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay emphasized the importance of aligning proposed interventions with Sierra Leone's Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Government's Big Five Game Changers. Key areas highlighted include agriculture, healthcare, education, water and sanitation, youth employment, infrastructure, renewable energy, and local governance.
Minister Barlay also underscored the urgency of addressing the needs of vulnerable border and riverine communities facing flooding and erosion, advocating for expanded opportunities for young people. Sierra Leone's initial allocation from the Fund is US$9 million, with US$7 million from German support and US$2 million from ECOWAS. Additional support from GIZ is still being considered.
Stakeholders were encouraged to focus on feasible interventions that can yield tangible results within an 18-to-24-month timeframe. Minister Barlay clarified that no specific districts or communities have been preselected, and geographical priorities should be based on needs assessments and technical recommendations.
Participants identified youth employment and vocational training as critical areas, emphasizing the need for skills development linked to practical experience, cooperative development, and income-generating activities. The importance of vocational education with adequate facilities and connections to labor market opportunities was noted, along with potential collaboration with Francophone West African countries to enhance training capacity.
Health and substance abuse were also discussed as pressing community issues. Francess Nyuma from the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre highlighted the need to strengthen health services. Potential interventions in Kono, such as solar power solutions for technical institutions and health facilities, were explored but remain subject to further evaluation.
Christian Martyn Kamara, Chairman of the Board of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO), stressed the importance of verifying the capacity, staffing, and local networks of implementing organizations before participation.
Technical presentations outlined the Fund's governance and financing framework. Consultant Veerle Van Waesberghe introduced the program, while Steffen Horn presented the operational framework and project-scoping process. Abdoulaye Kaigama Noudjia explained the direct-investment sub-window. The presentations covered Financial Cooperation through KfW Development Bank and Technical Cooperation implemented by GIZ.
The FRSD, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to promote stabilization in fragile regions. At the program level, a Steering Board provides strategic direction, a Technical Board considers intervention strategies, and a Fund Management Unit handles operational coordination.
A Joint Technical Mission is slated to begin on 16 November 2026 to consult potential implementing organizations and advance project concepts. A follow-up NAC meeting is set for 10 November 2026 to review the needs-assessment process.
No specific projects, districts, implementing partners, or final funding allocations were approved at the inaugural meeting. Decisions will depend on additional technical assessments and consultations to ensure resources provide meaningful and sustainable benefits for communities across Sierra Leone.