Sierra Leone

Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR)
$40,000*
To strengthen community oversight of the decentralization process and local governance. CDHR will work to popularize the concepts and principles of local government, decentralization, the Local Government Act, and promote the defense of basic human rights principles by district and traditional leaders. CDHR will also host conferences, workshops, and village meetings on principles of local governance in Sierra Leone.

Forum for Democratic Initiatives (FORDI)
$32,925
To help the Sierra Leonian public make informed electoral choices by improving public understanding of key political issues. FORDI will conduct workshops for traditional leaders, party officials and civil society groups and establish advocacy networks. FORDI will survey government officials and party representatives on their stances on specific issues, and will publish the information in a highly publicized report. FORDI will continue publishing its "Democracy Alert" newsletter.

Green Scenery
$24,452
To improve respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law among commercial motorbike drivers and community leaders in northern Sierra Leone. Green Scenery will hold training-of-trainers workshops for leaders of commercial motorbike associations. Other activities will include awareness-raising meetings, informal trainings with bikers, a radio discussion program, and street processions promoting human rights.

Koinadugu Women's Group (KWG)
$29,500*
To raise women's awareness of their rights in national and international law and empower rural women to participate in governance and assume leadership positions. KWG will organize workshops to educate women on their political rights and teach them advocacy strategies. KWG will also host a large conference and broadcast a weekly radio program targeted at women.

Media Foundation for Peace and Development (MFPD)
$35,750
To increase political awareness among rural Sierra Leoneans, inform them about the upcoming electoral procedures, and provide them with the knowledge to make informed political decisions. MFPD will produce two live radio discussion programs: "Democracy Now," which will focus on district council governance and electoral proceedings, and "Youth Now," a similar program geared toward young people. MFPD will also organize a capacity-building workshop for youth organizations.

National Accountability Group (NAG)
$50,000
To build the capacity of religious leaders to fight corruption and advocate for accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone. NAG will organize focus groups and workshops for Muslim and Christian leaders to impart practical and theological approaches to fighting corruption. NAG will also broadcast radio programs in local languages and distribute posters promoting accountability and transparency through religious texts.

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
$255,000
To strengthen the ability of local civil society organizations to conduct voter education in Sierra Leone. NDI will partner with local civil society organizations to conduct voter education activities throughout the country. NDI will establish a resource center in Freetown, hold one-on-one meetings with participating organizations, facilitate strategic planning sessions, and provide technical assistance for local civil society organizations.

Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI)
$23,000
To sensitize Sierra Leonians on the need for a legal framework protecting freedom of information and advocate for passage of the freedom of information law. SDI will lead a freedom of information advocacy campaign consisting of panel discussions, television spots, rural radio broadcasts, and workshops. Participants will include religious leaders, journalists, youth leaders, women's group representatives, district councilors, police officers, soldiers, parliamentarians, and trade association representatives.