U TEAM SL Launches INSPIRE Programme in Pujehun District
A new wave of community-driven peacebuilding and civic engagement has officially begun in southern Sierra Leone. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, United Team Sierra Leone (U TEAM SL) brought together traditional authorities, youth groups, women leaders, and development partners at the Pujehun District Youth Council Hall to launch the Inclusive Networks Supporting Peaceful Information and Responsible Engagement (INSPIRE) Programme.
Funded by the Agency for Integrated Development Sierra Leone (AID-SL) and co-funded by the European Union, the one-year initiative aims to combat misinformation, bolster youth leadership, advance gender equality, and foster sustainable peace across six chiefdoms: Kpanga, Kpanga Krim, Malen, Galliness, Sowa, and Kpaka.
In her keynote overview address, U TEAM SL Executive Director Watta Koroma framed the project as more than just an institutional grant.
“The INSPIRE Programme is not just another project; it is a movement for peace, truth, and responsible engagement,” Madam Koroma stated. “At a time when misinformation threatens community harmony, this programme will empower our people in Pujehun with the right information, inclusive networks, and platforms to engage peacefully and responsibly.”
Madam Koroma noted that the initiative builds upon U TEAM SL’s long-standing grassroots presence in the district, serving as an auxiliary tool to expand their community impact.
The comprehensive workplan targets multiple dimensions of community development through a series of practical interventions:
Youth leadership, mediation, and digital literacy training
Consultative round-table dialogues and school-based peace forums (“De Youth Dem Kool HarTok”)
Radio talk shows and dedicated media literacy campaigns
Youth-led early warning systems and community storytelling sessions
The establishment of an online television platform and chiefdom volunteer networks
Strong Backing from Donors and Local Stakeholders
Speaking on behalf of the funding partners, AID-SL Executive Director Alfred Amadu Gbonda Esq. lauded U TEAM SL’s proven community trust and capacity to execute the project. He encouraged the team to maintain strict adherence to project guidelines throughout the implementation cycle, assuring them of the European Union’s and AID-SL’s continuous guidance.
Local stakeholders echoed deep optimism regarding the project’s inclusive design, which specifically carves out spaces for marginalized groups. Pujehun District Youth Council Chairman Mohamed Kallon highlighted how critical the intervention is for youth grappling with socio-economic pressures and substance abuse challenges.
Meanwhile, District Mammy Queen Mamawa Kaikai and representatives for Persons with Disabilities praised the initiative for recognizing the vital roles of women and differently-abled citizens in local peacebuilding. Mariama Fortune, Deputy Speaker of the Pujehun District Girls’ Parliament, closed out the remarks by thanking U TEAM SL for consistently amplifying the voices of young girls.
The launch ceremony concluded with interactive sessions addressing transparency and accountability, followed by official group photographs, networking, and unified pledges from stakeholders to guarantee the success and sustainability of a peaceful Pujehun District.