The European Union Mission in Sierra Leone has launched five projects targeting women’s development, empowerment, education, and equality in the country.

According to the EU, the grant contracts will foresee the actualization of activities also related to women’s full enjoyment of fundamental rights and economic empowerment.

The projects are said to be part of the EU’s Thematic Programme for Civil Society Organisations 2021-2027 focused on strengthening their engagement as key actors for democracy and development in Sierra Leone.

The EU said six NGO coalitions and four District Councils led by implementing organizations, including Movement for Assistance and Promotion of Rural Communities (MAPCO), Kambia District Development and Rehabilitation Organisation (KADDRO), TRÓCAIRE and Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) among others.

The Union said that the Civil Society Organisations program will focus on “inclusive participatory, empowered and independent civil society and a wider democratic space in partner countries”. They said that this will be an inclusive and open dialogue between CSOs.

The EU Ambassador-designate, Manuel Müller said that the EU is committed to supporting the projects and investments geared towards women’s empowerment worldwide and in Sierra Leone.

The ambassador appreciated the coming into law of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Bill.

The projects are said to last three years with an average investment by the EU amounting to at least €800,000 Euros.