Sweden, NAYMOTE signs $1.1 million grant agreement to promote principles of good governance, rule of law
The Swedish International Development Corporation Agency, (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia and Naymote Partners for Democratic Development have signed an agreement for three grants worth USD 1,150,000.
The grant is NAYMOTE’s largest ever and is intended for the implementation of the project entitled Democracy Advancement Program (DAP) which is a three-year program with the overall goal of improving democratic governance for inclusive development in Liberia.
The program will adopt a three-pronged approach: research, advocacy and community engagement (RACE) and is informed and guided by the principle of change that “If a government is politically accountable, the quality of democracy improves, and citizens benefit from their participation. in democratic processes.”
At a signing ceremony over the weekend, the Swedish ambassador to Liberia, Urban Sjöström, said that the project is part of the Swedish government’s endeavor to support, defend and maintain the work of civil society is fundamental in Swedish foreign policy and Swedish commitment to promote global development.
Ambassador Sjöström said that the Swedish Embassy is pleased to sign the agreement with NAYMOTE, a well-established civil society organization working to promote the principles of good governance, the rule of law and participatory democracy in Liberia for the implementation of the DAP project.
He noted that the embassy’s support to Naymote is in line with efforts to meet the SDGs, specifically related to Goal 16, which calls for promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions on all levels.
“The planned support is also expected to contribute to two of the SDGs’ goals, namely: developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions and ensuring responsive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels,” he said.
Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, Johan Romare, also expressed joy at signing the agreement with Naymote and expressed confidence that the project will be successfully implemented.
“We are particularly pleased to have signed the agreement with NYAMOTE, and not with an international agency and we strongly believe that civil society in Liberia has the ability to make a change,” Romare said.
He commended Naymote for its work over the years, noting that it is one of the strong voices in Liberia leading the efforts for the 2023 elections by giving space to young people to discuss their interests and what Liberia they want to see.
For his part, Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo expressed appreciation to Sweden for the confidence and trust to give his institution its biggest support since its founding in 2001.
Mr Jarwolo said Naymote has good experience and skills to achieve the overall project objective; Adding to his institution helps promote democracy in the ECOWAS region. He noted that the institution’s flagship programme, the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS), and the President Meter Project have added value to its profile.
Project expected result
As described in the agreement, Sweden will provide a total funding contribution of USD 1,150,000 to Naymote for the implementation of the project from September 2022 to August 2025. Throughout the duration of the project, Naymote is expected to deliver on three main outcomes, including the empowerment of citizens, especially women and youth in selected counties, to become better informed and active in calling for improved service delivery and for the accountability of elected officials for election promises in Liberia.
It also aimed to ensure that local government officials are more responsive to the needs of citizens, especially women and youth in the social development funds to enhance local development within selected counties.
It also intends to increase capacity to implement the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and improve organizational effectiveness to promote democratic governance in the ECOWAS sub-region.
Naymote’s impeccable contribution
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development is a good governance and research institution working to promote democracy, transparency, human rights and participatory governance in Liberia. Since its establishment in 2001, NAYMOTE has initiated several programs to promote political accountability to make elected leaders more accessible, accountable and responsible to the electorate; and to build the capacity of local leaders to become more effective in the delivery of essential government services.
The organisation, through its flagship programmes, including the President Meter Project and the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLSA), contributes to reducing divides and breaking down barriers as young people become actively involved in the decision-making process.
In national institutions, they become social activists, demand more from elected officials, hold their leaders accountable, and prepare to play greater leadership roles in civil society, political parties, and national governments.
(Visited 10 times, 10 visits today)