Introduction
With funds from the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Sierra Leone, NMJD is implementing a two-year project titled: “Civil Society Engagement for Enhancing
Transparency and Participation in the Governance of the Mining Sector” in six mining-affected districts across the country. The six districts are: Kono, Kenema, Tonkolili, Port Loko, Bonthe and Moyamba. The goal of the project is to contribute towards creating an inclusive and accountable mineral governance sector in Sierra Leone for national development. NMJD is seeking the services of a consultant to assess the capacities of the Community Development Committees (CDCs) in all the six project districts, identify capacity gaps, develop capacity development support to address the gaps and ensure the CDCs are relevant and effective in performing their roles.
The CDCs were established in accordance with the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2023, which mandates mining companies to sign Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with host mining communities and shall support the development of communities affected by their mining operations through the Community Development Fund (CDF). Mining companies are obliged to pay 1% of their gross-annual earnings into the CDF, which is managed and utilized by the CDCs for and on behalf of their communities. In addition to managing the CDF, the CDCs are also tasked with the responsibility to organize consultations to identify community development needs, facilitate procurement processes and monitor ongoing projects to ensure value for money. However, the social audit NMJD conducted in 2024 identified some grave shortcomings in the performance of their duties, some of which were blamed on low capacity.