Deadline: 13-Mar-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting qualified organisations to express interest in supporting the establishment of 120 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) under the Nature Nourishes – A Territorial Approach for Local Development (NN‑TALD) project in Sierra Leone. This initiative focuses on livelihoods strengthening, financial inclusion, capacity building, and community‑led development, with emphasis on women’s empowerment, youth inclusion, and resilience for communities near key conservation landscapes.
What Is the Opportunity?
WFP seeks implementing partners to support the operationalisation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as part of the NN‑TALD project — a three‑year European Union‑funded territorial development initiative in Sierra Leone. VSLAs are community‑managed financial groups that enable participants to save funds, access small loans, and build financial safety nets.
This role forms a crucial component of community livelihood support, capacity strengthening, and financial inclusion strategies for vulnerable households, particularly women, youth, and marginalised groups living near forest‑edge landscapes.
Strategic Context: NN‑TALD in Sierra Leone
The Nature Nourishes – A Territorial Approach for Local Development (NN‑TALD) project is a multi‑sectoral endeavour implemented by WFP in partnership with government institutions and funded by the European Union. It seeks to:
• Improve community livelihoods
• Address biodiversity loss
• Promote climate‑sensitive and locally led development solutions
• Strengthen financial inclusion and economic resilience
The territorial approach bridges conservation and development goals, integrating natural resource protection with community empowerment.
Role of VSLAs in the Project
Village Savings and Loan Associations provide accessible financial services at the community level by enabling members to:
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Save money collectively
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Access small, community‑managed loans
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Build social safety nets for unpredictable shocks
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Increase financial literacy and economic agency
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Strengthen trust and collaboration among participants
VSLAs are especially effective tools in areas with limited formal financial infrastructure, facilitating inclusive participation of women, youth, and other marginalised groups.
Key Responsibilities for Implementing Partners
Selected organisations will be expected to:
1. Mobilise Communities
Work with local stakeholders in Karene, Kenema, and Pujehun districts to identify target communities, promote participation, and mobilise VSLA members.
2. Facilitate Training and Capacity Building
Deliver a full package of training for VSLA members, covering:
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Financial literacy
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Group governance and constitution development
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Transparent financial record‑keeping
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Savings and lending processes
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Group cohesion and community‑led management
3. Support Full Savings Cycle Implementation
Assist VSLAs throughout the full savings cycle from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027, ensuring that groups operate effectively, complete a full round of savings and loans, and prepare for sustainable independent operations.
4. Promote Inclusive Participation
Ensure that outreach and participation strategies emphasise women, youth, and marginalised community members, reinforcing equity and broad community benefit.
5. Manage Start‑Up Kits and Seed Funds
Procure and distribute VSLA start‑up kits — including seed funding and essential materials — and ensure proper use of resources aligned with project goals.
6. Strengthen Governance and Systems
Support the development of group constitutions, leadership structures, and accountability frameworks, enabling VSLAs to function independently and transparently beyond project support.
Geographic Focus
Implementing partners will work across three districts of Sierra Leone:
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Karene District
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Kenema District
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Pujehun District
Each partner will lead mobilisation and VSLA establishment in targeted communities within these priority areas.
Duration and Timeline
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Full Savings Cycle: 1 May 2026 – 30 April 2027
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Partners are expected to implement the complete cycle — from mobilisation and training through to group graduation.
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Continuity of operations and sustained support for VSLA members is critical to achieve lasting impact.
Who Can Express Interest?
WFP seeks qualified civil society organisations, NGOs, community‑based organisations, and development agencies with:
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Proven experience in community mobilisation
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Demonstrated ability in training and capacity building
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Track record managing livelihood support programmes
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Experience with community financial inclusion approaches or microfinance
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Strong presence at the local level in Sierra Leone
Government, non‑government partners, and organisations with strong community linkages are encouraged to respond.
Why This Initiative Matters
The implementation of VSLAs under NN‑TALD strengthens local resilience by:
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Expanding access to financial services where formal banking is limited
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Empowering women and youth economically
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Fostering collective financial responsibility and social cohesion
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Reducing reliance on negative coping strategies
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Creating foundations for future community‑led economic activity
By embedding financial inclusion within a broader territorial development framework, the initiative enhances both livelihood capacity and environmental resilience.
Expression of Interest: What to Include
When expressing interest, organisations typically should provide:
• Organisational Profile and Legal Status
Evidence of registration and operational history in Sierra Leone.
• Experience and Technical Capacity
Demonstrated ability in community development, training, financial inclusion, and livelihoods programming.
• Proposed Implementation Approach
Outline how the organisation will mobilise communities, deliver training, support VSLA formation, and integrate inclusive participation.
• Geographic Footprint
Clarity on presence or planned operations in Karene, Kenema, or Pujehun districts.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Approach to tracking performance, community feedback, and learning outcomes.
• Partnerships and Collaboration
Proposed linkages with local authorities, community groups, and other stakeholders.
Expected Outcomes
Implementing partners will contribute to:
• Established VSLAs with functioning governance structures
120 operational groups across project areas.
• Enhanced financial skills and literacy among participants
Improved savings, loan practices, and economic planning.
• Strengthened community participation
Broad engagement of women, youth, and marginalised members.
• Increased resilience to seasonal and economic shocks
Community‑managed safety nets that improve household stability.
• Sustainable, locally led financial mechanisms
VSLAs prepared to operate independently beyond the project cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA)?
A VSLA is a community‑managed microfinance group where members save together, take small loans, and build local financial safety nets.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
Qualified NGOs, civil society groups, and development organisations with experience in community mobilisation and livelihoods support in Sierra Leone.
3. Where will implementation take place?
Across Karene, Kenema, and Pujehun districts.
4. What is the expected timeline?
Community mobilisation and training begin in early 2026, with the full savings cycle running from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.
5. Are women and youth prioritised?
Yes. The project emphasises financial inclusion, empowerment, and participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups.
6. What is FPIC and why is it important?
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) ensures communities — especially Indigenous or marginalised groups — consent and actively participate before project activities begin.
7. What support will partners provide?
Partners will mobilise communities, deliver training, support governance structures, provide seed funds and materials, and strengthen VSLA operations.
Conclusion
This WFP call for expressions of interest invites organisations to play a key role in strengthening financial inclusion and livelihoods for communities near conservation landscapes in Sierra Leone. By establishing 120 Village Savings and Loan Associations, implementing partners will contribute to economic empowerment, resilience, and community‑led development while advancing the goals of the NN‑TALD territorial development initiative.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
