Sierra Leone and IFAD to strengthen partnerships, agricultural value chains and rural finance

18 November 2019 – The Independent Office of Evaluation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sierra Leone are holding a half-day workshop in Freetown to share the findings of the independent evaluation of IFAD’s country strategy and programme for Sierra Leone.

The workshop will present the evaluation’s main conclusions and recommendations, based on the past 17 years of IFAD’s work in Sierra Leone together with the Government. The event will also be an opportunity to discuss how IFAD can best support the country in further developing the rural sector, especially by strengthening policy engagement, partnerships and knowledge management; fostering linkages in pro-poor agricultural value chains; and expanding sustainable pro-poor rural finance.

The workshop will bring together government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector partners and project staff, as well as IFAD management and staff. Discussions will address the key issues and strategic priorities to be included in IFAD’s new strategy for Sierra Leone that will promote development effectiveness, with the aim of eradicating rural poverty in the country.

• What: National Workshop to present the Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation of IFAD's operations in Sierra Leone. Co-organized by the Government of Sierra Leone and IFAD’s Independent Office of Evaluation, in close collaboration with IFAD's West and Central Africa Division.
• When: Wednesday 27 November 2019, 9:00 - 14:00
• Where: Bintunami Hotel, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Note to editors:

Media are welcome to attend the national workshop. The following members of the IFAD delegation will be available for interviews:

• Fabrizio Felloni, Deputy Director of the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD;
• John Hurley, Lead Regional Economist, West and Central Africa Division, IFAD;
• Jakob Tuborgh, Country Programme Manager, West and Central Africa Division, IFAD;
• Hansdeep Khaira, Evaluation Officer, Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD.

For interviews with IFAD staff:

Norah de Falco
Communication Specialist, Independent Office of Evaluation
Tel. +39 06 5459 2786
Email: [email protected]

David Florentin Paqui
Regional Communication Officer
Tel. +39 3357516406
Email: [email protected]

---

MA/17/2019

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided US$21.5 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached about 491 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency based in Rome – the United Nations’ food and agriculture hub.  

About the Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE): IOE conducts evaluations of IFAD-financed policies, strategies and operations to promote accountability and learning. The main purpose is to contribute to improving IFAD's and its partners' performance in reducing rural poverty in recipient countries. IOE's independent evaluations assess the impact of IFAD-funded activities and give an analysis of successes and shortcomings – to tell it the way it is – as well as identify factors affecting performance. Based on the key insights and recommendations drawn from evaluation findings, IOE also communicates and shares IFAD’s knowledge and experience in agriculture and rural development with a wider audience.