AIDE | WHY SHOULD YOU WORK WITH US

Our team has implemented nationwide projects in Health; Private Sector Development; Security and Justice; Community Development, and Peacebuilding.. Our Head Office is in the capital city but we have strong networks, understanding, and experience working in the provinces. We open provincial field offices--when needed.

We employ a project based way of working across the organization. This enables us to work together seamlessly across different geographical barriers. To ensure progress on projects are monitored effectively, we use checklists, assessments, meetings, reviews, performance management, research, log frames, and result chains to keep focused on the client's/donor's goals.

We are your preferred localization partner: With the development sector prioritizing localization and southern leadership--there is not a better example than our example of Cordaid Sierra Leone (an International NGO)  transitioning to AIDE Sierra Leone. ( a local NGO). We are your preferred partner to design, lead, monitor, and review any projects you may have. 

Why Localization and Southern Leadership

• Local NGOs and CSOs are important development actors. Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors have a long history of working with civil society and have four basic rationales for delivering aid through CSOs (Tomlinson, 2013): 
• Local partners are needed to provide service delivery in recipient countries; 
• To promote democratic processes and social accountability in developing countries by supporting independent organisations; 
• To increase public awareness about aid and development; and 
• To enhance the capacity of local CBOs/CSOs
• Strong local ownership of programmes; 
• Support capacity of local CSOs so that they can lobby for broader social change; and 
• CSOs in the south are natural allies with their northern counterparts.

Direct Benefits of Localization and Southern Leadership

• Strong local ownership of programmes
• Support capacity of local CSOs so that they can lobby for broader social change
• CSOs in the south are natural allies with their northern counterparts
• Greater empowerment for local NGOs yield better project results
• The Sustainability component of any project is strengthened with effective local participation
• Greater buy-in and sustainability when working on peace and climate change programs

As a result of AIDE being borne out of the CORDAID Sierra Leone exit, our team and networks of experts and support staff come with global ideas and approaches accompanied with strong local working experience and a focus on local solutions.  

• Tribal conflict that may affect local partners: We work in communities and avoid tribal conflict. Where there is conflict, we create a component to address the conflict since access and cooperation of communities is key to a successful project implementation.
• Security and Risk Mgt: Our team has the relevant experience gained from working with International Organizations--to identify, weight, and find a course of action for risks. AIDE utilizes Risk Logs, Periodic Risk Assessments, Partner Risk Assessments, and HR and operational tasks and controls--which ensure security, operational, financial, and other risks are identified and mitigated in some way.
• Funding Accountability: Our Financial Framework and Reporting system is one of International Standards. We have experience in using Global Quality Management Reporting systems such as Microsoft 365, AX, Power BI, UNPBF reporting portal, Comic Relief reporting portal, DevResults,...to name a few. We also have a Supervisory Board with the requisite global financial management experience in their respective professions. This experience will give additional support to Governance and Accountability goals at AIDE.
• Technical Ability: We have experts in Private Sector Development; Peacebuilding; Community Development; Security and Justice; Women's Empowerment and Access; Health; and Performance Based Financing. AIDE's project team leads have experience working with International Organizations and Partners. This gives us an edge over our competitors when a robust and context specific analysis needs to be done alongside any global analysis or if a client needs a global mind with local solutions.

AIDE has a Local Capacity Building Program and Strategy built on the pillars below:

• Internship Program for recent college graduates
• Placement and Exchange Programs with other local partners
• Inviting Local Partners to trainings provided for AIDE staff
• Forming Informational Partnerships and other kinds of partnerships that add value to development and the Development Sector
• Incorporating Local Partners into proposals
• Donation of assets to local partners
• Ideation Sessions with local partners
•  Membership and Participation of The Sierra Leone Association of NGOs
• Sensitization and Awareness of Localization and how local NGOs can add value to development

If so, please email info@aidesl.org. Please let us know:

• The name of your Organization
• Profile of your Organization
• Type of partnership sought
• Timeline of partnership

AIDE also can be your local partner who can support you with your INGO Registration. Please note that we do not approve NGO licenses; we only assist you to complete the files and documents together and submitting to The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development on behalf of the client.