Sweden Awards US$1.1 million Grant to NAYMOTE to Promote Principles of Good Governance, Rule of law

MONROVIA – The Swedish International Development Corporation Agency, (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia and Naymote Partners for Democratic Development have signed a three-grant agreement valued at US$1,150,000.

The grant is NAYMOTE’s biggest ever and is intended to implement the project titled “Democracy Advancement Program (DAP)” which is a three-year program with the overarching goal to enhance democratic governance for inclusive development in Liberia. 

At a signing ceremony over the weekend, Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Urban Sjöström said the project is part of the Swedish government’s effort to support, defend and sustain the work of civil society which are fundamental in Swedish foreign policy and Swedish engagement 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 that works to advance the principles of good governance, rule of law, and participatory democracy in Liberia for the implementation of the DAP project.

Also speaking, the Deputy Head of Mission and head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, Johan Romare, expressed delight in signing the agreement with Naymote and expressed confidence the project will be successfully implemented.

“We are particularly happy 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,” Mr. Romare said.

He lauded Naymote for its work over the years, noting that it is one of the strong voices in Liberia that is leading efforts ahead of the 2023 elections by giving space to young people to discuss their interests and what Liberia they want to see.

For his part, Naymote’s Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo expressed appreciation to Sweden for the confidence and trust in awarding his institution its largest support since its founding in 2001.

Mr. Jarwolo said Naymote has good experience and skills to achieve the overall project goal; adding his institution is contributing to the advancement of democracy in the ECOWAS region. He noted the institution’s flagship programs, the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS), and the President Meter Project have added value to its profile.