RFP – Training and Capacity Building in Disc-Jockey （DJ） and Audio Technology.

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Introduction

Youth unemployment remains a critical development challenge in Sierra Leone, with a large proportion of the population under 35 facing limited access to skills, employment, and income-generating opportunities. The Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) identifies youth employment as a national priority under the “Big Five Game Changers,” with a target of creating 500,000 jobs by 2030. It further emphasizes the role of technology, innovation, and skills development in driving inclusive growth and economic transformation. In this context, the creative and digital economy, particularly the music and entertainment sector, presents a viable and growing pathway for youth employment. Increasing demand for DJs, sound engineers, digital content creators, and live event technicians reflects the expansion of the entertainment industry, digital media platforms, and youth-led creative enterprises. However, the sector remains largely informal, with limited access to structured training, professional equipment, certification, and business development support. As a result, many young people operate below their potential, with inconsistent income and limited opportunities for growth. This aligns with the UNDP Sierra Leone Country Programme Document (2025–2030）， which prioritizes human capital development, youth empowerment, digitalization, and the creation of decent employment opportunities. The CPD underscores the need for market-driven, practical skills development programmes that link training directly to employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for youth and women. At the same time, Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda highlights the importance of building digital skills and capabilities to support economic participation in an increasingly technology-driven world. Yet, gaps remain in access to digital tools, applied training, and industry-relevant competencies. Training in DJing and digital audio technology directly addresses these gaps by equipping young people with practical, marketable digital and creative skills that can be applied across entertainment, media, events, and online platforms. The proposed programme will be hosted at the UNDP Timbuktoo Unipod Sierra Leone, which serves as a national platform for innovation, skills development, and youth entrepreneurship. The UniPod provides a conducive environment for hands-on learning, access to digital tools and production spaces, and linkages to mentorship, partnerships, and market opportunities

Hosting the programme at the UniPod ensures that training is not delivered in isolation but is embedded within a broader ecosystem that supports innovation, content creation, and enterprise development. Overall, this intervention responds to the dual need to address youth unemployment and strengthen Sierra Leone’s creative economy by providing structured, practical, and technology-enabled training. By linking skills development to real-world Application, production, and market opportunities, the programme will contribute to the professionalization of the creative sector and expand pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CALL FOR PROPOSAL

To design and implement an integrated DJ and Digital Audio Technology training programme, to be hosted at the UNDP Timbuktoo UniPod Sierra Leone, as a practical platform for skills development, employment creation, enterprise growth, and innovation within Sierra Leone’s creative and digital economy.

• To equip youth and women with industry-relevant skills in DJing and digital audio technology through practical, market-oriented training in areas such as DJ equipment handling, sound mixing, live performance techniques, audio editing, digital music production, and sound system management.

• To link training directly to employment and enterprise opportunities by combining classroom-based instruction with hands-on practical sessions, live demonstrations, studio-based learning, and exposure to real production and performance environments at the UniPod.

• To support the professionalization of informal creative sector actors by strengthening the technical, business, and digital capacities of aspiring DJs, audio creatives, and youth entrepreneurs, enabling them to deliver more structured, quality-driven, and market-responsive services.

• To integrate digital tools and technologies into creative skills development through the use of audio software, digital mixing platforms, recording and editing tools, and online distribution channels that enhance creativity, efficiency, and income-generating potential.

• To enhance the competitiveness, productivity, and employability of young people in Sierra Leone’s creative sector by improving the quality of digital audio services, strengthening pathways to self-employment and freelancing, and positioning trained youth to respond to opportunities in entertainment, events, media, and digital content creation. 

Hosted at the UNDP Timbuktoo UniPod Sierra Leone, the programme will serve not only as a training platform, but also as an innovation space that connects creative skills development, technology, entrepreneurship, and market access. In doing so, it will contribute to youth employment, economic inclusion, and the gradual transformation of Sierra Leone’s creative industry into a more structured, professional, and opportunity-driven ecosystem.

WHO CAN APPLY

Be a legally registered entity with the relevant national institutions in Sierra Leone with demonstrated operational experience in the country. MSMEs will have an added advantage.

• Propose a training or service offering that is fully compliant with the laws and regulations of Sierra Leone.

• Demonstrate experience in one or more of the following areas: DJ training, digital audio technology, music production, sound engineering, creative industry development, technical and vocational skills training, digital innovation, or youth enterprise development.

• Show evidence of existing operational systems, infrastructure, equipment, studio space, or market-based solutions that can strengthen the delivery and rollout of the proposed intervention.

• Demonstrate alignment with national and local priorities related to youth employment, women’s empowerment, digital skills development, creative industry growth, entrepreneurship, and formalization of the informal economy.

• Include a clear monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework to assess results and impact.

• Demonstrate channels for ongoing participant and stakeholder feedback to strengthen the quality, relevance, and responsiveness of the proposed training programme.

• Show potential for sustainability, scale, and long-term contribution to Sierra Leone’s creative and digital economy ecosystem.

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Documents :

Negotiation Document(s)
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