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Direct access
Put your questions to ministers and officials face to face, in town halls open to everyone.
Read more3rd edition, 2026
About the festival
Sierra Leone's flagship civic engagement platform, where citizens and government meet in the open and every conversation ends in a commitment.
Background
From dialogue to delivery
The Salone Civic Festival was established to strengthen interaction between government and citizens, and to make governance more transparent, accountable and participatory.
Led by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, it creates an open space where citizens engage directly with government institutions, development partners, civil society, young people and the creative sector.
The 2024 and 2025 editions drew broad public participation. The 2026 edition is the third, and it moves from dialogue to implementation, accountability and civic participation that lasts beyond the festival.
About the festival
Where citizens and government meet in the open
Led by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the festival brings ministries, councils, partners, civil society, young people and the creative sector together for three days in Freetown. In its third year it moves from dialogue to delivery.
See what's on
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Progress you can see
Ministries, councils and partners show what has been built and explain how it works.
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Youth-led ideas
Policy labs, the national school quiz and innovation showcases put young people at the centre.
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Commitments that last
Every commitment is recorded in public and followed up after the festival.
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The 2026 theme
Year of Action
A national call for collective responsibility and measurable progress: from conversation to commitment, from participation to impact.
- Government that responds and is seen to respond
- Citizens taking part in how they are governed
- Solutions led by young people
- Creative expression as a tool for civic education
Festival structure
Three days, three steps
Each day builds on the one before: listen first, then work together, then commit in public.
Day 1Wednesday 9 December
Listening and understanding
Opening, national town halls, development showcase launch, film screenings
Day 1 programmeDay 2Thursday 10 DecemberEngaging and co-creating
Civic town halls, youth innovation, citizen dialogues, creative night
Day 2 programmeDay 3Friday 11 DecemberCommitment and unity
Reflection forums, civic commitments, heritage showcases, Unity Concert
Day 3 programmeObjectives
What the festival sets out to do
- Provide accessible platforms for direct interaction between citizens and government institutions
- Showcase national and local development initiatives in a transparent, citizen-friendly way
- Empower young people to take part in governance, innovation and civic problem-solving
- Promote accountability and social cohesion through creative and cultural expression
- Foster national unity and shared ownership of development priorities
- Generate actionable outcomes and commitments for follow-up after the festival
Expected outcomes
What changes afterwards
- Improved trust and communication between citizens and government
- Greater awareness of development initiatives and public services
- Documented citizen feedback and government commitments
- Stronger youth participation in civic and governance processes
- Broader public engagement through creative and cultural platforms
- A clear framework for follow-up and accountability after the festival
Partnerships and implementation
The festival is delivered by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education with MDAs, local councils, civil society, the creative sector, media, development partners and the private sector, each with clearly defined roles.
Get involvedSee youin Freetown.
9–11 December 2026 at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building.
Registration opens soon