FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, 21 November 2024 – On 21 November, President Julius Maada Bio presided over a ceremony to launch several important initiatives aimed at boosting youth employment, improving livelihoods, and empowering young people in Sierra Leone. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the event was attended by First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio, Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh, the Minister of Youth Affairs, and the UNDP and UNFPA Representatives.

The five schemes recognized at the ceremony are part of efforts to expand economic opportunities for youth, one of the “big five game changers” outlined in Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030).

Among the featured schemes was the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge, launched on International Youth Day, 12 August 2024, by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and UNFPA. This initiative seeks to amplify the leadership of young women and empower them to drive positive change in their communities.

Following a nationwide, participatory selection process, 40 young women-led groups were chosen as winners of the Innovation Challenge. During the ceremony, the President presented symbolic cheques to the winning groups, representing the grants they will receive to implement their community-driven solutions to pressing development challenges.

In his remarks, the President praised the Innovation Challenge for empowering community-based organizations led by young women and thanked UNDP, UNFPA, and other partners for their continued support to national development.

The UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Nadia Rasheed, lauded the government’s commitment to empowering women and youth. She stated, "The groups we recognize today are lighting the path for others, showing that when women and youth rise, communities thrive, and the nation prospers."

The Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura, emphasized the importance of women-led initiatives, adding, "Women are best positioned to solve the problems that affect them, and we must support and believe in their ability to lead transformative solutions in their communities."

The 40 winning groups reflect Sierra Leone’s diversity, representing 15 of the country’s 16 districts, and encompassing both urban and rural areas, including remote and hard-to-reach chiefdoms. The initiatives address a wide range of issues, including youth unemployment, gender-based violence, drug and substance abuse, and plastic pollution. Notably, eight of the projects are led by young women living with disabilities.

In addition to the financial grants, the winners will also receive capacity-building and mentoring support to ensure the successful implementation of their initiatives.

The ceremony also marked the launch of programs aimed at enhancing youth employment and livelihoods through the provision of fishing boats, tricycles, and start-up grants to rural youth, with support from UNDP.