YOUTH-LED CLIMATE ACTION IN SIERRA LEONEFounded 25 August 2023 · Bo, Sierra Leone
Programs & initiatives

Solutions shaped by
the people they serve.

From school waste management to rural solar energy and youth climate advocacy, our programs connect community priorities with practical action.

Students and facilitators participating in school-based environmental education
01 / Circular economy

Eco Champion Project:
Trash 2 Cash

Practical environmental action begins in the classroom.

Launched in Makeni, the Eco Champion initiative works with five participating schools to strengthen environmental leadership, waste separation and practical recycling. The original program description identifies 110 teachers and student leaders as direct participants.

  • Student-led green clubs and peer learning
  • School waste-sorting stations
  • Practical reuse, eco-bricks and school beautification
  • Awareness of circular-economy opportunities
5 schoolsParticipating in Makeni110 peopleReported direct engagement
Partner with this initiative ↗
Lalehun community members and project team at the clean energy initiative launch
02 / Just energy transition

Lalehun Solar Energy Initiative

Reliable power can help create better conditions for learning and new technical opportunities.

Launched in Lalehun, Penguia Chiefdom, the initiative plans to install solar energy systems at the community’s primary and secondary schools. It also aims to train local young people, with a deliberate emphasis on young women, in installation, maintenance and troubleshooting.

  • School solar installations (planned)
  • Technical training and skills pathways (planned)
  • Community maintenance capacity
  • Inclusive access to clean-energy opportunities
2 schoolsInstallation target60 youthTraining target
Explore a clean-energy partnership ↗
School assembly taking part in climate education outreach
03 / Climate literacy

School Climate Education Outreach

Build climate understanding early, and give students tools to act.

Volunteers engage with students through school visits and workshops focused on climate science, local environmental challenges, conservation and responsible daily practices. The program works with diverse educational settings, including Islamic schools.

  • Age-appropriate climate awareness sessions
  • Student discussions and practical demonstrations
  • Support for school environmental clubs
  • Locally relevant learning materials
Invite an education collaboration ↗
Young people attending a climate leadership event
04 / Leadership & participation

Youth Capacity Building & Climate Leadership

Young people should shape—not just attend—the conversations that affect their future.

Sunrise Movement Sierra Leone supports climate workshops, classroom learning, youth dialogues and leadership events. In 2026, a Youth Adaptation and SDGs Leadership Conference spotlighted the role of young women in climate adaptation.

  • Youth-led dialogue and community organizing
  • Practical leadership and project skills
  • Greater participation by young women and underrepresented groups
  • Climate policy literacy and peer education
Become part of the movement ↗
Volunteers undertaking a beach clean-up in Sierra Leone
05 / Coastal resilience

Coastal & Marine Conservation

Protecting shorelines connects healthy environments with community well-being.

Volunteer-led beach cleanups help remove visible waste while opening conversations about plastics, responsible disposal and marine ecosystems. Our longer-term direction includes local conservation education and community-centered resilience.

  • Beach and shoreline cleanups
  • Plastic pollution awareness
  • Community volunteer mobilization
  • Coastal stewardship and responsible practices
Join a future community activity ↗
Stakeholders collaborating on climate policy workshop activities
06 / Systems change

Climate Policy, Advocacy & Green Livelihoods

Local experience belongs in national decision-making.

Through workshops, advocacy and youth consultations, the organization works to connect community concerns with climate commitments, including national adaptation priorities. Related focus areas include ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture and green livelihoods.

  • Climate literacy, policy dialogue and civic participation
  • Youth engagement in national climate consultations
  • Gender-responsive, locally informed adaptation
  • Future opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and ecosystems
Collaborate on policy or livelihoods ↗
What does success mean?

Clear activity records, honest targets, practical outcomes.

We separate completed events, activities underway and future ambitions. Targets shown here—such as planned solar installations and training—must not be confused with verified results. More documentation is needed before publishing aggregate impact totals.

Work with us

Let’s build solutions together.

We welcome conversations with schools, community organizations, funders, researchers, and technical partners.