By Hassan Osman Kargbo
ActionAid- Sierra Leone has officially launched the Youth Action for Good Governance and Self-Reliance Project (YAGGS), a €900,000 European Union-funded initiative designed to empower marginalised youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Moyamba, Tonkolili, and the Western Area Rural.
The launch, held on Tuesday August 12th at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, coincided with the 2025 International Youth Day celebrations. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA) and aims to strengthen youth participation in governance while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
ActionAid- Sierra Leone’s Executive Director, Foday Bassie Swaray, described the project as a timely and strategic intervention that would directly benefit hundreds of young people and indirectly impact tens of thousands more.
“Through this project, we will train 390 youth in various skills, strengthen 15 youth-led or youth-focused civil society organisations (CSOs) in each operational district, and structure 15 youth councils across 15 chiefdoms,” Swaray said. “We will also support 90 university graduates with CV writing, interview preparation, and job placement opportunities. Overall, 56,250 people will benefit from this two-year project.”
Swaray highlighted the project’s three-pronged approach:
- Strengthening CSO structures to enhance operational and managerial capacities, enabling them to advocate for policy changes that benefit young people.
- Building youth governance frameworks by establishing and empowering youth councils through skills training, livelihood programs, and grants for agricultural and entrepreneurial ventures.
- Implementing skills and livelihood programs to ensure youth become more self-reliant while actively contributing to local governance.
He further noted that the project’s launch on International Youth Day was symbolic, reinforcing the message that young people are central to building a more inclusive and prosperous Sierra Leone.
Representing the European Union, N’fa Kargbo, International Aid/Cooperation Officer for Governance and Civil Society, emphasised that YAGGS aligns with both global youth development goals and Sierra Leone’s national priorities.
“We have localised the Government of Sierra Leone’s youth priorities and combined them with the ongoing efforts of local authorities and CSOs,” Kargbo said. “This project is one of four successful grant recipients under the EU’s €900,000 funding package. It ensures that young people not only have a voice but also lead decision-making processes in their communities. We are confident ActionAid will maintain its strong track record in youth programming.”
Minister of Youth, Ibrahim Sannoh, who officially launched the project, urged young people to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“Youth must remain focused, continuously improve themselves, and take ownership of their future,” Sannoh said. “Whether it is in climate action, gender equality, or economic empowerment, young people must lead the change they wish to see.”
The launch event brought together senior government officials, representatives from civil society, development partners, and youth leaders from the three target districts. Speakers underscored the need for strong partnerships between government, development agencies, and community-based organisations to address the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s youth, including unemployment, underrepresentation in governance, and limited access to resources.
For many participants, YAGGS represents a unique opportunity to transform the role of young people in decision-making processes and community development. By linking governance training with income-generating activities, the project aims to build a generation of young leaders who are both economically self-reliant and civically engaged.
Over the next two years, ActionAid and CCYA will work closely with community stakeholders to monitor progress, ensure accountability, and share lessons learned. The project also plans to create platforms for youth voices to be heard at both local and national levels, influencing policies that directly affect their lives.
As the nation continues to grapple with economic and social challenges, initiatives like YAGGS signal a renewed commitment to empowering the next generation. The message from the launch was clear: when young people are given the tools, skills, and opportunities to lead, they can be a driving force for good governance, stronger communities, and lasting transformation.
