GYCSierraLeone

26/08/2026

Freetown, Sierra Leone 26 August 2026

Today, Global Youth Counterpart for Sustainable Development Sierra Leone (GYC SL) officially launched the National Youth Climate Adaptation Network (YCAN) Sierra Leone, marking an important milestone in strengthening youth leadership and participation in climate adaptation and resilience.

Held under the theme “Operationalising the Freetown Declaration on Youth-Led Climate Adaptation,” the launch brought together representatives from Government, development partners, civil society, the private sector, youth and other key stakeholders committed to advancing youth-led climate action.

The programme featured insightful statements from partners and government representatives, including representatives from , EPA, NAYCOM, Concern Worldwide, SLMET, C40 Cities, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, civil society, private sector and other partners.

A keynote address on “Youth at the Heart of the City's Climate Resilience” was delivered by C40 Cities respresenative Salieu Kamara, while representative from EPA, Hendry David Bayoh, delivered a keynote on “Anchoring Youth in National Climate Governance.”

A major highlight of the event was the formal unveiling of the YCAN Governance Charter and one-year Operationalisation Roadmap, providing an important framework for coordinated youth engagement in climate adaptation.

The event also witnessed the induction and certification of 20 Youth Climate Advocates and founding institutional members, followed by the signing of the YCAN–Government Statement of Support, demonstrating a shared commitment to strengthening youth participation in national climate governance.

The voice of young people was further highlighted through a testimony from founding Youth Climate Advocate Alice Johnson, reinforcing the importance of placing young people at the heart of climate solutions.

GYC SL extends sincere appreciation to *Concern Worldwide Sierra Leone, Government institutions, development partners, CSOs, private-sector actors, youth representatives, the media, and everyone who contributed to making this historic launch possible.
Youth at the heart of climate adaptation.
Youth leading the way toward a resilient Sierra Leone.

12/08/2026

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2026!

On behalf of the leadership of Global Youth Counterpart for Sustainable Development (GYC-SL), I extend my warmest wishes to all our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and, most importantly, every young person in Sierra Leone and around the world as we commemorate International Youth Day 2026.

This year’s theme, “Building Resilience: How Young People Turn Challenges into Leadership Opportunities,” reminds us that challenges are not barriers to our potential, they are opportunities to learn, innovate, lead, and create meaningful change.

To our GYC staff and volunteers, thank you for your commitment, passion, sacrifices, and tireless efforts in building an emerging society of young leaders. Your contribution continues to demonstrate that young people are not merely leaders of tomorrow; we are change-makers and leaders today.

To every young person, I encourage you to believe in your voice, embrace challenges, develop your talents, support one another, and turn every obstacle into an opportunity for leadership and positive action. Our communities and our country need your ideas, courage, creativity, and leadership.

Let us continue to empower young voices, inspire innovation, engage for change, and sustain our future.

Happy International Youth Day 2026!

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

With support from YAGGS Project Small Grant, GYC Sierra Leone Successfully Concludes Capacity-Building Workshop for Staff & Volunteers

Western Area Rural District, SIERRA LEONE — Global Youth Counterpart for Sustainable Development (GYC Sierra Leone) has successfully concluded a Capacity Building Workshop for GYC Staff and Volunteers, aimed at strengthening the organization’s internal institutional capacity and enhancing the effectiveness of its programmes and operations.

The workshop was held under the project titled “Strengthening the Internal Institutional Capacity of Global Youth Counterpart for Sustainable Development (GYC) Sierra Leone.”

The capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening the knowledge, skills and systems of GYC staff and volunteers in key areas essential to organizational growth and sustainability, including:

🔹 Project Management
🔹 Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
🔹 Financial Management
🔹 Resource Mobilization
🔹 Youth Drug Abuse Awareness Campaigning
🔹 Organizational accountability and operational effectiveness

Through interactive learning, discussions, practical sessions and experience-sharing, participants strengthened their understanding of effective programme implementation, accountability, institutional systems and sustainable organizational development.

The workshop represents an important step in GYC Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to building a strong, accountable, effective and sustainable youth-led organization capable of contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and community transformation.

GYC Sierra Leone extends sincere appreciation to all staff, volunteers, facilitators and partners whose dedication and contributions made the workshop a success.

The initiative was supported by the Youth Action for Good Governance and Self-Reliance (YAGGS) Project – Small Grant and funded through the European Union, ActionAid Sierra Leone and the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA).

Together, we continue building an emerging society of young leaders. ✊🏾

See attached pictures of workshop participants.

18/07/2026

GYC Sierra Leone, Empowering Sierra Leone's Next Generation of Climate Leaders!

Over two impactful days, 20 Youth Climate Advocates successfully completed an intensive training focused on operationalising the Freetown Declaration through the Youth Climate Adaptation Network (YCAN) Sierra Leone.

The training equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills in:

Climate change science and Sierra Leone's climate challenges.
Climate governance, national and global policy frameworks.
The principles, commitments, and implementation of the Freetown Declaration.
Gender equality, inclusion, and climate justice.
Climate advocacy, public speaking, and influencing decision-makers.
Project design, proposal writing, and accessing climate finance opportunities.

The programme concluded with induction of the founding YCAN Climate Advocates, who are now committed to leading climate action, mobilising communities, and advancing sustainable development across Sierra Leone.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Concern Worldwide Sierra Leone for their invaluable support in making this initiative possible. Together, we are investing in young leaders who will champion climate resilience and drive meaningful change for a more sustainable future.

19/06/2026

GYC Sierra Leone at the MRU YouthConnekt Summit 2026

GYC Sierra Leone proudly joined fellow young people from the Mano River Union (MRU) member states at the YouthConnekt Summit convened in Sierra Leone by the Ministry of Youth Affairs (MOYA).

The event provided a valuable platform for GYC Sierra Leone to showcase its work on youth development, climate action and sustainable livelihoods, including our organic compost fertilizers (both liquid and solid), produced with support from the Youth Climate Action Accelerator (YCAA) Project implemented by Plan International Sierra Leone.

We were delighted to receive visits and patronage from international youth delegates, United Nations representatives, government officials, and other stakeholders who expressed interest in and purchased our products. Their support serves as a strong encouragement to continue promoting climate-smart and environmentally sustainable solutions.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Plan International Sierra Leone and the YCAA Project for their invaluable support. We also thank everyone who visited our exhibition booth and patronized our products. We look forward to expanding our impact, scaling up production, and building more partnerships that contribute to youth empowerment and environmental sustainability in Sierra Leone.

11/06/2026

GYC Sierra Leone, participated in a five-day capacity-building workshop alongside other youth-led and youth civil society organizations from the Western Area Rural District (WARD).

The workshop was organized by the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA) in partnership with ActionAid Sierra Leone (AASL) under the Youth Action for Good Governance and Self-Reliance (YAGGS) Project funded by the European Union 🇪🇺

The primary objective of the workshop was to strengthen the institutional and advocacy capacities of youth-led organizations by providing training in key thematic areas, including Transparency and Leadership, Civic Education, Policy Advocacy, Advocacy and Networking, and Monitoring.
Through interactive sessions and knowledge-sharing activities, participants enhanced their understanding of good governance principles and gained practical skills to improve organizational effectiveness and community engagement.

GYC Sierra Leone values this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and contribute to building a stronger and more accountable youth sector. The organization remains committed to applying the knowledge gained to advance youth empowerment and promote good governance across Sierra Leone.

01/05/2026

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL LABOR DAY

We extend our heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes to all hardworking men and women across Sierra Leone and around the world.

Today, we celebrate your dedication, resilience, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment toward building stronger communities, transforming societies, and driving sustainable development. Every effort you make whether in offices, schools, hospitals, markets, farms, construction sites, or communities, contributes to the growth and progress of our nation and the world.

Your hard work inspires hope, creates opportunities, and shapes a better future for generations to come.

As we commemorate this important day, GYC SL reaffirms its commitment to empowering young people, promoting decent work, and supporting inclusive development where every worker is valued and respected.

Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your commitment.
Thank you for building our world every day.

Happy International Labor Day!

Together, we build. Together, we rise.

Global Youth Counterpart Sierra