Center for Community Impact and Sustainability

19/09/2026

Meet One of Our Speakers: Lyzianah Emakoua

As we continue the countdown to our side event at New York Climate Week 2026, Ensuring Climate Justice Through Climate Justice Fellowship for Young Women, we are delighted to introduce Lyzianah Emakoua, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Community Impact and Sustainability (CCIS).

Lyzianah Emakoua is a passionate advocate for sustainable development, climate justice, and community-centered solutions that advance social and environmental resilience. Through her leadership at CCIS, she has championed initiatives that empower women, young people, and marginalized communities to participate meaningfully in climate action and sustainable development processes.

With extensive experience in community engagement, environmental sustainability, and capacity development, Lyzianah works at the intersection of climate change, gender equality, and social inclusion, helping to strengthen local responses to some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing communities today. Her work emphasizes the importance of ensuring that vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, are not only protected from the impacts of climate change but are also recognized as leaders and agents of change in building a more sustainable future.

Join us as we learn from her experiences and explore how investing in young women's leadership can drive transformative climate action and advance a more just and resilient world.

13/09/2026

TWO DAYS TO GO.
Two days until we begin.
800 changemakers. One shared coastline. Countless climate solutions waiting to be built.
We are not waiting for the future.
We are building it.
15 September 2026.

13/09/2026

FOUR DAYS TO GO.
On 15 September 2026, something powerful begins in Sierra Leone.
The Coastal Futures Initiative (CFI) is coming to life.
800 COASTAL CHANGEMAKERS.
ONE COASTAL FUTURE.
ONE MOVEMENT.
It is about young people looking at the challenges around them and asking:
What if waste becomes wealth?
What if mangroves become livelihoods?
How can we make our fisheries smarter, safer and more valuable?
Could we turn our communities into laboratories for climate solutions?
How about ending the waiting and building our future from here? Greener, brighter, more prosperous?
From 15–18 September, 800 changemakers from our coastal communities will come together for a practical Climate Futures Foundation, exploring recycling, circular economy, blue economy, climate resilience, green enterprise, nature-based solutions, livelihoods and climate leadership.
This is the beginning of a journey.
From September 2026 into April 2027, we will learn, experiment, build, restore, test, adapt and grow.
Because the future of our coast cannot be built by waiting for someone else to come and fix it.
It will be built by the people who live there.

13/07/2026

🌍✈️ Sierra Leone made history with the successful hosting of the first-ever National Study Abroad Summit Sierra Leone 2026 under the theme, “Beyond Borders: Connecting Sierra Leone’s Brightest Minds to Global Education and Scholarship Opportunities.”

The summit welcomed over 800 participants, including students, educators, scholarship alumni, development partners, and policymakers, for a day of inspiration, learning, and engagement around international education and scholarship opportunities.

As an organizing partner and co-host, the Centre for Community Impact and Sustainability (CCIS) was proud to support this landmark initiative and contribute to conversations on scholarships, fellowships, international exchanges, and pathways to global education.

The event brought together the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, the CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, the first female elected president of the National Student Union of Sierra Leone Students, Miss, Fiona Ngima, and other distinguished leaders and partners committed to investing in Sierra Leone’s human capital and future leaders.

The summit concluded with the official launch of a mentorship programme aimed at supporting young Sierra Leoneans to secure scholarships and admissions to competitive universities around the world.

A special acknowledgment goes to Scholarly Path founder Wantoe Teah Wantoe for his visionary leadership and our CEO Lyzianah Breakthrough her commitment o expanding access to global opportunities for Sierra Leone’s young people.

Photo creJoe Joee Joe

11/07/2026

10/07/2026

Our CEO, Lyzianah Emakoua, had the honour of speaking alongside the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, and other distinguished speakers at the Youth Climate Resilience and Environmental Stewardship Training Initiative hosted by Coastline Resilience Network at Milton Margai Technical University.

Addressing university students and young leaders, she challenged participants to become climate-literate, innovators, and environmental stewards capable of driving Sierra Leone’s green transition.

CCIS was also proud to join Coastline Resilience Network and partners in planting 1,000 economic trees, a powerful investment in climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.

For CCIS, this initiative reflects our mission of empowering young people to lead climate solutions while protecting our environment for present and future generations.

Because the trees we plant today will become the legacy we leave for generations to come. 🌍🌳

09/07/2026

08/07/2026

We are proud and excited that the Centre for Community Impact and Sustainability (CCIS) is partnering with the National Study Abroad Summit – Sierra Leone 2026, a landmark initiative dedicated to expanding access to global education opportunities for Sierra Leonean students.

Our CEO, Lyzianah Emakoua, will also be co-hosting the event and looks forward to engaging with students, scholarship providers, alumni, government representatives, and international partners as we collectively strengthen Sierra Leone’s global education ecosystem.

If you aspire to study abroad, secure scholarships, and connect with those who have successfully navigated the journey, this is an event you do not want to miss.

See you tomorrow at Miatta Conference Hall!

29/06/2026

As a proud partner, the Centre for Community Impact and Sustainability (CCIS) was honored to support She4Peace’s Elevate Men’s Seminar 2.0, held under the theme “It’s Okay to Say, I Am Not Okay” at the Toma Resort

The seminar brought together government representatives, mental health professionals, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and students to foster honest conversations on men’s mental health, positive masculinity, and social transformation in Sierra Leone.

Through insightful panel discussions and inspiring keynote addresses, participants emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma around men’s mental wellbeing, promoting healthy expressions of masculinity, and creating safe spaces where men can seek support without fear of judgment.

CCIS remains committed to partnering with organizations that champion mental wellbeing, gender equality, and inclusive dialogue, recognizing that healthier men contribute to stronger families, resilient communities, and sustainable development.

29/06/2026