Sierra Leone

Youth Engagement, Employment and Empowerment

Project Background

With the end of the armed conflict and the signing of the peace agreement in 2001, Sierra Leone has been faced with the need to meet the challenges of building a democratic, peaceful, stable and multi-ethnic society. Over the last few years, noticeable progress has been achieved, with the elections of a new president and Parliament, and the establishment of key governing institutions, etc. However, the increasing number of unemployed and marginalized young people is now seriously compromising the overall stability of the country. The youth population is estimated at about a third of the total population, with more than 60% of them being unemployed. Many of the youths were of school-going age during the war and had therefore been deprived of basic education.

At 31%, Sierra Leone’s adult literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world. There also exists considerable gender and geographical parity in literacy rates. Less than 20 percent of females can read English and do written calculation, whereas more than 35 percent of males can. Illiteracy is therefore one of the key challenges Sierra Leone faces in meeting the Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty among youths.

In addition, drug abuse and prostitution are becoming widespread among the youth. Also, available evidence suggests the incidence of HIV/AIDs among youths is on the rise.

Project Objectives

1. To provide rapid employment opportunities and income generating activities for young people;

2. To strengthen the youth division of the of Ministry Education, Youth and Sports at national and local levels, and to facilitate the participation of young people in decision-making processes;

3. To mainstream youth employment issues into all national policies and development initiatives;

4. To build on successful on-going youth projects as well as implement pilot initiatives for the purpose of providing immediate employment, while simultaneously developing a medium and long-term strategy for tackling youth unemployment; and

5. To lead to increased engagement in economic viable activities and as such result in increased employment.

Project Outcome

1. Jobs created for youths

2. Youth database and youth directory established

3. Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports capacitated and youth organizations strengthened

4. Youth to have received literacy and informal education relevant to income generation

5. Youth sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking, and HIV/AIDS

6. National Employment Policy and Youth Empowerment Act formulated

7. District Committees and National Youth Council established

8. National Youth Strategy implemented