YOUTH DAY 2026: THREE MAJOR INITIATIVES LAUNCHED TO BOOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIERRA LEONE’S YOUNG PEOPLE

 Sierra Leone has unveiled three major youth development initiatives aimed at improving employment opportunities, strengthening youth participation in peacebuilding and coordinating investments in young people.

The initiatives were launched on 12 August 2026 during the national commemoration of International Youth Day at the Julius Maada Bio Conference Centre in Lungi.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay, representing Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, delivered the keynote address at the event, which brought together government officials, development partners, private-sector representatives, civil society organisations, youth leaders and young innovators.

The initiatives launched are the Youth Development Cooperation Framework, the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, and the Youth Employment Portal under the PSSNYE Project.

 A NEW PUSH FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

The Youth Employment Portal, developed under the Ministry of Youth Affairs with support from the World Bank, is designed to connect young people with employment and economic opportunities.

Through the platform, young people will be able to create profiles, upload skills and certifications, search for vacancies and access information about relevant programmes and events.

Employers will also be able to advertise vacancies and identify potential candidates.

Minister Barlay urged businesses and institutions to actively use the platform while encouraging young people to register and maintain credible profiles.

She stressed the importance of creating a system where access to opportunities is increasingly based on skills, competence and preparedness rather than personal connections.

 YOUTH AND PEACEBUILDING

The National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security was also launched to strengthen the role of young people in peacebuilding, governance and national development.

Minister Barlay emphasised that young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of peace, but as active partners in building social cohesion, democratic participation and national stability.

🤝 BETTER COORDINATION OF YOUTH INVESTMENTS

The Youth Development Cooperation Framework aims to improve coordination among government institutions, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

The framework is expected to help align youth-focused investments with national priorities, map existing interventions and strengthen the tracking of results.

 SHOWCASING YOUTH TALENT

The celebration also showcased the creativity and resilience of Sierra Leone’s young people.

One hundred youth-led enterprises were featured through the Creative Economy Talent Exposition, showcasing talent across fashion, arts, music and other creative industries.

Meanwhile, 1,200 youth bike riders were symbolically certified after completing training in alternative livelihood skills.

The event also highlighted livelihood interventions targeting young people in Moyamba, Tonkolili and Western Rural Districts.

Source: MoPED