The European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone organised a Youth Engagement and Music Event at Family Kingdom in Freetown, bringing together some 150 young people from across the country, as well as government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, youth-led groups and members of the diplomatic community. The gathering was one of the activities to mark 50 years of partnership between the European Union and Sierra Leone. It was squarely focused on ways of deepening youth participation in national development.
The event was an open forum for discussions on critical youth issues such as employment, education, migration, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, innovation, and skills development, and it provided young people with direct access to policymakers. The main objective was to share practical recommendations from young Sierra Leoneans and to restate the commitment of the EU and government to support youth-led solutions.
“I am very pleased to welcome you all here today,” said Stéphane Meert, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone. He praised the active participation of youth-led organisations and reaffirmed the EU’s long-standing commitment to the youth of Sierra Leone. “The biggest asset of Sierra Leone is its youth. “Their energy, creativity and determination are vital for the future of the country,” said Mr Meert. “The EU and its Member States will continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone and other partners to support human capital development and broaden opportunities through education, skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation and decent employment.”
Business and investment are key drivers of opportunity for young people, Mr Meert said, with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy a key tool to help drive sustainable private sector investment in Sierra Leone. He said the planned launch of a European Union Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone (EuroCham) is expected to boost business links and promote increased commercial engagement between Sierra Leone and EU member states – a development that could open up new avenues for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
In the government’s statement, Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh reiterated the administration’s commitment to empower young people through programmes being implemented in collaboration with the European Union and other development partners. He cited the government’s efforts through programmes that enhance livelihoods and expand access to opportunities for youth across the country. Minister Sannoh urged the youth of Sierra Leone to be receptive to innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship as ways of personal and national development, and pointed to the role of the National Youth Service (NYS) in providing jobs, practical work experience and skills training for graduates and other young people.
Minister Sannoh also called on the young people to take advantage of the opportunities and avoid risky behaviours including irregular migration which is locally known as “temple run”. The reference echoed concerns raised by many participants on the increasing number of dangerous journeys made by migrants, and the need for safer, attractive alternatives at home.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, PhD, stressed the importance of placing young people at the centre of decision-making and ensuring that policies are informed by the lived realities of young people. Dr Wurie emphasised the significance of education, innovation and creativity for national development and reiterated the government’s commitment to further enhance technical and vocational education, so that young people can acquire practical skills that are relevant to the market. She urged the youth to take advantage of programmes and institutions throughout the country to enhance their prospects and make meaningful contributions to Sierra Leone’s development.
A round-table discussion was an important part of the event, where Ministers and young people from all over Sierra Leone could speak directly to each other. During an interactive session, young people shared the challenges they face, including high unemployment, limited access to opportunities outside major urban centres and gaps in education and skills training, leaving many without the tools needed in the labour market. Participants also called for greater investment in support for entrepreneurship, access to finance, mentorship and digital skills, and more inclusive policies that address the needs of young women and rural youth.
The young delegates submitted concrete proposals for reform of youth policies and increased employment opportunities, including increased vocational training and apprenticeships and stronger links between education institutions and the private sector. The round-table was a two-way street; not only did policymakers listen to concrete proposals, but they also promised to follow up on specific issues raised by participants.
The event concluded with a recommitment by the European Union and the Government of Sierra Leone on the strengthening of cooperation on youth development, reiterating that the next phase of their partnership will continue to be centred on human capital, entrepreneurship and job creation. The programme also celebrated Sierra Leonean youth culture through musical performances and poetry to showcase the creativity and dynamism of the youth.
The celebration of 50 years of partnership between the EU and Sierra Leone underscored a shared belief in the central role of young people in building a more inclusive, innovative and prosperous future. Participants left the event feeling heard and looking forward to the ideas shared feeding into concrete policies and programmes aimed at creating more opportunities for Sierra Leone’s next generation.
