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On Friday, December 13, 2024, the Youth Initiative for Climate Action (YICA-SL) proudly launched the Youth Climate Council Freetown Chapter at the Freetown City Council Hall. This milestone marks the first local chapter of the Youth Climate Council Sierra Leone (YCC), a national initiative aimed at empowering and mobilizing young people to take a central role in climate action and policy advocacy.

The launch event, themed “Youth Voices, Policy Choices: Strengthening Local Action for Freetown,” brought together youth leaders, policymakers, and climate advocates to emphasize the importance of youth involvement in local climate initiatives. The establishment of the Freetown Chapter is a critical step in ensuring youth voices are central to the development and implementation of climate policies at the local level, with plans to expand to other provinces in Sierra Leone.

In her keynote address, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Co-Chair of C40 Cities, highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, stating that it is not a distant threat but a reality that is already impacting lives. She specifically pointed to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Sierra Leone, with changing weather patterns and extreme rainfall affecting crop yields. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized that collective action is required to combat the climate crisis and urged all sectors to work together to reduce its impacts and build resilience.

As the National Coordinator of the Youth Climate Council Sierra Leone, Foday Mark Kamara shared the journey that led to the establishment of the Freetown Chapter. Reflecting on the initial outreach to the Mayor over a year ago, he spoke about how the vision for the Freetown council evolved into a national movement. With the support of strategic partners such as the Green Africa Youth Organisation and the Youth Council Global Alliance, the national council was created, with the Freetown Chapter serving as the first local hub for youth-led climate action.

Yatta Kallon, Head of the Climate Change Department at Freetown City Council, also addressed the audience, expressing the significance of the initiative as a beacon of hope for youth leadership in climate action. She reminded attendees that the climate challenges we face are real and present, affecting not only the environment but also the livelihoods of communities, particularly in urban areas like Freetown. Through collaborations like the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, the Freetown City Council has been able to provide support to youth organizations, including YICA-SL, in their efforts to address these challenges.

The launch of the Freetown Chapter marks the beginning of a broader vision to strengthen grassroots involvement in climate action. The Youth Climate Council Sierra Leone aims to continue expanding its local chapters across the country, ensuring that young people everywhere have the opportunity to contribute to policy development and climate change mitigation.

YICA-SL remains committed to empowering the youth of Sierra Leone to lead the way in building a greener, more resilient future for all. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the partners, stakeholders, and supporters who have made this initiative possible, and we look forward to the continued success of the Youth Climate Council Freetown Chapter and its expansion nationwide.

Together, we will ensure that youth are at the forefront of climate action, driving positive change for a sustainable Sierra Leone.