Sierra Leone’s coastlines are facing the brunt of climate change, with rising sea levels, fiercer storms, and increased heat. To combat these challenges, a significant $26.8 million initiative has been announced by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of Sierra Leone, and Save the Children.

The project’s primary objective is to empower coastal communities to adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods. It targets directly impacting 260,000 people, with an additional one million expected to benefit from its various initiatives, including the conservation and restoration of 1,500 hectares of mangrove ecosystems.

Over the course of five years, the project will work closely with local partners to enhance food and water security, support education, promote social inclusion, and improve health and wellbeing among coastal communities. With a particular emphasis on the vulnerabilities of women, youth, and children to climate change, the project aims to strengthen resilience across all five coastal districts of Sierra Leone. This includes support for more than 70 schools to enhance their resilience and integrate climate change education into their curriculum.

The project’s financing, which includes a US$25 million grant from the Green Climate Fund, is complemented by contributions from Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency, the law firm Clifford Chance, and Jersey Overseas Aid.

Commenting on the initiative, Save the Children Australia CEO Mat Tinkler emphasized the urgent need to equip coastal communities with resources to adopt climate-resilient practices and create opportunities for women and young people. This sentiment was echoed by Green Climate Fund Executive Director Mafalda Duarte, who highlighted the importance of empowering frontline communities to build a more resilient future.

Dr. Abu Bakar Massaquoi, Executive Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency, expressed gratitude for the approval of the project, emphasizing its significance in addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by coastal communities.

Jersey’s Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey, underscored the project’s alignment with Jersey’s development priorities, focusing on protecting fragile ecosystems and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal inhabitants.

Tom Dunn, Global Pro Bono and Community Director at Clifford Chance, highlighted the project’s intersection between environmental sustainability and social wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to build a more resilient future.

This project marks Save the Children’s fourth collaboration with the Green Climate Fund and its first in sub-Saharan Africa. It will be implemented in partnership with Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency, local communities, and NGOs, following extensive consultations with stakeholders.

The official financing approval for the project was granted during the Green Climate Fund’s Board meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, with representatives from the Green Climate Fund, Save the Children, and Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency signing the project agreement.