Sierra Leone faces severe youth unemployment, poor waste management, and growing climate vulnerability. Over 70% of young people are unemployed, while more than 130,000 tons of waste are generated annually, exposing informal settlements and low-income communities to flooding, pollution, and health risks.
Freetown Innovation Lab addresses these challenges through an integrated circular economy and green skills model. Youths from vulnerable communities collect plastic and other waste from landfills, beaches, and drainage systems, which are recycled into eco-friendly construction materials and household products.