LocationsUNDP empowers Sierra Leone’s youth to drive circular innovation through Youth Circularity 2030
March 3, 2026
Team Lead, Tanzila Sankoh and team with beneficiaries, Youth For Circularity 2030 Inception Workshop.
Freetown, Sierra Leone – 28 February 2026 - A new generation of young innovators in Sierra Leone is stepping forward to shape sustainable solutions through the Youth Circularity 2030 initiative, a new project within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Samsung partnership aimed at equipping youth with the skills, platforms, and opportunities to lead circular economy innovation.
Bringing together universities, innovation clubs, and youth networks, the initiative supports students to rethink how mobile devices and electronic products are designed, used, reused, repaired, and recycled, turning used goods into opportunity while creating pathways for green entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
As part of initiation of planned activities, a national inception workshop was organized on 5th February 2026 in Freetown, convening key stakeholder groups such as Universities, youth groups, entrepreneurs, civil society, and the media to foster stakeholder collaboration for implementation of activities under the Youth Circularity 2030 initiative.
Speaking at the inception meeting, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Kevin Petrini highlighted the transformative potential of youth-led innovation.
Deputy Resident Representative, Kevin Petrini conducting speech at Inception Workshop. © UNDP Sierra Leone / Memunatu Suma
“The Youth Circularity 2030 project is about empowering young leaders to drive sustainable solutions within the mobile technology lifecycle. By engaging universities, civil society, and entrepreneurs, we are building the knowledge, innovation, and partnerships needed to ensure that products are designed, used, reused, repaired, and recycled in ways that maximize value,” he said.
At the heart of the initiative there is a strong focus on youth-led innovation. The Initiative shall deliver key outputs designed to facilitate circular economy transition. Among other things, the initiative shall establish a Circular Innovation Lab at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone to provide a space for design, iteration and incubation of circular innovations; Unearth and provide technical support for youth-led SMEs and innovators in circular economy; and promote systematic uptake of circular economy knowledge through establishment of circular innovation clubs within tertiary educational institutions with targeted information for students.
Georgina Alie, Lecturer and Acting Head of Department at Njala University
“For Njala University, as a research and educational institution, having our students contribute to mobile circularity is a huge deal. With UNIPOD Innovation Labs, the upcoming Circular Innovation Lab, and technical support, they are now in a better position to bring their ideas to life,” she said.
Osman Fefakwe, a student at the University of Makeni
Students participating in the programme also described the initiative as a turning point in how innovation is experienced within universities and communities. Osman Fefakwe, a student at the University of Makeni, noted.
"There are lots of end-of-life materials in our communities, but there is limited knowledge that these devices can be turned into useful items. End-users always throw away faulty devices when they are no longer in use, as there are no proper recycling systems. This inception workshop has been impactful, and we look forward to the opportunities the UNIPOD will provide for those of us in the provinces."
The initiative is also creating new pathways for livelihoods and collaboration. Foday Augustine Bangura, Registrar of the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) highlighted how the project will enable students to develop marketable ideas and connect with peers beyond their institutions. He noted that young people will be able to showcase their talents, collaborate across universities, and position themselves for emerging opportunities within the green economy.
Mariama Baimba Keita, a student at Eastern Technical University
The Youth Circularity 2030 initiative forms part of the broader global partnership between UNDP and Samsung to empower young people to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through flagship efforts such as Generation17 (https://www.undp.org/generation17) and the Samsung Global Goal App (https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-global-goals/), the partnership elevates youth leadership in areas including climate action, innovation, and responsible consumption. In Sierra Leone, Youth Circularity 2030 brings this global vision into practice, connecting students and young innovators to international knowledge networks, mentorship, and emerging technologies while supporting them to design solutions for mobile reuse, repair, and recycling within their local context.
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About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with partners in more than 170 countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
About Samsung:
Samsung is a global technology leader committed to driving innovation that supports sustainable development, digital inclusion, and youth empowerment. Through strategic partnerships and global initiatives, Samsung invests in programs that advance environmental sustainability, expand access to digital technologies, and equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.