Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project Brief

Communities living along Sierra Leone's coast face escalating threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, more intense storms, and increasing temperatures. The Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project (SLCRP), funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), aims to build resilience in 75 coastal communities spanning five districts: Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, Bonthe, and Pujehun. The project addresses critical climate challenges such as coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events, empowering approximately 60,000 people, with a particular focus on women, youth, and children, to sustainably manage their environment and livelihoods.

Led by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with Save the Children, the SLCRP aims to directly benefit about 260,000 people and indirectly improve the lives of an additional one million residents. Integral to this initiative is the conservation and restoration of 1,500 hectares of mangrove ecosystems, vital for protecting coastal areas and supporting local biodiversity.

Working with local partners, the project will increase people’s food and water security, support education, enhance social inclusion, and boost health and well-being. A crucial focus of the project will be improving opportunities for women, youth, and children who are especially vulnerable to climate change. This will include supporting more than 70 schools to increase their resilience and improve teaching on climate change. Planning and governance for climate adaptation will also be strengthened at the local and national levels, paving the way for further investments.