BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, with significant financial support from the European Union, conducted a full two-day training workshop in Sierra Leone on August 27 and 28, 2026. The initiative aims to empower Sierra Leonean youth through the "Dis Na Wi Voice" project, which focuses on youth engagement and development. This training, a key event, was specifically organized under the umbrella of the "Dis Na Wi Voice" Project, signifying its central role in the broader programme. It is part of a larger programme implemented by BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, with funding specifically provided by the European Union. The project shows an ongoing commitment to fostering youth participation and providing essential skills within the region, with the training aiming at strengthening young people’s participation in civic engagement, public discourse, and positive social change.
Project Goals and Scope
Participants in the "Dis Na Wi Voice" project received practical knowledge spanning leadership, journalism, digital communication, advocacy, and civic responsibility. This full curriculum is designed to equip young people with the essential tools needed to navigate and contribute to contemporary society. The initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, is designed as a 24-month media-for-youth programme. This extensive duration allows for sustained engagement and skill development among its beneficiaries. It specifically targets young people across Sierra Leone, focusing on individuals between the ages of 15 and 30, a demographic key for the nation's future development. The programme's objective is to not only impart skills but also to foster a sense of civic responsibility and proactive engagement among its participants.
The training conducted at Fourah Bay College formed one component of a broader effort by the project. This wider initiative aims to establish dynamic youth-led media spaces within the participating universities, fostering direct engagement and skill development among students. The establishment of these vibrant youth-led media spaces is a key strategy to ensure that young people have platforms to express their views and contribute to public dialogue. The project's full scope is intended to equip young Sierra Leoneans with the tools necessary for effective communication and participation in public discourse, thereby enabling them to become active agents of change in their communities. Through these efforts, the project seeks to cultivate a generation of informed and engaged citizens capable of addressing the challenges and opportunities facing Sierra Leone.
Participant Experiences and Insights
The training initiatives sought to reinforce young people's involvement in civic engagement, public discourse, and efforts toward positive social change. This foundational training was conducted at the Mass Communication Building of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, located in Freetown. This specific location provided an academic and accessible environment for participants to immerse themselves in the training modules. The location served as a central point for participants to gather and engage with the project's curriculum, facilitating a collaborative learning experience. Participants included students from Fourah Bay College, Central University, and young people from the Mile 91 community, ensuring a diverse representation of youth from different educational backgrounds and geographical areas. This inclusive approach helps to disseminate the project's benefits widely across various segments of Sierra Leonean youth.
The project operates through a network of three distinct media hubs, each serving as a focal point for youth activities and skill development. These hubs include Radio Mount Aureol, situated at Fourah Bay College; Njala University’s Mokonde Campus, which hosts another operational center; and Central University Radio, located in Mile 91. These hubs provide localized platforms for media creation and community interaction, allowing participants to apply their newly acquired skills in practical settings. These media hubs are designed to be vibrant centers where young people can produce content, engage in discussions, and connect with their communities, amplifying their voices and perspectives. The strategic placement of these hubs ensures broad geographical reach and accessibility for a diverse range of young individuals.
Officials anticipate several key outcomes from the project's interventions. These include a measurable increase in confidence and motivation among young Sierra Leoneans, empowering them to take on leadership roles and advocate for their communities. Participants are also expected to acquire practical skills directly applicable to media production and advocacy, making them more competitive in the job market and effective in their civic roles. The project aims to foster greater civic participation and activism within the youth demographic, empowering them to take more active roles in their communities and national conversations. The objective is to equip young individuals with the tools and encouragement needed to contribute meaningfully to societal development, ultimately leading to a more engaged and empowered youth population. These anticipated outcomes are central to the project's long-term vision for youth development in Sierra Leone.
Broader Impact and Future Aspirations
The training was organized as part of the “Dis Na Wi Voice” Project, an initiative specifically designed to foster youth engagement and development across Sierra Leone. This project aims to equip young people with the skills and platforms necessary to participate actively in public discourse, ensuring their voices are heard on matters of national importance. Participants in the training included students from Fourah Bay College and Central University, alongside young individuals from the Mile 91 community, reflecting a broad outreach strategy designed to reach diverse youth populations. This wide participation ensures that the benefits of the project are distributed across various communities and educational institutions.
The “Dis Na Wi Voice” project seeks to empower these participants to utilize both traditional and digital media platforms effectively. The goal is for them to influence public conversations and contribute meaningfully to national development through informed and active participation. This includes encouraging young people to voice their perspectives on issues affecting their communities and the nation at large, thereby shaping public opinion and policy. The project specifically aims to empower them to use traditional and digital media platforms to influence public conversations and contribute meaningfully to national development, fostering a generation that is both media-savvy and civically responsible. This dual focus on media literacy and civic engagement is key for sustainable development.
The project targets a significant number of young individuals and facilitators across various roles, demonstrating its extensive reach and ambition. Specifically, it aims to engage 240 university students and 60 community youths directly in its activities, providing them with hands-on experience and training. The initiative plans to involve 15 hub facilitators and 10 digital stewards to help manage and guide project activities at the local level, ensuring effective implementation and mentorship. An additional 100 digital content creators are being supported to produce relevant media, promoting local content creation and digital literacy. The project also provides opportunities for 16 young people through placements in national media institutions, offering invaluable practical experience in the professional media landscape and helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. This full approach to engagement and development shows the project's commitment to building a strong ecosystem for youth participation in Sierra Leone.
