The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a three-day training programme to help 20 Sierra Leonean innovators selected under the Global Plastics Innovation Programme (GPIP) turn their ideas for tackling plastic pollution into scalable businesses that create jobs, strengthen communities and promote sustainable development.
The training is part of a series of activities under GPIP, funded by the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund (UNPDF). It brings together expert-led sessions, practical exercises, peer learning and networking opportunities.
Following the training, participants will receive ongoing technical advisory support to help address business growth challenges, strengthen their business models and prepare their ventures for expansion.
Across Sierra Leone, innovators are developing solutions to some of the country’s most pressing plastic pollution challenges, including waste collection and recovery, recycling, reuse systems, alternative materials and circular business models. However, many promising ventures continue to face barriers to accessing finance, building strategic partnerships, entering new markets and expanding their operations.
The training seeks to address these challenges through practical sessions covering business planning, investment readiness, financial management, market development, partnership building, and impact measurement and communication.
“Sierra Leone’s fight against plastic pollution is ultimately a story of innovation, entrepreneurship and community leadership,” said Kevin Petrini, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Sierra Leone.
“Across the country, innovators are demonstrating that waste can be transformed into value, creating jobs, improving livelihoods and protecting the environment. Through this programme, we are investing in the people and ideas that can help build a cleaner, more resilient and more circular future for Sierra Leone.”
Binta Barrie, UniPod Lead for the Zero-Waste Lab at Fourah Bay College, said many innovators had the passion and ideas to tackle plastic pollution but struggled to scale their solutions.
“Many innovators have the passion and ideas needed to address plastic pollution, but scaling those solutions remains a significant challenge,” she said.
“This programme is equipping us with the knowledge, networks and practical tools needed to strengthen our activities and increase our impact. It is helping us turn local solutions into sustainable enterprises that benefit communities across Sierra Leone.”
The training forms part of UNDP’s broader efforts across Africa to support locally led innovation, reduce plastic pollution, advance circular economy solutions, create green jobs and promote more sustainable patterns of production and consumption.
