Project information
Start date: September 2025
End date: August 2027
Location: Pujehun District, Coastal Sierra Leone
The Challenge
Pujehun District is one of Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable coastal regions. Families here depend almost entirely on the sea and mangrove forests for food, income, and protection from storms. But these lifelines are disappearing.
Mangroves are being cut faster than they can regrow, fish stocks have collapsed by over 90%, and 30% of children face stunted growth due to poor diets and limited access to protein. As the coastline erodes and the sea rises, homes, farms, and fishing grounds are increasingly at risk.
Women and young people carry the greatest burden. With fewer fish to catch and fewer trees for fuel, they must walk longer distances for food and firewood, earn less income, and face growing uncertainty about their future. Many young people see no viable livelihood options within their own communities.
Our Project
Coastal Roots is a community‑led initiative that restores damaged ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods for families living along Sierra Leone’s coastline. Working with our trusted local partner MoPADA, we will support 1,300 vulnerable people (70% women) across 10 coastal communities to rebuild their environment and strengthen their income.
Community‑Led Restoration
Local groups, led by women, young people, and persons with disabilities will restore 10 hectares of mangroves using the CBEMR method, a proven approach that helps ecosystems recover naturally. Healthy mangroves protect villages from storms, support fish stocks, and store carbon.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Families will gain practical skills and resources to build climate‑resilient income streams, including:
- Small‑scale fish farming, producing around 12,000 fish annually
- Salt‑tolerant farming and community seed banks
- Mangrove‑friendly enterprises such as beekeeping and fuel‑efficient cookstove production
- Vocational apprenticeships for young people
These activities reduce pressure on natural resources while improving food security and income.
Project funders
The Faroe Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture’s Humanitarian Grant 2025