Youth Jobs Gap: On International Youth Day, Sierra Leone’s 500,000 jobs pledge is being tested by reality: the Labour Congress says government alone can’t deliver at scale, pointing to private investment as the “sure bet” while noting the economy creates far fewer jobs than promised. Youth Skills & STEM Funding: Soroptimist El Centro’s STEAM WARS & BEYOND has won multi-year funding of over $100,000 and international recognition—an example of how local youth programmes can attract global support. Youth Competitions: Media personality Suad Baydoun launches a national debate and essay contest in Freetown (Aug 14 and Aug 21), with cash prizes and a free essay track focused on empowering youth for a sustainable future. Power Access Push: A solar-plus-storage project, RESPITE, says it will raise Sierra Leone’s grid access from 16% to 36%, aiming to cut long outages and reliance on costly imported fuel. E-waste & Plastic Pollution: In Bo District, young innovator Peter George is turning electronic waste into solar lamps and later recycling plastics into backpacks—linking livelihoods with cleaner communities. Wildlife Conservation Lesson: “Pa Willie” Tucker’s chimpanzee sanctuary work highlights how conservation lasts when it also supports nearby communities’ food and income. Public Finance Reform: The Ministry of Finance begins consultations to review the Public Financial Management Act, including climate finance and stronger oversight. Health & Outbreak Context: Congo’s Ebola death toll keeps rising fast, underscoring the pressure on health systems during outbreaks.