Senegal empowers youth to preserve coastal environments through educational initiative

In a remarkable effort to protect Senegal’s coastline and engage the youth, the Senegal Youth Consortium (CJS) has launched a dynamic initiative aimed at rehabilitating Guediawaye beach, one of the country’s most beautiful coastal areas. Located on the outskirts of Dakar, this beach has been affected by erosion, but the CJS is turning the tide with a playful and educational approach.

The Gued Beach project, introduced by CJS, focuses on empowering local youth through development programs that combine sports, culture, and environmental education. Each school break, hundreds of young residents flock to Guediawaye beach to participate in activities like swimming, dancing, golf, and boxing, while also learning the importance of preserving their natural environment.

“We are not merely here for the fun,” said Ahmed Aliou Sow, a squad coach at the CJS. “We raise awareness about coastal erosion and environmental issues, encouraging youth to take responsibility for the preservation of their beach.”

With plans to create 400 new jobs through long-term activities, the initiative addresses youth unemployment while helping tackle Senegal’s coastal erosion problem. Through this innovative project, the CJS is fostering a generation of environmental stewards, ensuring that the country’s 700 km coastline is preserved for future generations.