EU launches “Rise & Recycle” youth competition to tackle Liberia’s waste crisis

LIBERIA – The European Union Delegation in Liberia has launched the “Rise & Recycle 2025” competition, a three-stage initiative designed to empower young Liberians to transform waste into valuable products.

The program aims to inspire innovation in recycling plastics, metals, rubber, wood, and textiles, while nurturing youth-led solutions to one of the country’s most pressing challenges—waste management.

“We envision this competition as a foundation for broader collaborations with young people and future initiatives to advance environmental innovation in Liberia,” the EU Delegation said in a statement.

The launch comes at a time when global plastic pollution is at crisis levels. Of the 300 million tonnes of plastic produced annually worldwide, just 9% is recycled.

The problem is particularly acute in Liberia, where 1.3 million kilograms of municipal solid waste are generated daily, 14% of it single-use plastic. Alarmingly, more than 84% of this waste is mismanaged, polluting waterways and communities.

With nearly 75% of Liberians under the age of 30, the EU sees youth empowerment as key to driving change.

The competition challenges participants to submit a one-minute video explaining their recycling vision.

Twenty entries will be shortlisted, and the top ten contestants will create recycled masterpieces ranging from upcycled products to artistic works.

Five finalists will advance to a final round, where their projects will be showcased at a live event and judged on creativity, environmental impact, and public engagement.

The top three winners will receive prizes and three-month internships with EU-partnered organizations, including the UNDP, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Evergreen Recycling Institute. The first-place winner will also receive a tablet and media recognition.

The competition builds on the EU’s long-standing investments in Liberia’s environmental sector. Past projects include the €4.68 million Leh Go Green project and the €2.6 million PAPFor initiative, which promotes sustainable forestry in Liberia and Guinea.

The EU has also backed community-based waste management in Monrovia, though not all initiatives achieved lasting success.

A recent investigation revealed shortcomings in a US$3 million EU-funded waste project, prompting a shift toward grassroots innovation and youth-driven solutions.

The launch coincides with global debates over a binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution, where negotiators remain deadlocked on key issues.

Against this backdrop, the EU hopes Rise & Recycle will become an annual event, building awareness, innovation, and employment opportunities.

“By maintaining and expanding this platform, we aim to engage young innovators in developing practical solutions to plastic pollution and other environmental challenges,” the EU Delegation affirmed.

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