Launched in 2014, U-Report Sierra Leone has given young people a powerful platform to voice their opinions on the issues that matter most to them—from education 📚 to health 💉 to social challenges 🤝. This youth-driven initiative powered by TextIt's platform was revitalized in July with a rebrand and a renewed focus on engagement. Since then, over 16,000 new users have joined, further strengthening U-Report’s role in empowering youth 💪🏾 and driving meaningful change.
U-Report is not just about filling out surveys—it’s about providing youth with an opportunity to actively participate in conversations that affect their future. By responding to polls and sharing their opinions 💬, young people are directly influencing national policies and raising awareness on key issues. Whether it’s improving education, tackling health challenges, or addressing social issues, U-Reporters are playing a vital role in shaping their communities.
Lina Zafirah Maysun Wurie, a U-Report Technical Specialist and part of the UNICEF Innovations team in Sierra Leone, is deeply involved in this process. She relies on RapidPro, the program supported by TextIt's platform.
"RapidPro serves as the backbone of U-Report and we can seamlessly collect, analyze, and summarize valuable data. The option to sync the results with the Landing Page simplifies the sharing of results with various stakeholders—all we need to do is share the link," says Lina.
RapidPro helps U-Report directly engage with youth, empowering them to contribute to important discussions 🗣️.
"Data Collection through RapidPro is particularly crucial in a country where it’s often hard to gather accurate and timely data from various communities, especially youth," Lina mentions. This communication tool ensures that young people can actively participate in shaping decisions that impact their lives. 🧑💻
One of the key strengths of U-Report is its ability to quickly and efficiently reach youth across Sierra Leone.
"RapidPro positively affects how I communicate with youth across Sierra Leone by enabling fast and effective outreach," says Lina. The platform’s integration with local telecommunication companies 📞 makes communication free for citizens, removing financial barriers to participation. This feature is especially valuable in emergency situations 🚨, where timely information can make all the difference.
"What I particularly appreciate is how quickly I can reach thousands of people—within minutes—whether sharing updates, conducting surveys, or providing information which can be very important in emergency situations," Lina shares. The speed and accessibility of communication through RapidPro makes it a vital tool for engaging youth and addressing pressing concerns. ⚡
Beyond policy and data collection, U-Report plays an essential role in promoting peace ✌️ and social cohesion 🤝. In collaboration with organizations like UNICEF and UNDP, U-Report has helped train Peace Ambassadors who lead community dialogues and initiatives focused on addressing issues like drug abuse. These ambassadors foster understanding and cooperation, contributing to a peaceful, unified society.
U-Reporters also promote peace at the local level by establishing School Clubs. These clubs act as spaces where young people continue to discuss social issues, and exchange ideas 💡.
One of the most impactful examples of U-Report’s work is its collaboration with UN Women and UNDP on a peace-building initiative 🌈. Through intergenerational dialogues 🗣️, U-Report connected youth with community leaders, facilitating action plans that addressed local concerns. This initiative resulted in tangible, lasting change in the community.
These efforts demonstrate the real-world impact of U-Report. Young people aren’t just sharing their opinions—they’re actively involved in creating solutions and making a difference in their communities.
With U-Report, youth in Sierra Leone have the opportunity not only to be heard but also to influence the policies and decisions that affect their lives. It’s an empowering platform that gives young people the chance to lead, make an impact, and transform their communities. Consider the below example of a U-Report poll, which highlights just how powerful this platform can be in engaging youth and driving change:
In the example above, Lina and her team have used TextIt's Flow builder to develop an interactive message flow aimed at raising awareness about Monkeypox and how it spreads.
The flow begins with a short survey sent to U-Reporters to assess their existing knowledge of Mpox—this helps gauge community awareness levels.
Next, the flow delivers accurate, easy-to-understand information directly to the contact. It covers: what Mpox is, how it spreads, recognizable symptoms, and how to prevent transmission. At the end of the flow, participants are asked to complete a short feedback survey about how informative or helpful they found the messages.
Once the contacts (U-Reporters) have finished the flow, Lina’s team not only gathers valuable insights into the community’s knowledge about the disease, but also equips individuals with essential information to help them recognize and prevent the illness.
The poll results from this flow are then posted on the U-Report website.
U-Report isn’t slowing down anytime soon! As the platform & its community continue to grow, the focus will remain on engaging youth, strengthening partnerships 🤝, and ensuring that young voices continue to drive real change 🔥. U-Report is nurturing a generation of youth leaders who are ready to shape the future of Sierra Leone.
U-Report is more than just a tool—it’s a movement. By giving youth the space to be heard 📢, U-Report is helping to build a more inclusive , empowered 💪🏾, and connected future for Sierra Leone. Whether it’s through surveys, community initiatives, or peace-building projects, young people are taking charge of the issues that matter most to them. And with tools like RapidPro 📱, U-Report ensures that their voices are not only heard but acted upon. 🗣️✔️
Learn more about U-Report Here!