IDEAL Sierra Leone or Intervention for Development and Efficient Alternative Livelihood (IDEAL) Sierra Leone, a local Non Governmental Organization with relevant knowledge and experience in community engagement resulting to improved livelihood and well-being, community empowerment and sustainable environmental management, is implementing a project titled ?Waste to Energy: Reducing Energy Poverty and Promoting Sustainable Land Management through ECOSAN toilets?. The project cycle spans over three phases: One: Information gathering and data collection and community engagements leading to the construction of two (2) facilities (Pilot Phase). Two: Replication of technology at critical public places and major rural towns (Replication Phase). Three: Increased partnership and cooperation for large scale production and/or adoption into a national environmental strategy (Upscale phase).

In Sierra Leone, the quality of Sanitation provision is grossly deficient with large amounts of faecal waste discharged directly to the environment. Forest, soil and wildlife resources are threatened by the high dependence on wood and charcoal (80 percent) for daily household energy needs. With an estimated 3.3 million Sierra Leoneans without access to improved sanitation more so in rural areas where the problem is twice as much , any attempt to mitigate waste disposal and shift energy dependence from the forest to biodegradable wastes is worthwhile. The truth is that human, kitchen and food wastes, scrap papers and animal droppings contribute significantly to environmental pollution, land degradation and the spread of diseases. The use of firewood and charcoal may not be the primary drivers of deforestation elsewhere but it contributes significantly to the destruction of forest and the levels of GHG emission in Sierra Leone. The appalling situation is not helped by the obvious lack of simple, cheap and efficient energy alternatives.

?Waste to Energy: Reducing Energy Poverty and Promoting Sustainable Land Management through ECOSAN Toilets? seeks to complement the national Agenda for Prosperity in the areas of social protection, managing natural resources, accelerating human development and economic diversification to promote inclusive growth. The project is also aligns with the National Environment and Energy Policy and Strategy and will support national capacity by contributing to increased investments in waste management, sanitation and hygiene and a more environmentally friendly form of sanitation, agriculture and energy service.