RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Background

Research and Advocacy for Sustainable Development (RASD) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, and independent youth-led civil society organisation, founded in 2022 and registered in Sierra Leone in September 2024. RASD dedicates itself to conducting evidence-based research and advocating for individuals and groups to take charge of their development.

Thematic Foci

  1. Environmental Management
  2. Environmental and Climate Justice
  3. Disaster Preparedness and Response

Objectives

To:

  1. Employ participatory, inclusive, and locally driven needs-based research methods to uncover hidden community concerns and innovative approaches to address them.
  2. Use scientific evidence to advocate for the localization of global and national climate change-related policies.
  3. To keep local communities informed and interested in participating in achieving environmental and climate change vulnerability and risk-reduction policy goals.
  4. Support and improve existing community initiatives in the organization’s areas of focus.
  5. Collaborate with local, international, governmental, and non-government institutions to achieve the organization’s objectives in its communities of implementation.

Values

  1. Transparency: Being open and clear about processes, decisions, and the use of resources.
  2. Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and outcomes and being answerable to stakeholders.
  3. Inclusivity: Ensuring diverse community voices are heard and respected, and promoting equality and non-discrimination.
  4. Collaboration: Working together with partners, communities, and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
  5. Empowerment: Enabling individuals and communities to take control of their development and advocate for their rights.
  6. Innovation: Encouraging creativity and new approaches to solve environmental and climate change-related problems.
  7. Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in research, advocacy, and operations.
  8. Sustainability: Promoting practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term viability.

Mission

To make development a product of inclusive local processes that address vulnerabilities and risks to environmental and climate changes.

Vision

Localised and inclusive sustainable development in Sierra Leonean communities and beyond.

Board of Advisors

Mr Alpha Sesay
Lecturer, Institute of Geography and Development Studies, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University.

Mrs Matilda Martha Sellu
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Government of Sierra Leone.

Reverend Daniel TJ Lansana
Proprietor, Fountain of Life Academy, Crossing, Waterloo, Western Area Rural, Sierra Leone.

Meet our Team

Bashiru Turay

Co-Founder and Execuive Director

Mr Turay is an environment and development professional with Joint Master of Science in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security from the University of Bonn and the United Nations University in Germany, and a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Environment and Development from Njala University, Sierra Leone. He has expertise in climate change adaptation and disaster management, environmental and climate justice, loss and damage, geographic information systems (GIS), intersectionality, environmental communication, and early childhood and youth development. Mr Turay has lent his expertise to address complex global problems, working with various institutions in Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, etc.

In his role as Co‑Founder and Executive Director of RASD, he provides overall strategic leadership and organizational direction. He oversees project development, partnerships, and institutional growth.

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Sheku Gbetuwa

Co-Founder and Director of Planning and Development

Mr Gbetuwa is a multidisciplinary researcher and development practitioner with experience in program design, planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation. He has expertise in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, youth and gender empowerment, community development administration, rural livelihoods, human rights, and child protection. He holds an international master’s degree in regional development planning and management from TU Dortmund University and the University of the Philippines Diliman, another master’s degree in development studies, and a bachelor’s degree in development studies, both from Njala University. His passion for sustainable development has enabled him to publish three related academic papers in reputable international journals that are now contributing to global discourse.

At RASD, he leads the design, planning, monitoring, and evaluation processes and supports resource mobilization to ensure that RASD’s interventions are evidence‑based, impactful, and aligned with long‑term development priorities.

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Emelia Sento Dumbuya

Administrative Lead

Mrs Dumbuya is an administrator and professional teacher with a Teacher’s Certificate, a Higher Teacher’s Certificate (Primary), and a Bachelor of Education in Business Studies, Economics, and Accounting. She has interests in training and human capacity development, community-based administration, finance, and development.

As Administrative Lead at RASD, she manages the organization’s internal operations and administrative systems. She ensures efficient documentation, communication, and logistical coordination, enabling project teams to function effectively and supporting the smooth implementation of RASD’s programs and activities.

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Ibrahim Alhaji Jalloh

Environmental Management Lead

Mr Jalloh is a highly skilled environment and development professional with a robust blend of academic excellence and hands-on field experience. He holds a Joint Master of Science in Regional Development Planning and Management, specializing in Territorial Planning and Public Policy, from the Technical University Dortmund, Germany, and the Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil; a Master of Science in Natural Resource Management; and a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Environment and Development from Njala University, Sierra Leone, complemented by prestigious experience in environmental risk management, urban planning, and slum upgrading programs, with a proven ability to design and implement sustainable strategies that balance environmental protection with socioeconomic growth.

In his role as the Environmental Management Lead at RASD, Ibrahim is committed to shaping the organization’s environmental management efforts. His focus remains on waste management and the environmental health risks of informal settlements. Through his research and advocacy, he aims to promote sustainable practices and improve environmental health outcomes in vulnerable communities.

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Musa Sallieu Thullah

Senior Research and Advocacy Officer

Mr Thullah holds a master’s degree in Land Administration and Management and a Bachelor’s degree from Njala University, Sierra Leone, with a focus on land resource use and conflict resolution, GIS, environmental safety and governance, and community development. He has over five years of experience in the non-profit sector, where he led projects promoting economic and social rights, particularly empowering women and youth in Sierra Leone’s southern and eastern regions.

As a Senior Research and Advocacy Officer at RASD, Musa is responsible for conducting in-depth research on socio-economic challenges affecting marginalised communities and contributing to addressing them through proposal writing, resource mobilisation, capacity building, and the development of plans for countering environmental extremes.

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Partners and Memberships

Sustainable Development Goals and Frameworks we align With