For many women in Liberia's Grand Cape Mount, Nimba, Lofa, and Grand Gedeh counties, earning a stable income has long been a daily struggle. Small-scale farming, cassava processing, and petty trading provide livelihoods for many households, but limited access to business knowledge, productive resources, financing, and formal markets has prevented women from expanding their enterprises and realizing their full economic potential. These challenges have not only affected household incomes but have also limited women's participation in community leadership and peacebuilding efforts.To address these barriers, Sister Aid Liberia (SALI), with support from the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) through UN Women, implemented the project Enhancing Socio-Economic Recovery and Participation in Peacebuilding Initiatives for Women and Girls in Liberia. The initiative aimed to strengthen women's economic resilience while creating greater opportunities for them to participate as leaders and agents of peace within their communities.One of the women whose life has been transformed through the project is Jenneh Kiazou, head of the Women and Youth for Sustainable Agricultural Development (WYSAD) group in Grand Cape Mount County.Before participating in the project, Jenneh and the members of WYSAD worked hard cultivating cassava and engaging in small business activities, yet they struggled to generate meaningful profits. Like many women's groups across the four counties, they had little knowledge of business planning, pricing strategies, or financial management. Products were often sold without calculating production costs or profit margins, making it difficult to grow their businesses or improve their families' livelihoods.The situation was similar for women from the Sucromu Gari Production and Wolekama groups in Lofa County and other participating groups in Nimba and Grand Gedeh. Despite their determination and strong work ethic, limited capital, inadequate equipment, and a lack of technical business skills restricted their opportunities for sustainable economic growth.Recognizing these challenges, the project delivered practical, hands-on training designed to equip women with the tools they needed to strengthen their enterprises. Participants received training in business plan development, product pricing, basic financial management, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and income-generating strategies. Following the training, women's groups also received in-kind grants to help strengthen their businesses and improve productivity.The project's transparent and inclusive approach, which involved county authorities and community leaders throughout the distribution process, further strengthened beneficiaries' confidence and reinforced community ownership of the initiative.For Jenneh, the training fundamentally changed the way her group approaches business."Before SALI came and trained us, we did not know how to plan our business or properly price our products. We simply sold what we produced without understanding how to make a profit. The training opened our eyes and showed us how to run our activities as real businesswomen."Today, the women of WYSAD are applying their new knowledge to manage their business more strategically. They are keeping financial records, making collective business decisions, planning for future investments, and working together to expand their cassava production and processing activities. The in-kind support they received is expected to significantly increase their processing capacity, creating new opportunities for income generation while contributing to local food production and employment.Beyond the economic gains, the project has strengthened solidarity among women. Members report greater unity, improved collaboration, and increased confidence to engage with community leaders and participate in household and community decision-making. Women who once worked individually are now planning and investing together, creating stronger and more resilient community networks.Looking toward the future, Jenneh is optimistic about what lies ahead."Looking at our Cassava farm and the plans we have for processing and harvesting, we believe this machine will help our group become economically stable, and jobs will be available to support the community within the next few years."Jenneh's journey reflects the broader impact of the WPHF project across Liberia. By combining business skills training with access to productive resources, the initiative has enabled women to build stronger livelihoods while strengthening their voices as community leaders and peacebuilders. As women gain economic independence, they are better positioned to support their families, contribute to local development, and promote peaceful, inclusive communities.The members of WYSAD are now focused on expanding cassava production, strengthening their savings and loan activities, creating additional income-generating opportunities, and mentoring other women to apply the skills they have gained. Their commitment to sound financial management, collaboration, and community engagement demonstrates how investing in women's economic empowerment creates lasting benefits that extend far beyond individual businesses.Through the partnership between SALI, UN Women, and the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund, women like Jenneh are not only transforming their livelihoods—they are helping build stronger more resilient communities where women are recognized as entrepreneurs, leaders, and agents of lasting peace and sustainable development.

– Communities in Porkpa, Tewor and Kungba Districts have taken an important step toward strengthening peace, governance and sustainable development with the endorsement of Community Action Plans (CAPs) developed through an inclusive community engagement process under the GOLA-REAP (Resilience, Empowerment, Access and Peacebuilding) Project. The Community Action Plans were validated following a series of consultations and dialogue sessions held in June and July, bringing together 124 participants, including community leaders, women, youth representatives, traditional authorities, government officials and development partners. The process enabled communities to identify and prioritize key development needs while fostering local ownership of solutions. Implemented jointly by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the GOLA-REAP Project is funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO). The initiative seeks to strengthen resilience, improve access to services, and promote peacebuilding in communities across the Gola landscape. The community engagement process included validation meetings, consultations with local and national government authorities, and community-government dialogues. These discussions provided a platform for citizens to raise concerns related to land and forest governance, environmental protection, the impacts of mining activities, and community participation in decision-making processes. Government representatives pledged to promote stronger consultation mechanisms, enhance transparency and accountability, and improve oversight of natural resource management. Speaking during the validation process, Madam Isatta Massaquoi, Acting District Commissioner of Porkpa District, underscored the significance of the plans for local communities.“For the first time, our communities have a clear roadmap that reflects our own priorities and concerns. The Community Action Plan gives us a shared direction and strengthens our commitment to work together with government and partners to build peace, improve governance, and promote sustainable development in our communities.” Representing the Ministry of Local Government, Hon. William Jallah, Sr., Assistant Minister for Culture and Traditions, commended the active participation of community leaders and residents throughout the process. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, including inadequate road infrastructure and governance issues affecting the mining and forestry sectors, while reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to supporting implementation of actions outlined in the Community Action Plans. As part of efforts to strengthen local capacities, community and local leaders also received training in peacebuilding, conflict management, governance, leadership, accountability and the Local Government Act of 2018. These capacity-building initiatives are intended to support peaceful coexistence, strengthen local governance structures and promote inclusive community development. To help sustain progress and strengthen community accountability, the project established networks of Community Early Warning and Project Monitors. These networks will play a key role in conflict prevention, monitoring project implementation and ensuring that community feedback continues to inform local development efforts. Sheikh Kamara, Executive Director of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, described the Community Action Plans as practical tools for advancing peace, social cohesion and development. He emphasized the importance of community-led approaches and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting implementation and monitoring efforts in collaboration with county and district stakeholders. Moving forward, project partners and government institutions will focus on printing and distributing the finalized plans, strengthening early warning systems, addressing community concerns such as forest boundary disputes, and supporting the implementation of priority actions identified through the consultation process. These efforts are expected to deepen collaboration between citizens and government institutions while contributing to lasting peace, improved governance and sustainable development across the Gola landscape. About GOLA-REAPThe GOLA-REAP Project is jointly implemented by IOM and WFP with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. The initiative supports peacebuilding, resilience and inclusive governance in communities within the Gola landscape, helping strengthen collaboration between institutions and citizens to address local development challenges. 

The Government of Liberia, with support from the United Nations system through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched the development of the country’s first Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP), marking an important step toward strengthening the financing of biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. The initiative was officially unveiled during a high-level inception workshop held at the One UN House in Monrovia. The workshop convened more than 40 representatives from government institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), alongside development partners, civil society organizations, academia, and private-sector stakeholders. The gathering reflected a shared commitment to addressing biodiversity finance challenges through partnership, national ownership, and coordinated action. The Biodiversity Finance Plan is being developed under the Global Environment Facility’s Eighth Replenishment Cycle (GEF-8) Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a global UNDP-led programme that supports countries in identifying financing needs, assessing funding gaps, and developing innovative financial solutions to advance biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Liberia joined the BIOFIN programme in 2024, becoming part of a global network of countries that have collectively mobilized more than US$1.6 billion for biodiversity conservation since 2012. Opening the workshop, Louis Kuukpen, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, underscored the central role biodiversity plays in advancing sustainable development.“Liberia’s rich biodiversity provides immense social, environmental, and economic value, yet investments in its protection remain insufficient. BIOFIN offers a proven methodology to assess biodiversity expenditures, identify financing gaps, and develop innovative solutions aligned with Liberia’s national development priorities and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” Kuukpen said. He emphasized that biodiversity conservation extends beyond environmental protection and is critical to economic growth, food security, climate resilience, and human well-being. He further called for broad stakeholder engagement, stressing that biodiversity finance is a shared development agenda that requires strong partnerships and collective action. Highlighting the importance of sustainable financing for Liberia’s natural resources, Emmanuel Massaquoi, BIOFIN Project Manager, noted that the country’s forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems are central to national prosperity and resilience.“Liberia's forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems are the foundation of our economy, food security, and climate resilience. Yet the financial systems meant to protect them are stretched thin. This Biodiversity Finance Plan will help us identify funding gaps and unlock resources from public, private, and international sources to secure our natural heritage for generations to come.” Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Austin Togbah emphasized the need for innovative and coordinated financing approaches to support Liberia’s biodiversity objectives.“Achieving our biodiversity objectives requires more than sound policies. It demands sustainable, innovative, and well-coordinated financing mechanisms that mobilize public and private resources and deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic returns.” He noted that the Biodiversity Finance Plan presents an opportunity to improve the efficiency of biodiversity expenditures, identify financing gaps, and align investments with national priorities, including Liberia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The initiative also reinforces efforts to integrate environmental and climate considerations into national planning, budgeting, and public financial management systems. Representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency highlighted the plan’s alignment with Liberia’s international biodiversity commitments, particularly Target 19 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for significantly increasing financial resources for biodiversity-related activities. They noted that the Biodiversity Finance Plan will directly support implementation of Liberia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Speaking on behalf of the Forestry Development Authority, Blama S. Goll, Technical Manager of the Liberia Forest Licensing Department, stressed the importance of connecting conservation objectives with sustainable financing solutions.“Nature is our most vital asset, yet protecting it faces a critical funding gap. Today, we are not just talking about conservation; we are shaping the economic frameworks that will secure our ecosystems for the future.” He called for practical and actionable solutions capable of unlocking investment for a nature-positive economy and strengthening the link between environmental goals and financial mechanisms. The workshop adopted a participatory approach, combining technical presentations, plenary discussions, and validation exercises to build consensus around the proposed methodology and implementation roadmap. Participants left with a shared understanding of the Biodiversity Finance Plan’s objectives, agreed roles and responsibilities, and a clear pathway for the next phase of implementation. Valued at US$314,000 over three years (2025-2027), the GEF-8 BIOFIN project will assess biodiversity finance needs, identify funding gaps, and develop practical financing solutions that support Liberia’s national biodiversity priorities. The resulting Biodiversity Finance Plan will serve as a strategic roadmap for mobilizing resources, improving financing efficiency, and advancing Liberia’s transition toward a nature-positive and climate-resilient development pathway. Through initiatives such as BIOFIN, the United Nations continues to support Liberia’s efforts to align biodiversity conservation with sustainable economic growth, climate resilience, and long-term national development objectives, ensuring that natural capital remains a foundation for prosperity and well-being for generations to come. 

Across Liberia, young people affected by drug and substance abuse are reclaiming their lives through rehabilitation, psychosocial support, education, and skills development initiatives supported by the Government of Liberia and the United Nations. Through a joint effort aimed at strengthening social cohesion and empowering marginalized youth, many young people are finding renewed hope and opportunities to build productive futures. One of those young people is Shirley*, a 23-year-old survivor of substance addiction whose journey from hardship to aspiration demonstrates the transformative impact of coordinated investments in youth empowerment and recovery. “Drug and substance use kills dreams and steals young people's future away. It disrupts our ability to acquire quality education and contribute to the development of our communities,” says Shirley. Shirley’s struggle began in 2013 when she was only ten years old. For nearly a decade, she battled addiction, survived on the streets, and frequently visited drug-use hotspots to sustain her habit. During that period, she dropped out of school and experienced homelessness. Despite repeated efforts by her family to help her, she found herself unable to break free from addiction without professional support. “Some days, I felt sad by seeing my peers going to school and I am not going to school. So, I tried to stop substance use but I could not stop it on my own. I needed help,” she recalls. A turning point came in 2022 when Shirley attended an awareness session organized by Mother of Light, a rehabilitation organization that supports young people affected by substance abuse. Through the UN Peacebuilding Fund-supported project implemented with support from UNFPA, the organization provides detoxification services, medical treatment, safe shelter, and leadership and life-skills training for at-risk youth. The initiative supports the Government of Liberia’s efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate vulnerable young people into society. The project forms part of a broader UN-supported approach to addressing the root causes of vulnerability among young people and promoting peace, inclusion, and social cohesion. The programme is supported through the UN Peacebuilding Fund and brings together the expertise of UNFPA, WHO, and UNICEF in partnership with national institutions. After three years in rehabilitation, Shirley graduated from the programme in 2025 and successfully reintegrated into her community. Her experience not only supported her recovery but also inspired her to envision a different future for herself. “Every day I see Grace at the rehab center, I feel like I can be like her… get educated and work to earn my own money to help myself, my family, and my community,” she explains. She also describes the rehabilitation centre as a safe and supportive environment where young women can focus on healing and rebuilding their confidence.“At the Rehab Center, no one takes advantage of you as a young woman, which is important for your physical and mental health, and we are not stigmatized.” Today, Shirley is focused on completing her education and pursuing her long-term ambitions. Having completed her final examinations and sat the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), she is preparing to finish high school while working toward a career that will allow her to contribute to national development. “My immediate plan is to enroll at a teacher's training program to become a primary school teacher, so I can use the earnings from there to fund my college education,” she says. “In the longer term I want to become a journalist to professionally and ethically tell the Liberian people's story.” According to Grace Muenij, UNFPA At-Risk Youth Programme Partner Coordinator, addressing substance abuse requires both rehabilitation and prevention efforts.“Drug and substance abuse is a huge problem hampering the full realization of young people reaching their fullest potential in Liberia. UNFPA’s efforts to support the recovery and rehabilitation of youth affected by drug and substance abuse is reinforced by our efforts to empower youth and communities to prevent drug and substance abuse.” Shirley is now giving back to her community as a volunteer peer educator at Mother of Light, where she shares her experiences with other young people and encourages them to seek support. Through her advocacy, she is helping others understand the dangers of substance abuse while demonstrating that recovery and reintegration are possible. Reflecting on her journey, Shirley hopes society will show greater compassion toward young people experiencing addiction and those working to rebuild their lives.“I pray our society embodies the same degree of kindness and hospitality to every young person battling addiction and those rehabilitated like me.”