UN Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) launch Projects to support National Efforts on Peace and Development

The UN Resident Coordinator, Christine Umutoni, has formally launched the UN Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) projects - designed and programmed under Liberia’s Five Years (2022-2027) PBF Strategic Results Framework covering four projects.  The launch occurred today, at the Kofi Annan Conference Hall, One UN House. 

The initial investment targets land management through conflict prevention; fostering social accountability and transparency in governance and public service and empowerment of disadvantaged youth. The formal launch will also consider PBF 2023 approved Youth Promotion Initiative (YPI) project which was attained through a global competitive call.

Between 26-31 March 2023, the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) fielded a mission that engaged partners (UN agencies, donors, government, CSOs/NGOs) in Monrovia to examine implementation of existing PBF projects. These consultations informed the mission’s support through workshops to design the PBF SRF project package as well as strengthen implementation for results for ongoing projects. 

The partners participated and helped to direct stakeholder design in line with PBF project quality criteria. The mission also held an informal preparatory session with UN agencies and CSOs ahead of the YPI 2023 Call for proposals, which led to Liberia qualifying to receive $2 million youth project listed for the formal launch. 

Projects for this launch include: Enhancing peace and social cohesion through the promotion of equitable access to and use of land for rural women in conflict-prone communities and concession areas - Nov 2023  to Nov 2026 ; Enhancing Social Cohesion through Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Marginalized Youth in Liberia (At Risk Youth) Sept 2023 -Sept 2026 ; Empowering Citizens and Community to foster social accountability and transparency in governance and public service - Oct 2023- Oct 2026 and the Accelerating Digital Opportunities for Youth Civic Participation as a lever for Building and Sustaining Peace in Liberia (YPI)  Jan 2024- Jan 2026. 

The UN Resident Coordinator, at the event, called on partners to work with synergy and joint approaches. She stated, "when we work with joint approaches, we can see maximum impact for our beneficiaries".