The country has made significant democratic strides since its 14 years civil war ended in 2003. However, Liberia still faces significant challenges to stamp out corruption and ensure equitable distribution of national wealth.

Liberia has an estimated population of 5.2 million inhabitants, hosts about 40% of the Upper Guinea rainforest and vast natural resources. Perennial challenge with corruption and the uneven distribution of the national wealth keeps most Liberians in poverty. The existing civic space is appreciable, but threats against defenders of human rights and civil society actors have been documented. Widespread proliferations of media institutions (radio, television, etc.) are compounded ownership by politicians. Potential establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, proliferations and use of narcotic substance are potential challenges that could shape the development dynamics in Liberia.

Examples of what ForumCiv contributes to

In Liberia, ForumCiv is strengthening the independence and technical capacities of rural-based civil society organizations by ensuring that they develop relevant capacities in governance, fundraising, financial management and other technical areas. Our programme thematic cover Democracy and Human Rights, Gender Equality and Equity, Climate justice, and Land Rights. We also empower rightsholders to hold their duty bearers accountable and our programme  

Our support has enhanced organizational development across our partners and enhanced their access to funding. Rural communities including women have gained their voices and push for accountability and transparency have also elevated due to the work of pur partners and communities that benefit from our works.

Rural Women Land Rights Conference 2021
The Rural Women Land Rights Conference brought together over 250 participants in November 2021.
Rural Women Land Rights Conference 2022
The 3rd Rural Women Land Rights Conference brought together over seventy participants. It was held in Buchanan Grand.

ForumCiv's work in Liberia

ForumCiv began direct implementation of Liberia in 2018 following a request from the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia. The request emanates from Sweden’s desire to support the fledging civil society and marginalized communities in the rural communities of Liberia. We achieve these goals through development cooperation, project funding, advocacy, and capacity development.

Sweden provides over 90% of our current funding base while the remaining contribution is drawn from the European Union through a consortium that is led by ActionAid

In Liberia, ForumCiv has disbused 50 grants to civil society organizations across Bomi, Bong, and Grand Gedeh Counties. These grants target projects Democracy and Human Rights, Gender Eqaulity and Equity, Climate Justice, and Land Rights. The grants strengthen the institutional capacities of our partners, and they empower marginalized communities to claim their rights.

Our ongoing projects in Liberia

Our Land Programme

This programme will increase access and ownership of land by women and youth. It will also promote and strengthen the participation of the target group in the management and the governance of land.

Securing Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities in South-Eastern Liberia

Under this project, ForumCiv is increasing awareness about rights-based programming through our Right(s) Way Forward Methodology, and we are contributing to policy reviews and advocacy.

We want to ensure that we contribute to the realization of a Liberia that works for everyone, and this is only possible with the existence of independent and strong civil society.

Asa Chon, ForumCiv country manager

Contact details to our office

Telephone: +231 (0) 770375026
E-mail: info.liberia@forumciv.org

Office address: LPMC Road, Gbarnga

We run field offices in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Greenville, Sinoe County, and Fish Town, River Gee County. We run a satellite office in Monrovia for coordination purposes, and our country office is situated in Gbarnga, Bong County.

Key documents and links

Report for the 2nd Rural Women Land Rights Conference 2021
This report is a summary of activities captured during the 2nd Rural Women Land Rights Conference organized by ForumCiv with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), held in Ganta, Nimba County from November 23 - 24, 2021 under the theme “Sustaining the Momentum to Secure Rural Women Land Rights”

 

Report for Bong County Social Development Funds Accountability Project
This Report highlights the objective of the project, methodology of the research and evaluation used, field findings, conclusion, recommendations, and the engineer’s analysis of projects as an annex. The project was implemented between September and December 2021.