USAID is helping build the institutions and processes essential to consolidating Liberia’s democratic gains by providing support for transparent and accountable management of public resources at the national and local levels, domestic resource    mobilization, and active and engaged citizenry, strong civil society and media organizations, and targeted peacebuilding efforts. 

GOOD GOVERNANCE

USAID works with the Government of Liberia to strengthen its capacity and commitment to deliver quality public services to all its citizens.  This includes support to reduce corruption and increase domestic revenue through the formulation of transparent, predictable, and fair revenue policies that are implemented effectively and efficiently.  A key part of improving government performance is enhancing budget transparency and engaging citizens in budget and resource mobilization processes at national and subnational levels.  At the local level, USAID is supporting implementation of the 2018 Local Government Act by providing grants, training, technical assistance, and targeted coaching to county and city government and civil society partners to be more capable, transparent, and responsive to citizens.

ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL PROCESSES

USAID supports peaceful and transparent elections and political processes through the development of civil society election stakeholders and the National Elections Commission, in addition to Embassy and international efforts to monitor the 2023 Presidential and general election, marking continued progress toward Liberia’s capacity to carry out electoral processes independently and fairly.  USAID programs are helping to foster a new generation of Liberian leaders, with a focus on women and youth, and encouraging an active citizenry to vote and engage in public discourse to influence public policies and decision-making.  USAID programs specifically promote women’s political participation both as voters and as candidates. 

CIVIL SOCIETY AND MEDIA

USAID’s civil society and media programs are focused on increasing access to independent and reliable information by strengthening civil society organizations and increasing their ability to partner with the government in local development and effectively advocate for reforms.  USAID support has helped civil society organizations successfully advocate for an increase in the national budget allocation for education and for reforms that bring transparency and accountability to the management of county development resources (County Social Development Funds).  USAID is also working to professionalize media houses, promote adherence to journalistic standards and ethics, strengthen the legal environment for free media, and enhance in-depth reporting on challenges to Liberia’s development.

CONFLICT PREVENTION AND PEACEBUILDING

USAID’s conflict prevention programming aims to cement Liberians’ hard-won gains in peace and stability.  USAID is supporting individuals and communities still dealing with the aftermath of the country’s brutal civil wars to resolve long-standing disputes peacefully, and to prevent the outbreak of violence.  Central to these efforts is enhancing constructive engagement across individuals, communities, and ethnic groups, and building trust between citizens and their elected and traditional leaders.  USAID programs help build local capacity for reconciliation, especially among women and youth, strengthen social cohesion, improve indigenous Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, and enhance citizens’ ability to meaningfully participate in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

LAND GOVERNANCE

USAID is working with the Government of Liberia and local communities to strengthen land governance systems through institutional and civil society capacity development.  USAID is supporting implementation of the 2018 Land Rights Act, which provides formal recognition of customary tenure to strengthen land access and use rights for local communities.  Improving women’s land tenure and their role in decision-making over communal land is a particular focus of USAID programming.  USAID’s land governance program also aims to strengthen local capacity to sustainably manage communal land and to peacefully resolve land disputes within and between communities.