Monrovia, Liberia – The conviction that Liberia’s forests can be conserved without abandoning communities brought together the government, foreign partners, civil society, and forest communities. This conviction became tangible with the official launch of the Community Conservation Agreement (CCA) Guide, a new road map for community-led conservation under the EU-funded LEH GO GREEN (Let’s Go Green) Project, which is managed and executed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
Liberia’s woods, which are among the biologically richest in West Africa, have long been at a turning point. Commercial forestry was supported by a robust contractual framework. However, the rapid growth of conservation forestry was being driven by communities’ desire to preserve their lands for future generations. However, despite the best of intentions, conservation initiatives frequently lacked a precise, uniform structure to direct discussions, execution, and responsibility. An important accomplishment was the release of the CCA Guide after it was approved.
“Community Conservation Agreements are more than just documents. They are a promise for a sustainable future,” Salimatu Gilayeneh Inclusive Green Growth Team Leader at UNDP said.
She reiterated UNDP’s dedication to community-led conservation, putting Liberian communities at the forefront of climate action and conservation. “This new guide provides the roadmap to ensure that promise is kept with clear procedures, shared accountability, and, most importantly, with communities at the center of conservation efforts,” Gilayeneh noted.
Salimatu underlined that UNDP’s larger mission to promote inclusive green growth is reflected in the Community Conservation Agreement (CCA) Guide, guaranteeing that sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation go hand in hand.
“Through the LEH GO GREEN Project, UNDP is supporting Liberia to scale up conservation solutions that are participatory, equitable, and grounded in local ownership. This guide will empower implementing partners, government institutions, and community leaders to work together effectively to protect Liberia’s natural heritage while creating tangible benefits for the people who depend on it,” Gilayeneh added.
In addition to being a technical accomplishment, UNDP pointed out that the guide represents a common commitment to openness, trust, and long-term sustainability especially in the Gola and Grebo-Krahn Landscapes, where people are under increasing economic and climate strain.
“The launch of this guide is a reminder that climate action is strongest when communities lead. It demonstrates what is possible when partnerships are built on dialogue, respect, and a shared vision for a greener, more resilient Liberia,” Gilayeneh emphasized.
There was clearly a demand for such a guide. Through Community Forest Management Agreements (CFMAs), the FDA has given forest management rights to 57 communities within the last ten years. Eleven communities expressed increasing interest in conservation-focused agreements, looking for alternatives that would preserve biodiversity while also providing local benefits, while the majority engaged into commercial logging partnerships.
However, uncertainty remained in the absence of a uniform framework for conservation contracts, which led to uneven negotiations and challenging monitoring. The EU-funded LEH GO GREEN Project aimed to close that gap. Nora G. Bowier, Deputy Managing Director for Conservation, Community, and Carbon, outlined the process that resulted in the creation of the handbook on behalf of FDA Managing Director Rudolph J. Merab.
“For many years, the absence of a structured conservation agreement framework limited legitimate negotiation and effective implementation. That situation persisted until the formation of the EU- funded LEH GO GREEN Project,” she said.
Under this EU-sponsored initiative, communities in the Gola and Grebo-Krahn Landscapes began expressing strong interest in conserving their forests for climate mitigation and sustainable benefit-sharing. At the same time, corporate sector players and conservation organizations expressed willingness to collaborate with the government and local people.
The response was thoughtful and comprehensive. In order to help forest communities engage in talks with confidence and clarity, UNDP and the FDA hired a national consultancy to create both the Community Conservation Agreement Guide and a Negotiation Guide. “These tools will enhance legal clarity, minimize disputes, and ensure fair benefits for forest communities,” Bowier stressed
Instead of coming from a desk, the guide came from conversation. The proposal underwent a thorough review process by FDA conservation specialists and partners, including Conservation International, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), and the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. Its applicability and relevancy improved with each round of comments.
The final guide now provides a transparent, uniform, and collaborative structure that: increases community involvement and ownership, creates transparent monitoring and accountability procedures, and strengthens awareness of the CCA process among all stakeholders. It is a document meant to foster confidence as well as provide guidance for action.
The fundamental idea of the CCA Guide is that communities thrive when conservation does as well. With funding from the European Union, the three-year LEH GO GREEN Project aims to improve livelihoods in the Gola and Grebo-Krahn Landscapes, restore forest ecosystems, and fight climate change.
Despite being globally important hotspots for biodiversity, these regions are under increasing pressure from deforestation, inappropriate land use, and a lack of viable economic opportunities. The new guide guarantees that conserving forests also entails investing in people by coordinating conservation commitments with livelihood opportunities.
“Through this framework,” Bowier emphasized, “we are empowering communities to manage their forests sustainably and reinforcing our commitment to collective stewardship of Liberia’s rich biodiversity.”
Instead of signifying the end, the launch signified the beginning. In the upcoming months, partners will hold community-level sensitization activities to emphazise the benefits of CCAs, and trustworthy monitoring systems will track advancements, lessons learned, and opportunities for growth. The gathering concluded with a cooperative session that embodied the spirit of the occasion shared ownership, shared accountability, and shared hope. Bowier announced the official debut of the guide with an invitation that resonated deeply with the audience.
Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
