Monrovia, Liberia – In order to review and validate two foundational baseline studies for the LEH GO GREEN (Let’s Go Green) project, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and with assistance from the European Union, organised a multi-stakeholder validation workshop on March 19, 2026.
To guarantee that the project’s operations are founded on precise and locally authorized data, the conference gathered together government agencies, community leaders, conservation experts, and development partners.
The Livelihood Baseline and Mitigation Assessment, which sets standards for community-based livelihood projects and their potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and the Forest Biodiversity Baseline Inventory, a thorough list of species, habitats, and ecological conditions throughout Liberia’s Gola and Grebo-Krahn Landscapes, were the two main assessments that took center stage in the workshop.
Representatives from the European Union Delegation, the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Agriculture, local authorities, Community Forest Management Bodies, civil society organisations, and implementing partners attended the event, which was held at the UNDP Conference Room in Monrovia.
“Accurate data is the bedrock of effective conservation and sustainable development and a commitment to accountability and shared ownership,” said Salimatu Gilayeneh, Inclusive Green Growth Pillar Team Lead at UNDP.
According to Gilayeneh, confirming these baseline investigations with the individuals and organizations that are most familiar with these environments guarantees that treatments are based on local reality and scientific principles. “This strengthens accountability and builds the shared ownership needed for long term success,” she added.
The validation process included presentations from lead consultants, group work sessions, and plenary discussions. Participants reviewed methodologies, verified field data, and proposed refinements that will be incorporated into the final reports.
The baseline reports, once completed, will be crucial in determining the project’s future course. They will direct the creation of Community Conservation Agreements (CCAs), direct the planning of biodiversity conservation, and set up metrics to monitor advancements in both climate mitigation and livelihood improvement.
At the end of the session, all participants agreed to use the verified results to inform the next stage of the LEH GO GREEN project.
LEH GO GREEN is a three year EU funded initiative implemented by UNDP and FDA to promote sustainable forest management and strengthen forest dependent livelihoods in Liberia’s Gola and Grebo Krahn Landscapes—two of the country’s most ecologically important regions within the globally renowned Upper Guinea Forest.
About 43% of the remaining forest cover in this vital ecosystem is found in these settings. Agroforestry, climate wise agriculture, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), reduced impact logging, and creative livelihood possibilities like cane rat and snail farming are just a few of the initiatives that the project supports. Evidence-based planning, execution, and oversight of these initiatives will be guided by the validated baseline studies.
Reported by: Naneka A. Hoffman
