By: Nathaniel Emmanuel Davis–
Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount:
In a major push to secure Liberia’s threatened mangrove ecosystems while empowering thousands of rural citizens, BudgIT Liberia has officially launched the Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project in Robertsport, with strong backing from Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and national authorities.
The initiative, unveiled in a high-profile event on the shores of Lake Piso, is expected to directly impact more than 40,000 residents across 28 communities, blending environmental protection with economic revitalization.
“This project is about more than protecting mangroves; it is about empowering people and securing the future,” said Abraham Varney, Team Lead of BudgIT Liberia.
“When communities prosper, nature prospers. And when nature prospers, we all prosper”, he said.
The Lake Piso Multiple Use Reserve (LPMUR), one of Liberia’s most important ecological landscapes, is home to vast mangrove forests critical for fish spawning, shoreline stability, and carbon sequestration. But decades of unsustainable fishing, fuelwood harvesting, and deforestation have brought the region to the brink of ecological collapse.
Recognizing the twin crises of environmental degradation and rural poverty, BudgIT Liberia has adopted a dual-focus model centered on climate-smart livelihoods and community-led conservation.
At the heart of the project lies the revitalization of the cassava value chain, designed to economically uplift women and youth while reducing dependence on forest resources.
The existing Gari Processing Plant in Teh Community will be rehabilitated with solar-powered, energy-efficient equipment including mechanized graters and hydraulic presses.
This facility according to the group, will serve as a regional hub for processing, packaging, and distribution, directly supporting five surrounding communities: Falie, Mandoe, Bendu, Teh, and Gawula.
More than 500 women and youth will be trained in agribusiness, branding, and marketing, with access to digital trade platforms and trade fairs in Monrovia.
These interventions aim to foster local entrepreneurship and build market linkages beyond the region.
But the launch is not just an economic initiative. As Varney declared, “This is a conservation revolution.” Key environmental actions will include community-friendly translations of conservation laws, joint law enforcement training with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), and the formation of Community Conservation Committees (CCCs) to oversee patrols, conflict resolution, and compliance.
In his keynote address, David Diggs Dennis, GEF Portfolio Technical Advisor at Conservation International and Chief Launcher of the event, emphasized the centrality of local people in achieving lasting conservation.
“Together, we can build a model where communities are the champions of conservation,” Dennis declared.
“Communities are not just stakeholders they are stewards. By placing them at the center of conservation strategies, we ensure long-term success and resilience in the face of climate and biodiversity challenges.”
The group says, education and advocacy which are also central pillars of the project, will witness the launch of student Green Clubs in three schools, engaging over 200 students in conservation-themed activities, environmental debates, and tree planting. A locally produced radio series and documentary film will further amplify community voices and share success stories across the region.
BudgIT Liberia has also revised its implementation strategy to maximize community impact. A budget of $82,555 originally earmarked for new construction has been reallocated to direct interventions, using existing infrastructure and proven grassroots methods.
The sustainability model is underpinned by a community cooperative structure to ensure equitable benefit-sharing, and the transition to solar-powered operations sets a precedent for low-carbon rural development across Liberia.
“This launch is not the end,” said Varney in closing remarks.
“It is the beginning of a new relationship between people and planet.”
