Published: August 1, 2025
Tarr Town, Monrovia — Ahead of Liberia’s 2029 presidential and general elections, ActionAid Liberia has officially launched the Youth AHEAD Project. The project aims at empowering young people and youth-led organizations to actively participate in political processes, demand accountability from leaders, and advocate for inclusive governance.
The project was launched at an inception meeting recently held at ActionAid Liberia’s office in Monrovia, where representatives from beneficiary organizations renewed their commitment to the project’s goals.
The Youth AHEAD Project will directly benefit five youth-led organizations and five social movements, including: Activista Network, Federation of Liberian Youth, the Radical Young Women Movement, Elections Network Liberia, and The Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Speaking during the inception meeting, Norwu Harris, ActionAid Liberia’s Program Coordinator, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the tools necessary to bring about meaningful change.
“This project aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to drive change enabling them to advocate for their inclusion in electoral processes and democratic governance,” Harris stated.
She added, “Youth make up more than half of Liberia’s population. They are often used by politicians to advance political agendas but are rarely involved in decision-making. If young people are empowered with the right skills and knowledge about governance and democracy, they can make informed choices and help educate their peers.”
A key component of the Youth AHEAD Project is increasing young women’s participation in political processes. Women in Liberia continue to be underrepresented in governance, despite being central to democratic change and accountability.
The project will address systemic challenges that hinder youth engagement, including limited access to civic education, lack of leadership opportunities, and traditional norms that marginalize youth voices particularly young women.
The Executive Director of the Radical Young Women Movement Liberia, Humpheretta Reid, expressed gratitude to ActionAid Liberia for including her organization in the initiative.
“We want to say a big thank you to ActionAid Liberia for affording us this opportunity to be part of such a transformative project,” she said. “We are fully committed and will bring our expertise to ensure its successful implementation.”
Dalitso Kuphanga, ActionAid Liberia’s Program Manager, also recognized the support of key government ministries and the women led groups.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Gender for their continuous support. Civil society alone cannot achieve this government collaboration is essential.”
The Youth AHEAD Project will focus on Montserrado and Bong Counties, supporting young people to design and test innovative civic engagement strategies. These efforts will contribute to Liberia’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to inclusive governance and civic participation.
The project seeks to build the leadership capacity of young people and their communities, enhance awareness of civic rights, and increase meaningful youth participation in the country’s democratic processes at local, sub-national, and national levels.
Commitment for the successful implementation of also came from the other selected organizations.
The Youth AHEAD Project aligns seamlessly with ActionAid Liberia’s strategic priorities, particularly under its Democratic Governance and Accountability pillar. By placing young people, especially young women, at the center of civic engagement and democratic transformation, the project supports the creation of Just and Equal Communities, which is a core value in ActionAid Liberia’s Country Strategy Paper III (CSP III).
Moreover, the initiative reflects key elements of the ARREST Agenda (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism) by strengthening the Rule of Law through increased youth awareness of civic rights and democratic processes; promoting Education via civic literacy and political leadership training; and enhancing Accountability by equipping youth and youth-led movements to demand transparency and inclusive governance.
The Youth AHEAD Project also directly contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education; through civic education and leadership capacity building; SDG 5: Gender Equality; by increasing young women’s participation in political processes; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; by targeting systemic barriers to youth inclusion; and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; by fostering inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
As Liberia moves steadily toward the 2029 general elections, the Youth AHEAD Project represents more than just a program; it is a bold and strategic step toward a future where young people are not only seen but heard, not only involved but empowered to lead.
ActionAid Liberia remains deeply committed to supporting youth-led change and amplifying the voices of young women and men across the country. By investing in the leadership of today’s youth, ActionAid Liberia is helping to shape a democracy that is inclusive, accountable, and resilient, a democracy that truly works for everyone.
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