Empowering communities and women to advocate for their environmental and land rights through training on Liberian laws, documentation of violations, and formation of advocacy committees
Promoting forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation strategies, including community monitoring, mercury-free alternatives, and resilient agriculture.
Building capacity in young people through Climate Justice Hubs, ambassador training, and peer-led initiatives to drive grassroots change and intergenerational stewardship.
Agroecology for Resilient Livelihoods in Mining-Affected Communities
Our agroecological farming project is a vital intervention for frontline populations in Bong County who are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. These communities face severe suffering due to the legacy of the extractive industry, which has left their essential soils, lands, and water resources significantly damaged.
Guided by our commitment to climate justice, we are working in partnership with Friends of Liberia to restore and rehabilitate these spoiled lands, transforming degraded areas back into productive spaces for food security. We are introducing modern, climate-smart agricultural practices and ecological restoration techniques to empower local families to adapt to environmental shifts and grow sufficient, nutritious food. Currently focused on two key communities, this initiative provides the legal and technical empowerment necessary to turn land damage into resilient, self-sustaining livelihoods.
From Land Preparation to New Possibilities
Farmers are transforming cleared land into productive farms through sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
Farmers Taking Action
Community members are actively preparing their farms and building a stronger foundation for sustainable livelihoods.
Women at the Center of Climate Resilience
YALL is prioritizing women and vulnerable households in the transition toward resilient and sustainable livelihoods.
Growing Food, Restoring Hope
Agroecology provides an alternative pathway for communities affected by environmental degradation and loss of farmland.
Planting the Future
The two community farms have been cleared and farmers have begun planting crops for food security and income.
Agroecology for Resilient Livelihoods
Growing Resilience: Empowering Farmers Through Agroecological Agriculture
With support from Friends of Liberia, Youth Action Lead Liberia (YALL) is working with smallholder farmers to restore productive livelihoods, strengthen food security, empower women, and build communities that can withstand the growing impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
2
Community Demonstration Farms
60+
Farmers & Community Beneficiaries
60%
Women Beneficiaries
Community
Led Agricultural Action
Why This Project Matters
Across rural Liberia, climate change, environmental degradation, land loss, changing weather patterns, and limited economic opportunities are making it increasingly difficult for smallholder farmers to maintain stable livelihoods.
For communities affected by harmful and unsustainable mining activities, the challenge is even greater. Farmers can lose access to productive farmland while families struggle with food insecurity, declining household income, and limited opportunities to rebuild their livelihoods.
YALL believes that communities should not be left without alternatives. Our agroecological farming initiative is designed to help farmers rebuild their livelihoods through practical, locally appropriate, environmentally responsible agriculture.
With support from Friends of Liberia, YALL is supporting farmers to establish community demonstration farms, strengthen agricultural knowledge, promote sustainable production practices, and create pathways toward greater household economic independence.
From Clearing the Land to Planting the Future
The work is already moving from planning into action. Farmers have worked together to clear and prepare the two community farms. Following the land preparation, farmers have now begun planting their crops.
This progress represents more than the establishment of two farms. It demonstrates what is possible when communities are given the opportunity, knowledge, and support to take ownership of their economic future.
Every cleared field and every planted crop represents a step toward rebuilding productive livelihoods, improving household food security, and creating an agricultural system that is more resilient to climate and environmental pressures.
Putting Women at the Center of Climate Resilience
Women are at the heart of this initiative.
Rural women often carry a disproportionate burden of climate change and environmental degradation. They are frequently responsible for food production, household nutrition, caregiving, and income generation while having fewer resources and fewer opportunities to access land, finance, technology, and decision-making spaces.
YALL is therefore intentionally prioritizing women farmers and vulnerable households. We want women not simply to participate in farming activities, but to become leaders, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and owners of sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Our vision is to see women farmers increase their productive capacity, earn income from agriculture, participate in savings and entrepreneurship activities, and have greater control over the economic resources generated by their work.
Our Approach to Agroecological Farming
YALL promotes agroecology because we believe farming must protect both people and the environment. The project encourages farmers to use sustainable practices that improve soil health, protect natural resources, strengthen biodiversity, and reduce dependence on environmentally harmful practices.
Our work goes beyond planting crops. We are building knowledge, leadership, cooperation, entrepreneurship, and community ownership around agriculture.
- Community-led farm planning and land preparation.
- Training farmers in sustainable agricultural practices.
- Promoting soil conservation and environmentally responsible farming.
- Supporting women and vulnerable households as priority beneficiaries.
- Encouraging savings, entrepreneurship, and financial planning.
- Strengthening farmer cooperation and collective action.
- Promoting food security and household income generation.
- Creating demonstration farms that can serve as learning sites for other farmers.
From Farming to Economic Empowerment
The ultimate goal is not simply to produce crops. Our goal is to create a pathway from agriculture to economic empowerment.
YALL wants participating farmers to move from vulnerable, environmentally affected livelihoods toward stronger and more diversified household economies. Increased agricultural production can provide food for families while creating surplus crops that can be sold to generate income.
Increased Production
Farmers will strengthen their capacity to produce nutritious food using sustainable agricultural practices.
Increased Household Income
Surplus agricultural production can create opportunities for farmers to generate income and improve household financial stability.
Women's Economic Leadership
Women will be supported to take stronger leadership roles in farming, savings, entrepreneurship, and community decision-making.
Stronger Farmer Groups
Collective action can improve learning, savings, market access, and the long-term sustainability of community farms.
Our Vision for the Project
We envision rural communities where farmers are able to produce food sustainably, women have meaningful control over economic opportunities, young people see agriculture as a viable livelihood, and families are better prepared to withstand climate and environmental shocks.
We want these farms to become more than places where crops are planted. We want them to become community learning spaces, demonstration sites, sources of income, and symbols of what community-led climate resilience can look like.
Ultimately, YALL wants to see farmers move from vulnerability to opportunity — from lost or degraded livelihoods toward sustainable agricultural enterprises that can support families, strengthen communities, and create a foundation for long-term economic empowerment.
Our Journey Forward
1
Prepare
Farmers organize and prepare community land.
2
Plant
Farmers plant crops using sustainable practices.
3
Learn
Farmers strengthen their knowledge and skills.
4
Produce
Communities increase food and agricultural production.
5
Earn
Farmers generate income and strengthen livelihoods.
6
Scale
Successful practices reach more farmers and communities.
YALL's Commitment Beyond This Project
For Youth Action Lead Liberia, this project is part of a broader commitment to helping communities develop practical alternatives to environmentally destructive and economically unsustainable livelihoods.
We will continue working with farmers, women, youth, community leaders, local institutions, and partners to strengthen sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. We want to expand opportunities for farmers to access knowledge, markets, savings mechanisms, entrepreneurship support, and additional productive resources.
We also believe that the lessons generated through these farms should not remain within the participating communities. Successful approaches will be documented, shared, and used to encourage other communities facing similar challenges to explore sustainable agricultural alternatives.
Our long-term ambition is to contribute to a Liberia where vulnerable communities can respond to climate change not only by surviving its impacts, but by building stronger, more sustainable, and more economically independent futures.
Planting Today. Building Resilience for Tomorrow.
The work has begun. The land has been cleared. The crops are being planted. But the bigger harvest we are working toward is resilience, dignity, food security, and economic opportunity for rural families — especially women who are carrying some of the greatest burdens of the climate crisis.
YALL will continue to stand with these farmers as they transform their land, strengthen their livelihoods, and build a more resilient future for their communities.
Learn More About YALL
Community Voices Rising for Climate Justice in David Dean Town
We believe that real change begins when communities understand their rights and have the confidence to demand accountability. Our recent Legal Empowerment Training held in David Dean Town, Bong County, was a powerful reminder that communities affected by mining and environmental injustice are ready to lead the fight for climate justice and sustainable development.
This testimony video captures the voices, emotions, and commitment of community members who participated in the training. Participants expressed excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to learn about their environmental rights, community participation, and ways to peacefully engage policymakers and decision-makers. Many shared that, for the first time, they fully understood the importance of holding leaders and companies accountable for decisions that affect their land, environment, and livelihoods.
The training focused on empowering mining-affected communities with knowledge about legal rights, environmental protection, advocacy strategies, and citizen engagement. Through interactive discussions and practical learning sessions, participants explored how communities can organize, speak with one voice, and advocate for responsible mining practices and climate-resilient development.
One participant explained that the training has inspired community members to become more active in protecting their environment and ensuring that policymakers listen to the concerns of ordinary citizens. Others committed themselves to sharing the knowledge with fellow residents and using peaceful advocacy to demand transparency, fairness, and sustainable community development.
CLIMATE CHANGE & MITIGATION ADVOCACY
We go beyond raising awareness—YALL actively shapes national policy by engaging with government bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our advocacy integrates climate justice principles into Liberia’s laws, ensuring that the real voices and needs of grassroots communities guide environmental decision-making.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP & CAPACITY BUILDING
At the center of our mission, we nurture young changemakers. Through Climate Justice Hubs in high schools, our trainings and ambassador network empower students to lead clean-ups, organize awareness campaigns, and champion climate action within their schools and beyond.
SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT & BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Protecting Liberia’s forests means protecting our future. YALL trains local committees to become community watchdogs: monitoring forest health, reporting illegal logging, and leading tree planting and conservation efforts, all while respecting local livelihoods and traditions.
WOMEN'S LAND RIGHTS & COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Women are essential to sustainable land use. YALL ensures women have a seat at decision-making tables, providing targeted training, fostering economic empowerment, and amplifying their voices in land governance and advocacy networks.
COMMUNITY CLIMATE JUSTICE LEGAL EMPOWERMENT
Our flagship initiative. We deliver intensive workshops in mining-affected regions, equipping over 5,000 residents to defend their rights with the law. Communities form their own “Climate Legal Advocacy Committees” to document violations, demand accountability, and take charge of their environment.
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL ADVOCACY
We empower marginalized communities to become their own best advocates under international and Liberian law. Residents learn to document environmental violations, engage in policy dialogue, and secure justice for environmental harm—bridging the gap between government action and community needs.
Our Strategic Approach
Aligning community wisdom with legal power to create a resilient Liberia.
⚖️
Legal Empowerment
We train communities to use environmental laws to protect their land and health from industrial harm.
📣
Youth Mobilization
Our Climate Ambassadors lead the way in schools, turning awareness into local policy action.
🌳
Practical Alternatives
Promoting safe mining and green businesses so that economic growth never costs us our environment.
```html
```
Our Partners
What Communities Are Saying
Voices from the ground, driving real change
"Before joining the Climate Justice Hub, I only heard about climate change on the radio but didn’t understand how it affected my life. Through the training, I learned about climate justice and my rights under the law. Now, I lead clean-up drives in my school and talk to my classmates about waste management. I feel proud that my voice matters, and I am part of a movement that is protecting our future."
Evelyn M. Kerkulah
CJH Ambassador – William R. Tolbert High School
"Becoming a Climate Ambassador changed how I see myself. I used to think students couldn’t influence big issues like mining or pollution. But after the quiz tournament and legal empowerment training, I realized knowledge is power. I now organize awareness sessions in my community, and even my parents listen when I explain environmental rights. It feels like we are building something bigger than ourselves."
Mantein S. Vulu Jr.
CJH Ambassador – N. V. Massaquoi High School
"Mining has destroyed our streams, and we felt helpless for years. When YALL came with the legal empowerment workshop, I learned that we have rights under Liberian law. Together, we formed an Advocacy Committee, and now we meet regularly to document violations. For the first time, I believe we can hold those responsible accountable. It is no longer just complaints; we are taking action."
Community Participant
Yowee Town
"Before, we thought the government would never listen to us. But through the workshops, we learned how to use legal tools and collective action. Our Advocacy Committee has already started writing complaints about illegal mining. I feel proud that our voices are being heard. We are no longer victims; we are defenders of our land.”
Community Member
Victoria Gbailai, Gbankoneh Town
"I joined the training because I wanted to understand why our farms were failing. The facilitators explained how unsafe mining practices affect soil and water. We learned mercury-free alternatives and how to report violations. I am now part of the Advocacy Committee, and we are planning to meet with the EPA. I feel empowered to protect my children’s future."
Elizabeth Beadeh
David Dean Town
I used to believe mining was only for survival, even if it destroyed our rivers. But the training showed us safer ways and gave us confidence to demand better practices. Now, I talk to other miners about mercury-free techniques. It is not easy, but I see hope that we can mine responsibly and still feed our families
Mr. David G. Cooper
"When the workshop came to our town, I was skeptical. I thought nothing could change. But after learning about our environmental rights and joining the Advocacy Committee, I feel different. We are united, and we know how to document violations. The EPA is now working with us, and I believe our community can finally protect our water and land. This is the first time I feel we have real power."