ActionAid Liberia Kicks Off Youth AHEAD Project to Empower Young People in Political Processes
The project is benefiting five youth-led organizations
Ahead of Liberia’s 2029 presidential and general elections, ActionAid Liberia has officially launched the Youth AHEAD Project a project which 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 Executive Director of the Radical Young Women Movement Liberia 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.”
“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.
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.
ActionAid Liberia
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.
“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.
ActionAid Liberia