Youth AHEAD Project Strengthens Youth Civic Participation as Bong Town Halls Promote Peace and Democratic Engagement Ahead of 2029 Elections

In Bong County, community voices came together in Kokoyah Road and Chief Compound as youth-led town hall meetings reached a powerful climax focused on peacebuilding and civic participation.

The dialogues brought together 44 residents in Chief Compound and 50 residents in Kokoyah Roadmany of them young people eager to understand their role in shaping peaceful elections and stronger communities.

What began as a community conversation quickly turned into a shared reflection. Participants opened up about real-life experiences with election-related tensions and explored practical ways to prevent violence before, during, and after elections. The discussions emphasized that peace is not passive it requires awareness, responsibility, and active citizen engagement.

Beyond the meeting halls, young participants carried the message further into local markets, engaging traders especially women on the importance of informed participation in elections and the power of their voices in democratic processes.

A key highlight of the dialogue was the reminder that citizens are not just voters, but accountability partners. Community members were encouraged to ask questions, engage candidates on their manifestos, and actively participate in community dialogues that shape leadership decisions.

By the end of the sessions, residents left with a stronger understanding of their rights and responsibilities committed to promoting peace, strengthening democracy, and holding leaders accountable through constructive engagement. 

About the Youth AHEAD Project & Town Hall Engagments

The Youth AHEAD Project is enhancing the participation and leadership of young people in Liberia’s democratic and governance processes by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and platforms needed to influence decision-making and hold leaders accountable.

The project aims to strengthen youth-led movements, networks, and communities to actively engage in democratic participation, voter education, and civic accountability at local, national, and regional levels. It also promotes innovative youth-driven platforms that amplify young people’s voices in governance and electoral processes, including preparations toward Liberia’s 2029 general and presidential elections.

Implemented in collaboration with youth-led organizations such as the Federation of Liberia Youth, Activista Liberia, the Radical Young Women Movement, and Election Network Liberia, the initiative is currently active in Montserrado and Bong Counties. It targets both Monrovia and Gbarnga City as key engagement hubs where young people are creating and testing new approaches to civic participation and democratic dialogue.

At its core, the project seeks to directly strengthen the capacity of 1,000 young people while reaching an estimated 50,000 others through civic education campaigns across radio, social media, webinars, and community outreach. It also focuses on addressing barriers that limit youth, especially young women, from fully participating in governance such as limited civic education, restricted leadership opportunities, and entrenched social norms.

Against this backdrop, Bong County recently witnessed a series of impactful youth-led town hall meetings in Kokoyah Road and Chief Compound communities under the Youth AHEAD initiative.

The engagements marked a climax of community dialogue efforts aimed at strengthening peacebuilding and civic responsibility. The sessions brought together 44 residents in Chief Compound and 50 residents in Kokoyah Road, with a strong presence of young people actively participating in discussions on democracy and electoral peace.

Participants reflected on real-life experiences of election-related tensions and jointly explored practical solutions to prevent violence before, during, and after elections. The dialogues reinforced the message that sustaining peace requires informed, responsible, and active citizenship.

Beyond the formal discussions, young participants extended civic education into surrounding public markets, engaging traders particularly women on the importance of informed participation in elections and the value of their voices in democratic processes.

A key outcome of the engagement was the emphasis on citizens as accountability partners in governance. Community members were encouraged to actively engage candidates, ask critical questions about their manifestos, and participate in community dialogues that influence leadership decisions.

Residents also received civic education on their constitutional rights to hold leaders accountable and to participate meaningfully in democratic processes.

By the end of the sessions, participants expressed renewed commitment to peacebuilding, democratic participation, and responsible citizenship underscoring the growing impact of youth-led initiatives in strengthening governance and civic awareness in Liberia.