UNDP/FAO Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management (CBFM)

Below are key results reported during the period. 1. 80 local community eco-guards (34 women and 46 men) were recruited, trained, and deployed across forest landscapes in three counties (Lofa, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount). These eco-guards are working alongside forest rangers from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to conduct biomonitoring and forest patrols, reporting any illegal activities within their forests. Additionally, regular biomonitoring is being carried out to monitor biodiversity in both forest protected areas and proposed protected areas using ecological tools. 2. To strengthen the Forestry Development Authority's (FDA) capacityy for proper monitoring, they received 25 motorbikes, GPS devices, 15 tablets, rain gear, cameras, and other equipment. This support promotes effective forest and biodiversity monitoring. 3. An agrarian hired by the FAO conducted a System Analysis and Diagnosis on two Forestry Priority Landscapes, resulting in a report to guide livelihood initiatives. Concurrently, 160 smallholder rice farmers formed three groups, planting 7.5 acres of rice using the SRI method for higher yields with fewer inputs. Additionally, 22 farmers planted cocoa and plantain on 2.5 acres in three Lofa County communities. These initiatives are expected to expand to more communities across seven counties in the coming years. 4. Partnership agreements were signed with six national civil society organizations to implement various activities. These partners SCNL, PADEV, IWAL, TNC, FCI, and SDIare supporting the establishment and management of 10 community forests and providing alternative livelihoods for forest-dependent communities across 7 counties. 5. Terms of Reference for a consultant or firm to update and simplify regulatory framework documents were prepared and advertised. The goal is to have two regulatory framework documents updated, simplified, and in use by forest community beneficiaries.

The project seeks to strengthen management of community forests and protected areas in Liberia through improved capacity of community forest management bodies, capacity building of forest regulatory institutions, empowerment of forest and farm producer organizations, and promotion of sustainable livelihood incentives for forest fringe communities. The following are the results that are envisaged at the end of the project: 1. Strengthened institutional and community capacity, and regulatory framework for community forest management 2. Status of key species and their habitat improved due to participatory forest management and biodiversity conservation 3. Livelihood options for communities are made climate-resilient through diversification, enterprise development 4. Knowledge management system built /strengthened to support gender-balanced community forest management and co-management of protected areas.