USAID Conservation Works (CW)

Project Summary

The Conservation Works (CW) activity aimed to conserve biodiversity while increasing sustainable economic growth in Liberia. Implementation centred on five strategic objectives:

• SO 1: Area under improved conservation status increased
• SO 2: Protection and management of target proposed and existing protected and conserved areas improved
• SO 3: Prosperity and prospects for communities living around target proposed and existing protected and conserved areas increased
• SO 4: Sustainable economic growth through conservation-compatible investment increased
• SO 5: Integration of protected and conserved areas within One Health policy, planning and prioritisation in Liberia advanced

PADEV Role

PADEV was responsible for SO3: Prosperity and Prospects for Communities Living Around Target Proposed and Existing Protected and Conserved Areas Increased.

Project Outputs under PADEV

IR 3.1 Productive capacity and market access strengthened

• Conducted a socioeconomic and livelihood assessment to understand community context and the socioeconomic status of individuals living in target landscapes.
• Worked with farmers around proposed protected areas in the Southeast to create 8 seed gardens and build capacity in conservation-compatible agriculture. The seed gardens are multiplication sites that give farmers consistent access to planting materials.
• Trained over 100 cassava growers on value addition to cassava products, covering food safety and handling, packaging, marketing and recordkeeping, including super gari, odorless fufu, high-quality cassava flour, cassava chips, cassava starch, attieke and fufu powder.
• Distributed 3 sets of large cassava processing mills and accessories to the communities and facilitated the formation of cooperatives. Each group was provided with utensils, packaging materials, food safety items and maintenance tools for the mills.

IR 3.2 Access to capital and financial services for local communities improved

• 20 VSLAs established across target landscapes, with memberships ranging from 25 to 30 individuals each.

IR 3.3 Conservation and green enterprises strengthened

• 391 individuals from 31 communities across southeast Liberia trained in sustainable beekeeping.
• Start-up kits including beehives, smokers, harvesting knives, bee suits, containers, honey extractors, filters, spoons, wax and buckets distributed.
• 16 entrepreneurs trained to produce environmentally friendly beehives to supply beekeepers and increase their stocks.

IR 2.3 Improved national, sub-national and community level appreciation of sustainable resource management and conservation

• Three matrix for change workshops to inform the development of the project communication strategy.
• Three community-based theatre troupes trained to perform local dances, traditional folklore and live skits incorporating messages about conservation.
• Awareness raised across project communities.
• Peer-to-peer community outreaches conducted with consortium partners and the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY).

Cross-cutting theme: gender

• Trained staff on the important role women play in sustainable forest management, covering social inclusion, the role of men and women in development programmes and gender mainstreaming.
• A Gender and Social Inclusion officer was hired to promote inclusion and integrate gender in all project activities.

Project Geography

Five counties: Margibi (Marshall Wetlands), River Cess, Grand Kru, Sinoe and River Gee.