Flag of Liberia

Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

Filling out voter registration paperwork at a voter's registration center in Central Liberia
Filling out voter registration paperwork at a voter's registration center in Central Liberia
Courtney Babcock/USAID

USAID in Liberia helps build the institutions essential  to consolidating its democratic gains. We support the transparent and accountable management of public resources,  civil service reforms, free and fair elections, the rule of law, domestic resource mobilization, decentralization, stronger civil society organizations, and a more professional media sector.

Effective and Transparent Institutions

We work with the Government of Liberia to improve performance and strengthen public sector management capacity. Using in-depth assessments and performance improvement methodologies, our projects  bolster human and institutional capacity within targeted ministries, agencies, and commissions. We also supports the Government of Liberia’s Public Financial Management Reform Strategy through contributions to the Integrated Public Financial Management Reform Program Multi-donor Trust Fund, while support to civil service reform is provided through the Public Sector Modernization Trust Fund. Our support for Liberia’s decentralization program helps to enhance local government accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.

Rule of Law

To support of the justice and security Pillar of Liberia’s Agenda for Transformation, we support key Liberian legal training and regulatory institutions, strengthening the capacity of legal professionals, the Ministry of Interior, the National Traditional Council, and the Ministry of Justice to improve access to justice.

Civil Society and Media

USAID’s Civil Society and Media programs increase access to independent and reliable information by strengthening civil society organizations and increasing their ability to engage in issues-based reforms.  We also professionalize media houses, promote adherence to jorunalistic standerds/ethics, strengthen the legal environment for free media, and improve the Liberia Information Commission’s responsiveness to requests for information from citizens and media institutions.

Land Governance

We support the Government of Liberia to strengthen its land governance systems through policy and legal reforms and institutional capacity development.  Our programs also promote alternative dispute resolution, and civic engagement with local leaders in five of Liberia’s most conflict-prone counties: Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Margibi and Maryland Counties.

Elections

USAID is committed to helping Liberia build on the democratic progress the country has made over the last decade.  We will continue to help strengthen the capacity of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to plan for and implement credible elections.  Additionally, USAID supports the work of civil society organizations to amplify the NEC’s civic and voter education programs, and to provide oversight of electoral processes and procedures.

Domestic Resource Mobilization

We build the ability of targeted Government of Liberia institutions to improve domestic resource mobilization (DRM) and strengthen taxpayer education and engagement on DRM-related issues, with the aim of building tax morale, increasing voluntary tax compliance, and fostering greater trust between taxpayers and the government.