National Union of Community Forestry Development Committee

20/08/2026

NAMATI Partners with NUCFDCs to Shape Liberia’s Carbon Future

Monrovia, Liberia – August 10, 2026 NAMATI, Inc., a Delaware-based nonprofit and lead organizer of the Grassroots Justice Network, has awarded a grant to the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs) to spearhead community-driven advocacy in Liberia’s emerging carbon governance framework.

The grant agreement, signed by Andrew Y.Y. Zelemen, Head of Secretariat/National Facilitator of NUCFDCs, formalizes a year-long project titled “Shaping National Carbon Legislation.

"The initiative seeks to ensure that Liberia’s forthcoming carbon law explicitly protects community rights, guarantees transparent benefit-sharing, and aligns with land, forestry, and environmental frameworks."

The project will convene regional consultations in Cape Mount, Nimba, and Sinoe, establish Carbon Justice Watch Committees, and host a national dialogue with policymakers, civil society organizations, and government agencies. Advocacy materials—including policy briefs and radio jingles—will amplify grassroots voices, while peer-learning sessions with Grassroots Justice Network members will connect Liberia’s efforts to broader regional movements.

“This grant is a milestone for Liberia’s communities,” said Andrew Y.Y. Zelemen. “It ensures that local voices are not sidelined in shaping carbon legislation. Our people must be at the center of climate governance, with rights and benefits clearly protected.”

NAMATI will disburse the funds in two installments—first installment upon ex*****on of the agreement and final installment following submission of financial and progress reports in March 2027. NUCFDCs will be responsible for implementation, reporting, and compliance with U.S. nonprofit regulations, anti-terrorism laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The project is expected to: Secure explicit recognition of community rights in Liberia’s carbon legislation, establish transparent benefit-sharing and carbon accounting mechanisms, and strengthen alignment between carbon law, land rights, and forestry frameworks and position Liberia as a regional leader in carbon justice and community-driven climate governance.

“Liberia has a unique opportunity to lead the region in carbon justice,” noted a NAMATI representative. “By centering communities in this process, we can build a model of transparency and equity that others will follow.”

This agreement marks a significant step in empowering Liberian communities to shape national climate policy, ensuring that grassroots voices are central to the country’s carbon future.

30/07/2026

NUCFDCs Demand Updates on Community Benefits and FMC D Issuance

Monrovia, Liberia – July 30, 2026 The National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs) has formally requested updates and clarifications from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) regarding outstanding community benefits and forest management processes.

The call comes as stakeholders prepare for the upcoming National Multi-Stakeholder Monitoring Committee (NMSMC) July meeting.

Key Concerns Raised by NUCFDCs

1. Geeblo Logging Operations – FMC I (Sinoe & Grand Gedeh) - NUCFDCs noted that Geeblo Logging has been operating for over four months. Communities are demanding updates from the FDA on the company’s compliance, particularly regarding land rental payments and cubic meter fees.

2. Issuance of FMC D—Communities have been requesting process updates in the issuance of FMC D. NUCFDCs is requesting the FDA to clarify the current stage of the process and provide next steps for completion and how the communities have been involved in the process.

3. Community Share of $100,000 Paid by Euro-Liberia Logging - despite repeated discussions, affected communities have not received their 30% share of the $100,000 paid by Euro-Liberia Logging over 6 months ago. NUCFDCs reminded stakeholders that the transitory agreement stipulates the release of community funds upon the FDA's request to the bank. They are demanding an explanation for the delay.

4. Land Rental Fees Arrears—LRA & MFDP Communities voiced frustration over the LRA’s handling of arrears records and criticized the MFDP for failing to make partial payments while reconciliation is ongoing. NUCFDCs stressed that since the arrears have been classified as domestic debt, the MFDP should begin payments immediately.

Mr. Zelemen, the head of Secretariat of the NUCFDCs said, the recent documents provided by the FDA and LRA Technical Team show that a total of US$45,962,826.10 (include tax waivers) were been paid by FMC and former TSC holders, which indicate that the community 30% amount to US$13,788,847.83. This means the GoL still owed the communities over US$8m. If tax waivers are deducted, the total cash paid by companies (FMC & TSC) is US$37,221,315.80, with community 30% amounting to US$11,166,394.74 with current payments made to community stands at US$5,341,586.76 with an arrears of US$5,824,807.98.
“Our patience is running out. If MFDP recognizes these arrears as domestic debt, then they must start paying now,” said Mr. Zelemen.

The NUCFDCs announced that beginning August 2026, they will intensify engagement with the LRA, MFDP, and FDA to ensure that arrears are fully addressed. The Union warned that if necessary, community members will be mobilized to directly engage these institutions.

15/07/2026

NUCFDC and Liberia Federation of FFPOs Conclude Two-Day Advocacy Workshop

Monrovia, Liberia – July 15, 2026: The National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs), in collaboration with the Liberia Federation Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (LFFFPOs), on Wednesday, July 15, concluded a two-day workshop on “Strengthening FFPOs’ Capacity for Policy Advocacy in Liberia.”

The event brought together over 30 representatives from apex forest and farm producer organizations across Liberia, including participants from community forestry management bodies, cooperatives, and advocacy networks.

During the workshop, participants discussed key national policy frameworks shaping Liberia’s forest and agricultural sectors. These included the Liberia Carbon Development Policy Draft, the National Forestry Reform Law Review Report and Revised Drafting Matrix, and the Liberia National Agriculture Development Agenda (2024–2030). The sessions also focused on advocacy action planning, emphasizing how FFPOs can effectively engage in policy dialogue and influence decision-making processes.

The workshop was supported by the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which continues to strengthen producer organizations’ capacity for inclusive governance and sustainable resource management.

The two-day engagement concluded with the development of an Advocacy Priorities Action Plan and Implementation Roadmap, outlining strategies for FFPOs to collaborate with government institutions, civil society, and development partners in advancing community-led policy advocacy.

Speaking at the closing session, facilitators commended participants for their commitment to building stronger grassroots voices in national policy processes. The roadmap will serve as a guiding tool for coordinated advocacy across Liberia’s forest and farm sectors.

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

NUCFDCs Conclude Two-Day Building Resilience II Training for FFPOs in Salayea, Lofa County.

Salayea District, Lofa County, Liberia—Over the weekend, the National Union of Community Forest Development Committees (NUCFDCs) successfully concluded a two-day Building Resilience II (BR-2) Training for Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs).

The workshop was held under the FAO-Liberia funded Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) Project, implemented by NUCFDCs–Liberia.
The training focused on equipping producer organizations with practical tools to strengthen their structures, improve services to members, and integrate climate resilience into their strategies and activities.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions designed to translate research findings into actionable plans for forest and farm production.

A highlight of the workshop was the exchange between participants from The Gambia and Liberia. The Community Empowerment and Innovation in Agriculture (CEIA) Cooperative Society Inc. provided a lead facilitator, enriching discussions with regional perspectives on climate adaptation and organizational resilience.

Objectives of the training included
Build a basic understanding of global warming and climate change as global phenomena.

Explain the causes and impacts of climate change, and demonstrate how the BR toolkit can guide producer organizations in designing effective responses.

Assess participants’ familiarity with climate concepts and encourage inclusive dialogue.

Strengthen facilitators’ capacity to apply BR-II methodology, ensuring active participation and inclusion.

Generate valuable inputs for the development of new climate projects and adaptation strategies at the organizational level.

The training brought together over 80 participants from nearly seven producer organizations across Lofa County. Collectively, they developed resilience plans tailored to address current climate hazards affecting forest and farm production in Salayea District and beyond. These plans are expected to serve as practical roadmaps for integrating climate-smart approaches into local cooperative and community forestry initiatives.

25/06/2026

Civil Society Organizations and Forest-Dependent Communities Push for Stronger Reforms in Liberia’s Forestry Laws.

Monrovia, June 24, 2026 — The NGO Coalition, comprising over 20 civil society organizations (CSOs) and community representatives working across Liberia’s natural resource sector, actively participated in a national consultative meeting on the review of the National Forestry Reform Law (NFRL) of 2006.

The review process, which also covers the Community Rights Law of 2009 and the Land Rights Act of 2018, has consolidated nationwide consultations into a seven-matrix framework. This framework organizes key concerns and amendment proposals to strengthen community rights, governance, and accountability in the forestry sector.

Representatives of forest-dependent communities and CSOs presented concrete positions, emphasizing to ensuring clarity and inclusiveness in the law, especially FPIC, communities’ rights to manage and benefit from their forests, strengthening local governance structures with gender-sensitive approaches and addressing regulation and community access.

The communities and CSOs are also demanding transparent systems for equitable distribution of forest revenue, where they have proposed 40% of land rental fees from commercial logging be communities share, instead of 30%. They are calling for clarity and a stronger system put in law to address the overlaps of mining in community forest and protect community interests. There should be a clear and implementable system that promote transparency, legality, and due process — embedding accountability standards into the law.

Delegates underscored the importance of recognizing the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC) as the supreme governance body for communities. They argued that the CLDMC should lead in management, advocacy, and representation, ensuring that community voices remain central in decision-making.

CSOs and community representatives requested additional time for further review, a national validation exercise of the draft amendments, and broader feedback-sharing sessions to guarantee inclusivity and legitimacy in the reform process.

The Coalition emphasized that any amendments must uphold:Transparency — timely publication of decisions and financial reports, legality — strict compliance with national laws and cooperative statutes and due process — fair hearing procedures, grievance mechanisms, and appeals systems for community members.

06/06/2026

Liberia Federation of Farm and Forest Producer Organizations (LFFFPOs) Joins Phase II or Building Resilience II (BR-II) Training in Gambia

Tendaba, Gambia – June 5, 2026

The Liberia Federation of Farm and Forest Producer Organizations (LFFFPO) has joined counterparts from across West Africa in Phase II or Building Resilience II (BR-II), a regional training program focused on strengthening climate resilience capacities.

The workshop, which took place from June 2 - 6, 2026 in Gambia, is part of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) initiative led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Agricord, and Open Foris Ground, with technical support from Finland’s Food and Forest Development (FFD).

The training emphasizes Building Resilience II (BR-II), a participatory tool designed to help farmer organizations assess climate risks, map vulnerabilities, and prioritize adaptation activities. Special attention is given to the differentiated needs of women, youth, and marginalized groups, ensuring that resilience strategies are inclusive and community-driven.

Through experiential learning methods, participants engage in practical exercises, reflection sessions, and collaborative planning. This approach equips technicians and representatives of producer organizations with hands-on skills to design climate adaptation and mitigation plans that can be integrated into institutional strategies and funded by public and private partners.

The program sets out three key objectives are capacity building, training technicians and FFPO representatives in applying resilience tools. Risk analysis, assessing climate vulnerabilities in farming territories. And action planning, drafting concept notes for adaptation plans addressing identified hazards.

The workshop brings together representatives from Liberia, Gambia, and other FAO-FFF partner countries, alongside local government officials and allied organizations. By strengthening cross-border collaboration, the initiative aims to create a network of climate-smart producer organizations capable of influencing policy, mobilizing resources, and driving sustainable development.
Climate change poses increasing risks to food security, forest management, and rural livelihoods in West Africa. By equipping producer organizations with resilience-building tools, the FAO-FFF program ensures that smallholder farmers, women’s groups, and indigenous communities are better prepared to adapt to changing conditions while contributing to national and regional development goals.

The Liberia Federation of Farm and Forest Producers Organizations (LFFFPOs) expressed deeper gratitude to the organizers and sponsors for providing this opportunity and promised to adequately utilize the knowledge acquired from the training.

The phase I or BR-I training took place in Liberia from October 19 - 24, 2025, and it was fully attended by members of LFFFPOs and participants from other countries.

07/05/2026

CFDC of FMC A Lofa Dedicates 4-Bedroom Guest House in Beyan Town

Beyan Town, Lofa County – May 7, 2026: The Community Forestry Development Committee (CFDC) of FMC A Lofa has officially dedicated a modern four-bedroom guest house in Beyan Town Community, Lofa County. The project marks a major milestone in community-driven development and stands as a symbol of resilience and accountability.

At the dedicatory program, the CFDC leadership and its project management team expressed heartfelt gratitude to community members, partners, and stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the project. They emphasized that the guest house had once been a failed initiative under previous leadership, but through renewed commitment, transparency, and teamwork, it has now been transformed into a reality.

Representatives of the National Union of CFDCs (NUCFDCs), the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB), and the Salayea District Commissioner all applauded the CFDC for its determination and achievement. They noted that the guest house is not only a physical structure but also a potential source of revenue and empowerment for the people of Beyan Town.

In their remarks, the officials encouraged the citizens to establish a management team and design a sustainability plan that will ensure the facility is properly maintained. They stressed that the guest house should serve as a foundation for generating funds to support other vital community development projects, including the construction of hand pumps, schools, and additional infrastructure.

Community members celebrated the dedication with joy, describing the guest house as a long-awaited asset that will attract visitors, provide accommodation, and strengthen the town’s ability to host programs and events.

The dedication of the Beyan Town Guest House demonstrates the power of collective action and the importance of strong leadership in turning challenges into opportunities. It is a reminder that when communities, local leadership, and national partners work together, sustainable development becomes possible.

10/04/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Tiger Quaqua Miller, Kollie Benedict Karbah, James Kollie, Numine Melvin Siafa