Civil society organizations under the Legislative Monitoring Coalition of Liberia (LEMCOL) have signed sub-grant agreements with the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy (NIMD) to advance citizen-driven legislative oversight and reinforce democratic accountability in Liberia. The signing ceremony brought together civil society and media institutions committed to monitoring legislative performance through standardized, evidence-based methodologies.

The initiative is implemented under the Liberia Electoral Support Project, supported by the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden, and managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with NIMD and UN Women. It seeks to promote transparency, participation, inclusion, and accountability as core pillars of democratic governance. 

Speaking at the ceremony, NIMD Country Director Mr. Oscar Bloh highlighted that the legislative monitoring framework is anchored on four key performance indicators—participation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability—using standardized checklists to enable ongoing data collection and analysis. He emphasized that the approach focuses on assessing institutional performance rather than individual lawmakers.

“The purpose of this monitoring is to generate credible data that informs recommendations for improved legislative performance,” Mr. Bloh said, noting that the pilot phase yielded strong results and encouraged the expansion of the partnership with civil society. 

Established in October 2025, LEMCOL comprises 16 civil society organizations and media institutions working collaboratively to enhance democratic governance through systematic legislative monitoring and evidence-based policy advocacy. The coalition operates across three thematic clusters: Participation, led by the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP); Inclusion, led by the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL); and Transparency and Accountability, coordinated by the Institute for Democratic Action and Development (IDAD).

Representing the grant recipients, CEMESP Executive Director Mr. Malcolm Joseph described the partnership as timely and impactful, reaffirming the coalition’s commitment to deepening legislative monitoring and constituency engagement. Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph Cheayan of IDAD emphasized the importance of unified civil society action in promoting transparency and accountability, while Ms. Jeneba M. Vessellie of WONGOSOL underscored the value of collaboration between civil society and the media to strengthen inclusive legislative practices. 

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Liberia Electoral Support Project, Chief Technical Advisor Ms. Katherine Green underscored the significance of the grants in sustaining momentum around legislative oversight. She noted that coalition members have already been actively engaged in monitoring the national budget process through media advocacy, helping to advance open and accountable governance.

Representing the European Union, Mr. Dimitri De Pues, Attaché for Private Sector Development, Financial Instruments and Trade at the EU Delegation to Liberia, stressed that effective oversight depends on integrity, professionalism, and validated methodologies, reaffirming the EU’s continued support for initiatives that strengthen governance and public trust. 

The grant signing marks an important step toward broadening citizen participation in legislative oversight and reinforcing democratic accountability through coordinated civil society action. 

The Liberia Electoral Support Project supports national institutions and processes to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. The project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, NIMD, and the National Elections Commission, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.