An assessment by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has found that 93% of 2025 county budgets across 11 counties are allocated to development-related activities, signaling a strong commitment to local development. However, the report also reveals that only 44% of these allocations are fully aligned with County Development Agenda (CDA) priorities, highlighting significant gaps between budget spending and locally identified development needs.

The findings, released under Naymote’s Social Accountability Monitoring Project with funding support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), point to both progress and persistent challenges in county development planning, budgeting, and implementation.

The project is helping to transform County Development Agendas from technical documents with limited public access into practical accountability tools that citizens and county councils can use to guide development decisions, monitor public spending, and advocate peacefully for community priorities.

To increase public participation, Naymote simplified the CDAs and distributed them across all 15 counties to citizens, local media, county administrations, county councils, civil society organizations, and academic institutions. This initiative has expanded public access to development priorities and strengthened citizens’ ability to engage in local decision-making processes.

As part of the project, 75 Social Accountability Monitors were trained and deployed across Liberia. During the monitoring period from June 1 to July 31, 2026, 55 monitors successfully engaged county administrations and councils, obtained approved Annual County Development Resolutions, reviewed the implementation status of approved projects, and completed assessments in 11 counties.

Approved resolutions from Maryland, Margibi, Sinoe, and Rivercess counties were not made available by the respective county administrations during the assessment period, limiting the scope of the assessment and preventing full national coverage.

The monitors compared approved 2025 county budget allocations against priorities identified in the CDAs and shared their findings with citizens, local media, and county authorities.

The process has enabled citizens to participate in development discussions using credible evidence, ask informed questions, and advocate for priorities identified through public consultations. 

County councils are also increasingly using the CDAs to guide decision-making, conduct public hearings, and strengthen the alignment of county budgets with citizens’ needs.

The assessment reviewed 374 allocations valued at US$10.3 million across 11 counties. Key findings include:

• 93% of approved county budgets were directed toward development projects and interventions, while 7% supported administrative and operational costs;
• 44.38% of allocations were fully aligned with County Development Agenda (CDA) priorities;
• 20.58% were partially aligned, while 32.35% were not aligned;
• 37.24% of approved funding supported five major citizen priorities: education, health, agriculture, roads, and the rule of law;
• Counties received only 11.4% of the estimated US$90 million required to implement their CDAs, leaving an 88.6% financing gap; and
• Approximately 82% of counties approved their Annual County Development Resolutions during the second half of Fiscal Year 2025, limiting implementation time and contributing to project delays and budget rollovers.

While the allocation of 93% of county budgets to development activities demonstrates a strong commitment to local development, the findings underscore the urgent need to better align investments with priorities identified by citizens through the County Development Agenda process.

The project's theory of change is becoming increasingly evident: county development planning is gradually shifting from a largely closed administrative process toward a more transparent, evidence-based, and citizen-centered approach to decision-making.

In Grand Bassa County, for example, the Social Accountability Monitoring Coordinator formally received the approved County Development Resolution from the County Superintendent.

This represented more than access to a public document; it demonstrated increased institutional openness and a growing recognition of citizens' right to participate in and monitor local development processes.

"The change is not only that citizens can access these documents. They can understand and use them to engage local authorities and advocate public resources to address priorities agreed upon by their communities," said Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.

Commenting on the initiative's impact, Trokon Bryant, Project Manager at UNDP, stated: "I am pleased that this initiative not only strengthens citizen participation in local development but also reinforces UNDP's broader support to governance reforms. By promoting transparency and accountability in county budgeting, the project contributes directly to advancing the rule of law and strengthening efforts to combat corruption”.

Bryant noted that the collaboration with the Government of Liberia, the Anti-Corruption Agency for Internal Development (AAID), and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) helps ensure that county development funds are managed responsibly, aligned with citizen priorities, and safeguarded against misuse.

“I extend sincere appreciation to Naymote for its strong partnership with UNDP and the Peacebuilding Fund in implementing the Social Accountability Monitoring Project. This collaboration is vital to empowering citizens, strengthening responsive governance, and building sustainable peace," he concluded.

About Naymote Partners for Democratic Development

Naymote Partners for Democratic Development is a Liberian civil society organization dedicated to advancing accountable democratic governance, political accountability, civic participation, and inclusive development. 

For Further Information

Naymote Partners for Democratic Development
Monrovia, Liberia

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