The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and with support from the European Union, on March 19, 2026, hosted a multi‑stakeholder validation workshop to review and affirm two foundational baseline studies for the LEH GO GREEN (Let’s Go Green) project.

The session brought together government institutions, community leaders, conservation experts, and development partners to ensure the project’s interventions reflect accurate and locally endorsed data.

At the center of the workshop were two major assessments which include the Livelihood Baseline and Mitigation Assessment, which establishes benchmarks for community-based livelihood initiatives and their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Forest Biodiversity Baseline Inventory, a comprehensive catalog of species, habitats, and ecological conditions across Liberia’s Gola and Grebo-Krahn Landscapes.

Hosted at the UNDP Conference Room in Monrovia, the gathering included representatives from the European Union Delegation, FDA, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Agriculture, local authorities, Community Forest Management Bodies, civil society organizations, and implementing partners.

“Accurate data is the bedrock of effective conservation and sustainable development and a commitment to accountability and shared ownership,” said Salimatu Gilayeneh, Inclusive Green Growth Pillar Team Lead at UNDP.

Gilayeneh noted that validating these baseline studies with the people and institutions who know these landscapes best, ensures that interventions are scientifically grounded and rooted in local realities. 

“This strengthens accountability and builds the shared ownership needed for long‑term success,” she added.

The validation process included presentations from lead consultants, group work sessions, and plenary discussions. Participants reviewed methodologies, verified field data, and proposed refinements that will be incorporated into the final reports.

Setting the Stage for Impact

Once finalized, the baseline reports will play a pivotal role in shaping the project’s next steps. They will inform the development of Community Conservation Agreements (CCAs), guide biodiversity conservation planning and establish indicators to track progress in both livelihood enhancement and climate mitigation.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment from all stakeholders to use the validated findings to drive the next phase of the LEH GO GREEN project.

LEH GO GREEN is a three‑year EU‑funded initiative implemented by UNDP and FDA to promote sustainable forest management and strengthen forest‑dependent livelihoods in Liberia’s Gola and Grebo‑Krahn Landscapes—two of the country’s most ecologically important regions within the globally renowned Upper Guinea Forest.

These landscapes hold roughly 43% of the remaining forest cover in this critical ecosystem.

The project supports interventions ranging from agroforestry, climate‑smart agriculture, and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to reduced‑impact logging and innovative livelihood options such as snail and cane rat farming. 

The validated baseline studies will guide evidence‑based planning, implementation, and monitoring of these activities.

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