EPA, UNDP to Launch Climate Resilience and Livelihood Adaptation Project | News

The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, is expected to convene an inception workshop to officially launch the Strengthening Agricultural Resilience Through Transformational Livelihood Adaptation in Liberia (SARTLA) Project, a major climate resilience initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable communities across the country.

The five-year project, which will run from 2026 to 2030, seeks to strengthen climate resilience, improve sustainable livelihoods, and help rural populations adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.

According to organizers, the inception workshop will bring together representatives from government ministries and agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, local stakeholders, and technical experts to establish a shared understanding of the project’s objectives, implementation framework, expected outcomes, and stakeholder responsibilities.

The SARTLA Project was jointly developed by the Government of Liberia and UNDP as part of broader national efforts to respond to increasing climate-related threats affecting agriculture, food security, natural ecosystems, and rural livelihoods.

Project organizers say the initiative adopts a systems-based and transformational adaptation approach designed to improve resilience among communities that rely heavily on natural resources for survival and economic activity.

Key components of the project include ecosystem restoration, strengthening agricultural extension services, improving access to finance, and promoting sustainable value chains within the agriculture, fisheries, and ecotourism sectors.

Under the implementation structure, the Environmental Protection Agency will serve as the Executing Entity, while UNDP will function as the Accredited Entity responsible for providing technical guidance and implementation support throughout the life of the project.

The workshop is also expected to serve as a strategic coordination platform where stakeholders will review and validate project objectives and expected outcomes, discuss implementation modalities and coordination mechanisms, clarify institutional roles and responsibilities, and agree on priorities and next steps for the initial implementation phase.

Expected outcomes from the workshop include the establishment of a shared understanding of project goals and deliverables, strengthened coordination among implementing partners, clear assignment of institutional responsibilities, agreement on immediate priorities, and the formal commencement of project activities.

The SARTLA Project aligns with Liberia’s national climate adaptation agenda and broader sustainable development priorities aimed at protecting vulnerable communities and safeguarding environmental resources.

Officials say the initiative is expected to contribute significantly to improving resilience in rural communities, protecting ecosystems, strengthening food security, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for local populations.

As Liberia continues to face increasing climate-related pressures affecting livelihoods, agriculture, and natural resources, stakeholders say the launch of the SARTLA Project represents a critical step toward advancing transformational climate adaptation and building a more resilient and sustainable future for the country.