Liberia Peacebuilding Fund - Overview

Liberia is in a pivotal transitional recovery phase. The Government of Liberia (GoL) and the United Nations (UN) in Liberia recognize that a focus on peacebuilding is a cornerstone of national development and crucial for ensuring that the nation never returns to war. While it is clear that an overall state of security has been maintained in Liberia since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in August 2003, as in any post-conflict country, challenges remain that require attention to ensure there is no relapse to violent conflict.  History has proven that peace agreements do not always result in a lasting peace.

Against this background, the United Nations Secretary-General declared on 4 October 2007 Liberia eligible as the first country to receive funding under the second window of the Peacebuilding Fund. This decision was based on a concept note prepared by GoL and the UN summarizing the current post-conflict situation and the need to firmly bolster the ‘hard-won’ peace in Liberia with concrete, rapid action.  Since the Sirleaf Government took office in early 2006, the GoL, UN, civil society and partners have made progress in analyzing the causes of instability, identifying challenges to developing a durable peace and articulating strategic measures to address ‘conflict factors’.

The Peacebuilding Fund has allocated $15 million to support the ongoing peacebuilding process in Liberia.

Liberia Peacebuilding Fund - Priority Plan

The Liberia PBF Priority Plan identifies the following three priority areas:
• Fostering National Reconciliation and Conflict Management
• Critical Interventions to Promote Peace and Resolve Conflict
• Strengthening State Capacity for Peace Consolidation

Useful links

• The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

News

Presentation on the Peacebuilding Fund in Liberia
New York, 5 Mar 2008 – The second meeting of the PBF Advisory Group was convened on 5-6 March 2008. Prior to the meeting, the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN convened a Seminar entitled "Catalytic Action for Peacebuilding: Examples of the UN Peacebuilding Fund", co-chaired by HE Ms Marjatta Rasi, Under-Secretary of State for Development in FInland and Chair of the PBF Advisory Group, and HE Ms Carmen María Gallardo Hernández, Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the UN and Vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. During the Seminar, presentations were made on Burundi by H.E. Ambassador Nahayo, Permanent Mission of Burundi to the UN, and on Liberia by HE Ms Estelle K. Liberty, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Government of Liberia. A summary of the Seminar is available here.

Liberia PBF Priority Plan
Monrovia, 27 Feb 2008 – The Priority Plan for the Peacebuilding Fund in Liberia, with its three strategic priority areas in support of the ongoing peacebuilding process in the country, has been finalized.

$15 million allocated to Liberia
New York, 17 Dec 2007 – The Peacebuilding Fund has allocated $15 million to support the ongoing peacebuilding process in Liberia, funding projects to reduce poverty, promote national reconciliation and provide employment and other opportunities for war-affected and young people.

Liberia becomes eligible for PBF
New York, 4 Oct 2007 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today that Liberia is eligible to receive assistance from the UN Peacebuilding Fund.