Liberia: EPA Executive Director Leads GEF OFP Oversight Visit to SARTLA Project Communities in Grand Cape Mount

Grand Cape Mount County – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia and Global Environment Facility (GEF) Operational Focal Point (OFP), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has concluded a three-day oversight and stakeholder engagement visit to SARTLA project communities in Grand Cape Mount County.

The visit was conducted under the GEF-8 Support to Operational Focal Points for Project Oversight, in partnership with the Tropical Biology Association (TBA), and forms part of Liberia’s OFP Workplan for early engagement on the Strengthening Agricultural Resilience through Transformational Livelihood Adaptation in Liberia (SARTLA) Project.

The 10-million-dollar SARTLA Project, approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in May 2025, is a five-year initiative (2026–2030) being implemented through a strong inter-ministerial collaboration framework led by the EPA, with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) hosted at the Ministry of Agriculture. Under this arrangement, the Ministry of Agriculture leads agriculture-related activities, MICAT supports communication and eco-tourism, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry drives private sector and MSME engagement, and NaFAA oversees fisheries and aquaculture interventions.

During the visit, Dr. Yarkpawolo engaged county authorities, traditional leaders, women and youth groups, farmers, fisherfolk, and community-based organizations to gather first-hand information from communities on the impact of climate change and to explain the project.

The mission aimed to explain the SARTLA Project, confirm community participation arrangements, assess local climate vulnerabilities, and strengthen institutional oversight ahead of implementation.

The SARTLA Project seeks to build climate resilience in natural-resource-dependent communities by restoring degraded ecosystems, strengthening climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries, improving access to climate finance, and promoting sustainable value chains and alternative livelihoods, including eco-tourism.

As part of the OFP oversight mission, Dr. Yarkpawolo engaged directly with Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs), fisherfolk, farmers, women groups, youth representatives, and community-based organizations in Robertsport and surrounding SARTLA target communities. Members of the CMA shared experiences of seasonal flooding that forces families to temporarily abandon their homes when the sea and rivers converge. Fisherfolk and farmers expressed concern over declining yields and confusion caused by shifting weather patterns.

Community-based environmental groups, including Eco Brigade, also shared their efforts in sanitation, plastic waste reduction, and community clean-up campaigns, supported through training and small grants. Several women beneficiaries testified how small livelihood support has helped them expand fish and food businesses, improve household income, and strengthen resilience.  

Dr. Yarkpawolo commended the resilience and commitment of Grand Cape Mount communities and encouraged continued community participation and environmental stewardship. He emphasized that the SARTLA Project will concentrate on restoring degraded ecosystems, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries, enhancing sustainable value chains, and supporting alternative livelihoods, such as eco-tourism.  

“Climate change is already affecting how our people live and work. Through projects like SARTLA, we are working to ensure that communities have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to adapt and thrive,” he said.

The Executive Director also visited the coastal communities, observing their vulnerabilities, and committed to regular visits as the project progresses.

The visit underscores EPA’s commitment to community-centered climate action, strong GEF project oversight, and evidence-based environmental governance, as Liberia continues to confront the realities of climate change.