TCollab Liberia’s Current Initiative

“Community Resilience: Building Peace in a Changing Climate”

The project “Community Resilience: Building Peace in a Changing Climate”

aims to strengthen community resilience to climate change and reduce conflict risks over six months.

Key components include community dialogues, early warning systems, natural resource

management, gender-sensitive approaches, and community-based monitoring. Emphasizing

sustainability, the project will build local capacity and foster collaboration to support

sustainable development and well-being in vulnerable communities.

Project Activity: Community Dialogue

In June 2024, TCollab-Liberia organized a one-day community dialogue in Point 4 Community, Liberia, focusing on climate resilience and risk mitigation. The dialogue engaged 25 participants, including community members, leaders, and stakeholders from government agencies and religious groups. The purpose was to discuss and address key climate challenges affecting the community.

Participants highlighted the urgent need to understand climate impacts and risks, emphasizing the importance of resilience-building strategies in the face of changing weather patterns and natural disasters. They identified various community challenges such as sea erosion, flooding, improper waste management, and waterborne diseases exacerbated by climate change.

Key concepts presented included definitions of community resilience, components essential for resilience, and the application of sustainable strategies for community growth. Examples of climate challenges discussed ranged from environmental practices and infrastructure issues to health and safety concerns.

During group discussions, participants shared perspectives on the impacts of these challenges, noting financial crises, health risks, and threats to community security. They also identified strengths within the community, including effective conflict mitigation and community-building initiatives.

Proposed solutions included setting up sanitation and cleaning teams, improving drainage systems, revamping public facilities, and promoting community education and awareness. Participants highlighted the benefits of these initiatives for sustainability and accountability while acknowledging potential barriers such as resource constraints and the need for ongoing community engagement.

Action planning resulted in agreed-upon steps, including establishing communication platforms, conducting routine monitoring visits, and engaging local organizations in collaborative efforts. Responsibilities were assigned to community leaders, health workers, donors, and local government officials, with timelines set for implementation.

Participants expressed appreciation for the dialogue and promised to take the lead by forming their community resilience champion committee and recommended ongoing support from TCollab-Liberia and donors in executing community initiatives. They emphasized the importance of establishing early warning systems, conducting gender training, and maintaining regular monitoring to ensure sustained progress in climate resilience and risk mitigation efforts.