Urban Acres
Posted under: 
0Empowering vulnerable youth in Monrovia, Liberia through food security, economic opportunity and community engagement.
Vote: 1602
Team Leader:
Michael Bernert
Team Information:
US Team: Michael Bernert, Jamie Patrick, Jaclyn Woodruff; Liberia Team: Mohahmed Tarawalley, S.B. Coomber, Moses Yama, Arnold Bockaray, Abu Samah
The Idea:
Urban AcresThe Problem:
The last few years aside, Liberia’s recent history is one of severe political conflict and violence. Political upheaval ignited by a 1980 coup d’état culminated in twenty years of civil wars. The two wars led to the deaths of over 10% of the population (mostly civilians) as well as the recruitment of up to 20,000 child soldiers by both government and rebel forces. Meanwhile, Liberian youth seeking refuge faced trauma, disrupted education, poverty, and discrimination. A nationwide 85% unemployment rate and over-dependence on costly imported rice only exacerbate their struggles.
The last few years aside, Liberia’s recent history is one of severe political conflict and violence. Political upheaval ignited by a 1980 coup d’état culminated in twenty years of civil wars. The two wars led to the deaths of over 10% of the population (mostly civilians) as well as the recruitment of up to 20,000 child soldiers by both government and rebel forces. Meanwhile, Liberian youth seeking refuge faced trauma, disrupted education, poverty, and discrimination. A nationwide 85% unemployment rate and over-dependence on costly imported rice only exacerbate their struggles.
Though 2003 marked the end of the coups, wars, and concomitant political instabilities, challenges confronting Liberian youth remain. They currently face great strains regarding food security, economic opportunity, and community integration; the aggregation of these issues results in a larger epidemic of youth disempowerment and disengagement. This conflict-driven youth disengagement is repeatedly cited as the most significant risk factor threatening further stability in Liberia. Primary drivers of youth disengagement include a lack of basic sustenance, a lack of economic opportunity and a lack of community structures that give youth a place in civil society and the ability to impact civil society in positive ways. Furthermore, historical patterns concerning Liberia and surrounding countries indicate a likely upswing in this cycle of violence.The Proposal:
Our organization, WAYAACP (West African Youth Agenda Against Corrupt Practices) empowers vulnerable youth in Monrovia, Liberia through food security, economic opportunity and community engagement. Our agriculture project converts unused land just outside of Monrovia into lowland rice and garden vegetable farms staffed by local youth. Through several systems of support, the project aims to bolster domestic rice production while increasing yield per acre, participant income, fostering self-efficacy and strengthening communities.
Our organization, WAYAACP (West African Youth Agenda Against Corrupt Practices) empowers vulnerable youth in Monrovia, Liberia through food security, economic opportunity and community engagement. Our agriculture project converts unused land just outside of Monrovia into lowland rice and garden vegetable farms staffed by local youth. Through several systems of support, the project aims to bolster domestic rice production while increasing yield per acre, participant income, fostering self-efficacy and strengthening communities.
Working with 100 HA of land, WAYAACP will sustainably self-finance all expenses through earned income activities. In addition to financial sustainability, the social impact includes providing a livelihood for over 300 young Liberians and creating the input assistance, processing and storage infrastructure to support several thousand peri-urban farmers in and around Liberia while contributing to regional geopolitical stability.
With the backing of an international board with research and development experience in West Africa and the leadership of a talented team of Sierra Leonean and Liberian citizens with significant leadership and NGO credentials, the Urban Acres is focused on driving measurable, sustainable and scaleable impact in Monrovia and eventually throughout the whole of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.