FCI Advances Community Forestry by Securing Authorized Forest Community Status for Weasea and Slowoloh Communities

The Foundation for Community Initiatives joined other partner organizations on Friday, August 21, 2026, to witness the signing of Community Forest Management Agreements between the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and local forest communities. This critical milestone is part of the Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management Project (CBFM), funded by the Embassy of Sweden and implemented through the UNDP and FAO.

As a key implementing partner under the Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management Project,  the Foundation for Community Initiatives successfully guided the Weasea and Slowoloh applicant forest communities through Liberia’s statutory nine-step customary forest recognition process.

Enshrined in Liberia’s Community Rights Law, this rigorous nine-step framework empowers local populations by legally recognizing their rights to manage and protect their forests. This milestone marks a major advancement for community-led biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management. Through the CFMAs, communities are expected to play a more active role in managing and protecting forest areas while contributing to efforts to preserve Liberia’s rich ecosystem.

The signing ceremony took place at the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) headquarters. Representing the FAO was Officer-in-Charge, Godwin Phylix Cudjoe, accompanied by key staff members. Community leadership-including chief officers, Executive Committee chairs and members, Community Assembly members-attended the event alongside county authorities from Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Nimba, Rivercess and Sinoe counties.