Quarterly Progress Report FY21 Q3: Elections and Democracy Activity (EDA) in Liberia

The program aims to assist Liberia in overcoming challenges to its developing democracy by fostering inclusive, sustainable democratic political processes. EDA focuses on strengthening political leadership of marginalized groups, enhancing civic knowledge and sense of duty among citizens, and providing technical support to the National Elections Commission (NEC) and national election observers. The EDA team made significant strides in achieving its mobilization phase milestones this quarter, despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key activities included kickoff and planning meetings with USAID/Liberia staff, partnerships with IREX and UMOVEMENT, and outreach to other potential partners and stakeholders in Monrovia. The EDA Program Director initiated outreach to organizations such as NAYMOTE, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), and National Union of Organizations for the Disabled (NUOD). Personnel recruitment and hiring were also key focus areas for the EDA team. The CoP joined the EDA team effective June 1, and DI hired its incoming Finance and Operations Director on May 26 and its Program Director on May 28 as consultants in this interim mobilization period. The EDA Finance & Operations Director worked with DI's home office team to begin key procurement and business processes, and the team fine-tuned the EDA organizational chart and established a hiring plan. The EDA team also worked on partnerships with IREX and UMOVEMENT to ensure effective collaboration and implementation of the program. IREX will focus on Positive Youth Development approaches to advance youth leadership and political participation, while UMOVEMENT will ensure Liberian ownership and sustainability of the roll out of new civic education curriculum in schools. The EDA team also initiated outreach to other potential partners and stakeholders in Monrovia, including NAYMOTE, WANEP, FLY, and NUOD. The EDA team made significant progress in establishing a strong foundation for the program, including partnerships, personnel recruitment, and office and administrative start-up. The team's efforts will continue to focus on mobilizing a new cadre of leaders, informed citizenry, and strengthened institutions to bolster Liberia's democratic space and practice. The EDA team's partnerships with IREX and UMOVEMENT are critical to the program's success. IREX will ensure the integration of Positive Youth Development approaches to advance youth leadership and political participation, while UMOVEMENT will ensure Liberian ownership and sustainability of the roll out of new civic education curriculum in schools. The EDA team's outreach to other potential partners and stakeholders in Monrovia will also be crucial in achieving the program's objectives. The EDA team's office and administrative start-up efforts are also progressing, with the EDA Finance & Operations Director working with DI's home office team to begin key procurement and business processes. The team's efforts will continue to focus on establishing a strong foundation for the program, including partnerships, personnel recruitment, and office and administrative start-up.