The Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment (RICCE) took a significant step in advocating for the rights of women, girls, and children by participating in a key meeting on May 17, 2024, to review radio scripts and community messages. Spearheaded by Madam Renee N. Gibson, Program Manager of RICCE, this initiative aligns with the organization’s mission to empower marginalized rural communities across Liberia.
This review process was a collaborative effort under the Advancing Land-based Investment Governance (ALIGN) project, which aims to inform and empower communities on sustainable land management, particularly in oil palm cultivation areas.
The ALIGN project, led by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) with support from the Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group (CS-OPWG), targets awareness about Liberia’s National Oil Palm Strategy and Action Plan (NAPSAP).
As a key player in this project, RICCE lends its expertise on gender issues, ensuring the messages reflect the rights and voices of women, girls, and children in rural areas. This collaboration highlights the importance of community inclusion in sustainable land investment practices, aiming for development that is both eco-conscious and socially equitable.
Through simplified messages, the ALIGN project seeks to build community knowledge on NAPSAP’s objectives, providing clarity on sustainable practices in agriculture and reducing the adverse effects of large-scale oil palm plantations.
NAPSAP’s framework emphasizes respect for community land and forest rights, which are often jeopardized in industrial agriculture projects. By promoting smallholder-driven oil palm initiatives, the ALIGN project not only advocates for sustainable livelihoods but also reinforces community ownership in land-use decisions.
RICCE’s active participation in this initiative also aligns with its broader goals in gender equality and rural development. The organization’s mission includes empowering rural women, strengthening community participation, and fostering sustainable natural resource management. Through these efforts, RICCE envisions a Liberia where all community members, especially women and children, can thrive within a socially just and environmentally responsible society.
One of the ALIGN project’s pivotal objectives is to enable communities to protect biodiversity and manage forest resources effectively within oil palm landscapes. This effort encompasses multiple benefits, from conserving Liberia’s unique ecosystem to providing alternative livelihoods for community members, thus lessening their reliance on deforestation and unsustainable practices. It also promotes sustainable agriculture as a viable option for Liberia’s rural population, reinforcing the need for environmental stewardship alongside economic development.
In its contribution to the ALIGN project, RICCE champions gender inclusion and community engagement in decisions impacting land use, a principle that has long been central to its programs. Since its inception, RICCE has focused on advocacy, capacity building, and collaborative networks that address the pressing needs of rural communities. With a presence in all 15 counties, RICCE’s projects have influenced numerous policy recommendations and reached hundreds of rural families.
RICCE’s approach to community empowerment is holistic, combining advocacy with practical support. In addition to its role in the ALIGN project, RICCE offers various programs that address critical issues like food security, income generation, and peace-building. For instance, its Gender Equality and Women Empowerment initiative champions women’s rights, access to resources, and opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.
Similarly, its Environmental Safety and Biodiversity Conservation program educates communities on sustainable resource management, ensuring that environmental practices do not compromise long-term ecological health.
Through its diverse initiatives, RICCE remains committed to bridging the gaps in rural Liberia’s development. By actively participating in ALIGN and similar projects, RICCE reaffirms its dedication to creating awareness and fostering meaningful dialogue about the rights and roles of women, girls, and children in Liberia’s land governance and investment landscapes.