1.1. Project Summary
The Mesurado wetland is situated in Montserrado County in the heart of Monrovia with a huge connectivity of water resources and a rich diversity of plants and animals? species. The total area covered by the Mesurado wetland is approximately 6,760 ha. The site harbors three of the six mangrove species found in Liberia (Rhizophoraharrisonii, R. mangle and Avicenniaafricana).

In addition to the huge species richness of the area, it also serves as a habitats and breeding grounds for marine species and provide a number of important ecosystem services and benefits that contribute to poverty alleviation and food security, including food and raw material provision, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and moderation of extreme climate events (Brander et al., 2012; Mukherjee et al., 2014; Barbier, 2016). The Mesurado wetland also serves as a crucial component of the blue forest ecosystem a powerful form of erosion control, and with the existence of mangrove trees, it provides shelter and nutrients to young fishes, shrimps, crabs and mollusks where they can live safely and develop. Mangrove ecosystems also provide habitats for several animals including manatees, sea turtles, crocodile as well as several species of fish and birds. Besides, it has been proven that mangroves can withstand surges of natural disasters like tsunami, cyclones etc (Marois&Mitsch., 2015).

Over the years, Monrovia and its surroundings have experience severe flooding affecting over 30,000 people (Flood List, 2018). In fact, it is reported that more flooding will occur as our climate is changing (EPA, 2019), which mean more people will get affected if nothing is done to protect the mangroves.

Today, there are written reports and visible evidence of mangrove destruction in the Mesurado wetland by community dwellers either for land reclamation, charcoal production or wood for drying of fish (Tuagben, 2012, EPA, 2018). All of these are happening due to lack of knowledge and awareness about the importance and the excess benefits that mangroves and the wetlands provide for our general survival.

Therefore, this project seeks to address the issue of ignorant on the part of the communities about the importance and benefits of mangrove in communities within and around the Mesurado wetland. This project targets communities within Peace Island, 72nd SKD Boulevard Community, Chocolate city community and New Matadi estate in Sinkor. The project will employ a system of sensitization through religious approaches. Liberians are very religious and value information shared on the podiums and altars of their churches and mosques. This method has been used in the conservation and protection Elephants in Kenya and within the sub-region; it was used in Ghana by Herp- Conservation Ghana. This project will employ the integration of conservation messages into sermons preach by religious leaders.

The main goal of this project is the continuous protection of the Mesurado Wetlands through a system of religious conservation awareness and education and alternative livelihood options for the communities engaged. The project seeks to increase public awareness throughout these four communities on the conservation of wetlands through religious dialogues, public awareness and outreach, and offer alternative livelihood skills (tailoring) for those who are directly involve with the destruction of the Mesurado Wetlands.






1.2. Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the Project
Youth Climate Change Initiative - Liberia (YCCI-Liberia)

Youth Climate Change Initiative- Liberia is an initiative of young people who have decided to help take actions in addressing climate change and Environmental issues in Liberia, Africa and the rest of the world.

The main reason for the founding of this initiative is to ensure that young people take actions in addressing climate change issues by their inclusion, and active participation at all climate change discussions and negotiations henceforth. This is needed because young people in Liberia constitute more than half of the country population and are mostly affected by climate change impacts as well have the most potential to support Liberia to take actions on climate change. The Initiative hopes to address the bigger picture of climate change by appreciating its links with sustainable development.

In this regard, we hope to link climate change with key development challenges, like poverty alleviation, agriculture, gender, health, education, economic growth, urbanization and migrations, governance among others.
As an institution, we have implemented two projects namely; APM Terminals (Go Green Project) and World Bank (National Youth Summit on the Environment).


Organizational approach for project implementation, i.e. how does the organization or group intend to deliver the project?
The project will work closely with local government officials (commissioners) in these four (4) major communities;Peace Island, 72nd SKD Boulevard Community, Chocolate city community and New Matadi estate in Sinkor. The project team will also work with community leaders, religious leaders, school administrators, student leaders, youth and women groups, charcoal producers, fishermen, and fish mongers.

Length of existence and project management experience if any
Youth Climate Change Initiative-Liberia has been around for the past 5 years actively engaging youth and other environmental related issues in Liberia.

Organizational structure, governance and administrative framework: provide the number of paid staff members if it is a well constituted organization

Our organization is governed by a Board of Directors that meets twice a year to evaluate the progress and challenges of the institution. At the management level, the Executive Director serves as a secretary to Board and at the same time oversees the daily running of the organization. Additionally, we have a Deputy Executive Director that assists the Executive Director. We have a Program Manager, project Officer, Finance Manager, and three field staff.