In a quest to ensure that young people have a seat at the table of decision-making, Kvinna till Kvinna (KTK) and its partners have officially launched the PEACEGEN Liberia – Generation for Peace Project, aimed at strengthening the meaningful participation and leadership of youth and women in Liberia.
The launch ceremony, held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Monrovia, attracted young people, government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, women leaders, and other stakeholders committed to promoting peace and inclusive governance.
The event was characterized by spoken-word poetry and drama performances by young people, who highlighted the importance of youth inclusion in national development and peacebuilding efforts.
“The future is young people, and we are fully ready to take our seat at the table,” the performers declared.
Young people remain the face of every nation, and in Liberia they account for approximately 60 percent of the population. Despite their numbers, many continue to face unemployment and limited participation in decision-making processes.
For decades, Liberian youth have been advocating for greater inclusion and equal representation, positioning themselves as agents of change and contributors to national development.
The PEACEGEN Project is being implemented by Kvinna till Kvinna (KTK) in partnership with the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), the Alliance for Peace and Justice and Human Rights (APJHR), and the National Young Women Political Council of Liberia (NYWPCL).
Funded by the European Union with co-funding from the Embassy of Ireland, the three-year initiative will run from January 15, 2026, to January 14, 2029. It will be implemented in Bomi, Bong, Montserrado, Nimba, and Sinoe counties, with national-level advocacy and coordination based in Monrovia.
Providing an overview of the project, Programme Manager of Kvinna till Kvinna, Comfort Baysah said the overall objective is to strengthen sustainable in-country capacities for effective conflict management and peacebuilding. Key activities include capacity building, community engagement, advocacy and policy engagement, and media engagement.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, Sheikh S.S. Kamara, Executive Director of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, praised KTK and its partners for the initiative and called for collective efforts to ensure its success.
“We will work with KTK to achieve the required results. To our youth, own this project. Peace is not something that can simply be delivered; it is something we build every day. To our women leaders, continue to lead. Let us coordinate, collaborate, and communicate. Let us do this together. Thank you for believing in our youth and women. We stand with you,” Kamara said.
Anna Brzozowska, Governance Team Leader at the European Union Delegation, said the project is focused on sustaining Liberia’s peace and strengthening participation among women and young people.
“Liberia knows what it means to fight for peace, and it also knows the courage it takes to choose peace. Liberia has made significant progress, but peace is never something we can take for granted. It must be protected and nurtured through meaningful participation,” she said.
Brzozowska noted that women and young people continue to play a vital role in shaping Liberia’s future.
“Women and young people are not second options. Women have helped shape this country, and young people are already doing the same. Peace means the presence of trust, participation, and hope. That is why we are proud to support this project,” she added.
Irish Ambassador to Liberia, Gerard Considine, described the initiative as an important investment in the country’s future.
“It is an honour to be here today. We are proud to co-fund this project because peace is built not only within governments but within communities. Peace cannot be sustained by one generation alone. We cannot afford to leave young people behind. Young people must have a seat at the table if we are to build lasting peace,” Ambassador Considine said.
Representatives of the Ministry of Justice also pledged support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and collaboration in promoting peace and stability.
“We cannot discuss peace without reconciliation and collaborative efforts. The Ministry of Justice remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace and social cohesion,” a representative said.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie described the project as timely and important for Liberia’s development.
“I believe this initiative gives hope to Liberia and reflects the courage of our people. This project comes at a time when support is needed to strengthen peace and justice efforts. Our youth and women are the architects of peace. They represent the energy, creativity, and resilience needed to build a better Liberia,” she said.
The Minister stressed that justice must be inclusive and peace must be participatory, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the project.
“As we launch this project today, let us commit ourselves to empowering our youth to become champions of justice and peace. Through collaboration and partnership, we can continue to develop our beloved country,” she added.
The project was officially launched by Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, who emphasized the importance of strong communication between young people and national leadership, including the President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Joseph N. Boakai.
The event concluded with a panel discussion and technical response session under the theme “From Voice to Impact,” where young people and key civil society actors exchanged ideas, experiences, and recommendations aimed at strengthening youth participation in governance and peacebuilding processes.
Organizers expressed confidence that the PEACEGEN Project will strengthen youth leadership, support community-based peacebuilding initiatives, and create greater opportunities for women and young people to contribute meaningfully to peace, justice, and national development across Liberia.
