Liberia—Local Empowerment for Government Inclusion and Transparency (LEGIT)

The Government of Liberia has committed to moving forward with decentralization in the near-term, setting the stage for full devolution in the long-term. Greater decentralization will promote the country’s continued development and allow the Liberian people to be “active partners in the delivery of services and in the governance of their communities and counties.” The Local Empowerment for Government Inclusion and Transparency (LEGIT) program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), helped solidify this process by facilitating the transfer of authority from the national government to counties and cities, enhancing citizen participation in governance, and building capacity for government officials. LEGIT activities complemented the USAID Liberia Accountability and Voice Initiative (LAVI), further enhancing citizen engagement and government accountability throughout the country.

Sample Activities

• Work in three counties and at least three cities across the country to support the capacity building of local governments.
• Develop policies and guidelines to improve performance and accountability for local government processes.
• Facilitate engagement between the Government of Liberia and its citizens.
• Work with local governments to expand public-private partnerships for basic services.
• Support local governments in revising city ordinances.
• Administer grants, training, and assistance to build government capacity and promote civic engagement.

Select Results

• Provided 56 grants to civil society organizations, city corporations, counties, and national government counterparts. One grant specifically supported the establishment of a governance resource center to serve as a virtual and practical information repository for research, policies, and publications on decentralization.
• Helped develop the implementation plan for the Local Governance Act.
• Implemented 42 local government administration and financial management standard operating procedures for counties and cities.
• Developed city atlases that are being used by partner cities in solid waste management planning and to resolve boundary disputes, yielding additional conflict-prevention impact.