Volunteers for Sustainable Development in Africa (VOSIEDA) is a grassroot Liberian nonprofit and a network of development professionals working to promote prosperity, reduce extreme poverty, and strengthen peace and stability in Liberia and West Africa’s Mano River Union Basin region.
VOSIEDA maintains its headquarters is in Monrovia, Liberia, and works with partners in Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone on different programs and projects.
mission
To promote prosperity, reduce extreme poverty, and strengthen peace and stability in Liberia and West Africa’s Mano River Union Basin region: Liberia, Guinea, Cote d’Ivore, and Sierra Leone.
vision
We envisage healthy and prosperous societies where there is no extreme poverty, where communities are committed to caring for nature, where justice, dignity, and respect prevail for all.
How We Work
Our work is primarily focused on saving the planet and fighting extreme poverty among women, youth, children and other excluded groups. We advance community solutions to address development challenges.
Our Latest Projects
Strengthening Independent Media and Freedom of Information in Liberia
With funding from the United Nations Democracy Funds (UNDEF), VOSIEDA in partnership with the University of Liberia and the Press Union of Liberia has launched the above project to strengthen independent media and freedom of information in Liberia. This two-year project (June 1 2021 to June 30th 2023) will strengthen independent media and freedom of information in Liberia through improving the environment for press freedom, journalistic safety, and self-regulation through favorable policies and practices. Furthermore, it will foster active citizen’s demand …
Funding Partner
Mainstreaming Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services into Community Forestry in Liberia
With funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), VOSIEDA in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority of Liberia has launched the above project. This seven month (17) project (February 2021- June 2022) to ensure community forests in Liberia are managed sustainably. The project will integrate biodiversity and ecosystem services into Community Forest Management Planning, and train forest officers, communities, and private companies about the values of biodiversity and the steps women and men in local communities can to conserve and use it sustainably.
Funding Partner
Sustaining peace and improving social cohesion through the promotion of rural employment opportunities for youth in conflict prone areas
VOSIEDA is working with the United Nations World Food Programme to implement the project ‘Sustaining peace and improving social cohesion through the promotion of rural employment opportunities for youth in conflict-prone areas, in Liberia. The project is tackling two interlinked root causes of grievances and conflict in Liberia, namely insufficient participation of youth in local dispute resolution and lack of youth employment and livelihood opportunities. The project is also providing conflict resolution training to women and youth champions in the conflict prone communities and districts of Bong and Lofa counties.
Funding Partner
Recently concluded Projects
Strengthening capacity of non-state actors to improve FLEGT-VPA and REDD+ processes in Western Africa
In Western Africa, FLEGT-VPA and REDD+ processes have become main drivers for reforms in forest governance, with both REDD+ and FLEGT-VPA processes currently ongoing in Ghana, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire. The success of these processes is heavily dependent on the participation of all stakeholders. This project worked to enhance the capacity of Western Africa NSAs to monitor, advocate and engage with State Actors in FLEGT-VPA and REDD+ processes. It was funded by the European Union with overall coordination by Tropenbos International and implemented by VOSIEDA in Liberia, Tropenbos Ghana and NDF in Ghana, and GNT-CI in Cote D’Ivoire
Funding Partner
Strengthening Domestic Accountability and Empowered Citizenry Through ICT
The project worked to address the limited accountability, transparency, and access to public information directly relevant to Liberia’s health and well-being. It worked with the Ministry of Health to make available public services data about COVID -19 response programs and funding accessible through ICT. Besides, the project combats misinformation proliferation and created awareness of the vulnerable population about the pandemic and services available to citizens during this critical time. The project was supported financially by the Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Region (SPIDER), a program hosted by the Department for Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) at Stockholm University.
Funding Partner
Climate Resilient Agriculture and Ecosystem - Based Adaptation, Liberia
Local communities in Liberia have become prone to the adverse effects of global climate change, with climate change’s impact on agriculture, coastal ecosystems, coastal settlements, and many coastal economies of Liberia becoming extremely vulnerable to impacts of global climate change. Some of these include rising sea levels, sea erosion, intensifying storm surge, extreme precipitation, and coastal flooding. With funding from the Green Climate Fund through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), VOSIEDA conducted climate change vulnerability and climate risk assessments on key sectors including agriculture and coastal ecosystem; and developing pilot sites for demonstration of agriculture resilience and coastal ecosystem-based adaptations.
Funding Partner
Our Results
Every year, we keep our promise to thousands of people. In 2020, we empowered +500 families to gain access to improved livelihoods, 10,000 plus hectares of tropical rain forests through advocacy, rescued 65 children from modern-day slavery, empowered 800 plus women and youths, built capacity, and provided social services for the poor. Consequently, more than 600 small farmers enjoyed increased incomes and savings. 25 of our partner local community organizations improved their performance
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is placing strains on health systems and essential public services across West Africa. VOSIEDA is partnering with the United Nations World Food Program and others to respond to the pandemic. We are also leading efforts to restore nature and build resilience.
Poverty Eradication in time of COVID 19
Experience
Partnerships & development projects
A grassroot development organization established in the year 2001, VOSIEDA has worked on the ground for more than +20 years to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We work with both national and international partners while striving for a West Africa where all people are heard, empowered, and productive.
Our Priorities
VOSIEDA works across five (5) integrated programs. The causes and effects of extreme poverty in West Africa are complicated and interlocking. Therefore, the best way to bring about real change is to implement multifaceted and broad-based local solutions to address the root causes and consequences of poverty. We undertake long-term development programs, engage people and communities affected though development programs and policy advocacy, to bring about structural change.
Through researches and innovative field projects, we empower communities in Liberia and West Africa to protect the nature that everyone depends on for livelihoods, freshwater, and clean air.
We empower smallholder farmers to transform small-scale agriculture from lonely struggles for survival to small-scale family business enterprises capable of increasing incomes and improving food security.
We empower women and girls to defeat poverty and achieve equality. We focus on women and girls because we believe we cannot overcome poverty until everyone has equal rights and opportunities.
We work for participatory, representative, and inclusive political processes and institutions; greater accountability of institutions and leaders to citizens and the law.
We support grassroots efforts to strengthen independent media and freedom of information. Besides, we deliver advisory services to local communities, the private sector to enhance their development results.
COVID 19 and Gender Equality
"Women Must Be at the Heart of COVID-19 Response and Recovery in Liberia and MRU"
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, particularly from the developed world to underdeveloped Africa regions, the West Africa Mono River Basin region needs more attention than ever. Why? Female populations make up three-quarters of the region’s most impoverished community. The pandemic’s socio-economic impact is already becoming inescapably devastating.
Emerging evidence from COVID 19 and experience from the Ebola disease outbreak and the various recurring civil war in a country like Liberia show that women will disproportionately bear the resulting socio-economic difficulties. Consequently, as significant contributors to their households and communities, women must play a vital role in any response and recovery plan.
VOSIEDA
We need your voice. Join Us! Together we can
defeat extreme poverty and defend women's rights.
Partner with Us
We value our partnerships with individuals, businesses, and other organizations because partnership deepens impact and promote empowerment.
Volunteer at VOSIEDA
For nearly 20 years, VOSIEDA has been working to end poverty and environmental degradation. We envision communities where the local environment is protected, and people are empowered.
Donate to Save Lives and Defeat Poverty
VOSIEDA directly support communities and supplies smallholder farmers with financing and training to grow their way out of hunger and poverty.
Fundraise for a Just Cause
VOSIEDA empowers the ultra-poor in Liberia and West Africa Mano River union Basin region to lift themselves out of poverty through small businesses training, financial support and farm support services.
Pursue Career that Save Lives
If you want to make a direct impact in people’s lives while enjoying the satisfaction of knowing that you’re making the world a better place, you may want to consider volunteering or pursuing a career at VOSIEDA.
We’d Love to Hear from You!
We pride ourselves on our commitment to relationships with partners and are always there to listen. If you have a comment or question or wish to discuss a new initiative, please feel free to get in touch with us.
Join Our Mission
Volunteers are the heart of VOSIEDA. They provide professional and critical skills, time, energy, personal commitment and resources to fight extreme poverty, improve the environment, empower women and youth and move communities beyond aid in West Africa.
Most volunteers work one day a week on a year-round basis, and in most cases in their own countries and communities. Contact us today to learn how you can join our mission.
