French Ambassador Hails Progress of REALISE Project

Bomi County, Liberia – February 26, 2026 – The French Ambassador to Liberia, Isabelle Le Guellec, has expressed strong satisfaction with the progress and impact of the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project, particularly its Community Livelihood and Agriculture Support (CLAS) Component.

Speaking to a team of journalists during a field visit to Bomi County on February 26, Ambassador Le Guellec said she was impressed by the tangible improvements in the lives of beneficiaries she interacted with in Maloma.

The visit, organized by the REALISE Project team, aimed to provide partners with firsthand insight into the implementation of project activities and to allow them to engage directly with beneficiaries benefiting from communal farming initiatives, and community-driven development projects.

“I am extremely happy with what I saw today. The project has helped beneficiaries to transform the way they have lived,” Madam Le Guellec said. She noted that beyond increasing agricultural production, the project is strengthening local capacities, promoting group cohesion, and building resilience among rural households.

About the REALISE Project

The REALISE Project, implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gender Children and Social Protection and the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment with support from international partners, is designed to improve income opportunities and food security for vulnerable populations, especially youth and women in rural communities.

Under the Community Livelihood and Agriculture Support Component, beneficiaries are organized into groups and provided with:

• Access to farmland and communal farming support
• Training in climate-smart agriculture and improved farming techniques
• Starter inputs, including seeds, tools, and other essential materials

improving household incomes, and strengthening community-based structures to ensure sustainability beyond the life of the project.

Impact in Maloma

In Maloma, one of the beneficiary communities in Bomi County, residents are benefiting from communal farming initiatives and small-scale infrastructure support aimed at boosting food production and local economic activity. Farmers reported improved yields and increased household income as a result of the training and input support provided by the project.

Women and young people, in particular, have been active participants in vegetable production, cassava cultivation, and other livelihood ventures introduced under the project.

French Government Support

The Government of France, through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is contributing approximately US$9.5 million to support the implementation of livelihood activities under the REALISE Project in rural Liberia. The funding specifically supports vulnerable communities to rebuild economic activities, enhance food security, and strengthen local resilience.

When asked about the possibility of extending the project beyond its December 2026 deadline, Ambassador Le Guellec stated that she is not aware of any formal plan to extend the project.

“I am not aware of any extension plan, nor have I participated in any discussion relating to extending the REALISE Project,” she clarified.

As the project approaches its scheduled completion, stakeholders say continued collaboration between the Government of Liberia and its development partners will be critical to sustaining the gains made in communities like Maloma and across Bomi County.