The Liberian Government and the European Union Monday, June 5, 2023 signed US$88 million agreement.

The signature ceremony kick-started the new phase of the EU-Liberia development partnership, for which a total of US$210 million have been earmarked.

The four programs signed cover the areas of electoral support, technical and vocational education, food systems and forestry.

The four programs are strengthening inclusive and accountable democracy in Liberia (around 16.5 million US Dollars) aims to promote a more inclusive and transparent democracy in Liberia. It will support the electoral cycle and sustain peace, enable the meaningful participation of women and inclusion of marginalized groups in political processes, and increase the participation of citizens in the decision-making process and accountability.

The program will be implemented with the National Elections Commission through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

EU Ambassador to Liberia Laurent Delahousse, explained that the US$16.5 million is not only about the 2023 election but about long-term support to the National Elections Commission. 

“We feel that the running of the election has to be taken and financed by the country itself and this is what is happening now,” Delahousse said. “And we are very happy that all the necessary funds have now been provided by the government to NEC to run the election and our support will be additional to that.” 

The official signature ceremony took place in the context of the 50th Anniversary of EU- Liberia relations.

In 1973, the Commission of the European Economic Community established its first office in Liberia, which has since been upgraded to a full diplomatic mission, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Liberia.