Youth Action Lead Liberia
About YALL
Youth Action Lead Liberia (YALL) is a youth-led organization committed to community-driven change at the intersection of environmental justice, education, and human rights. We empower young people and marginalized communities to build a just, peaceful, and resilient Liberia.
History
Founded on February 22, 2019, in Gbarnga, Bong County, Youth Action Lead Liberia (YALL) was born from a passionate belief that young people are the most powerful catalysts for change. We began as a small, dedicated group focused on local issues and have since grown into a professionally registered organization (April 24, 2024) with a clear, strategic vision for national impact.
Our journey has been one of learning and adaptation. We have evolved from grassroots mobilization to developing a sophisticated, three-pillar strategy that integrates Legal Empowerment, Youth Mobilization, and providing Practical Alternatives to harmful practices. This holistic approach allows us to address the complex intersection of environmental justice, human rights, and economic survival that defines the reality for many Liberians.
Today, YALL stands as a credible, youth-led partner for communities, government agencies, and international supporters, committed to building a Liberia where dignity, equity, and sustainability are not just ideals, but lived realities.
Mission
Empowering youth and marginalized communities in Liberia through inclusive education, legal advocacy, and climate action building dignity, equity, and sustainable transformation.
Vision
A just, peaceful, and resilient Liberia where young people lead systemic change, communities are rights-aware, and sustainable development is driven from the grassroots.
Our Core Values
1. Empowerment
We equip youth and marginalized communities with knowledge, skills, and opportunities so they can lead change and shape Liberia’s future.
2. Inclusivity
Our programs ensure that all voices, especially those of women, rural communities, and disadvantaged groups are heard and represented in decision-making.
3. Equity
We work to remove systemic barriers and create fair access to education, justice, and climate resilience for every community member.
4. Sustainability
Our initiatives promote long-term solutions in climate action, agriculture, and community development that safeguard resources for future generations.
5. Dignity
We uphold the inherent worth of every individual, ensuring that our advocacy and education efforts restore respect and human rights.
6. Advocacy
We champion youth and community voices in legal, social, and climate justice spaces, influencing policies that drive systemic transformation.
7. Collaboration
We build strong partnerships with communities, institutions, and global allies to amplify impact and achieve shared goals for a just and resilient Liberia.
Our Operating Context
Our work in 2025 and beyond is shaped by a dynamic Liberian landscape. The government's focus on regulating the natural resource sector presents a dual reality: a risk that revenue goals could overshadow community rights, and a significant opportunity created by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) intensified enforcement actions.
The EPA's crackdown on illegal mining validates our core strategy: empowering communities to know, use, and shape the law to demand accountability. We operate where economic survival often clashes with environmental health. With over 100,000 people depending on artisanal mining, our approach must be nuanced. We don't just advocate against harmful practices; we build trust by offering training in safer, mercury-free alternatives, turning potential adversaries into partners in stewardship.
The primary threat remains the gap between law and enforcement, but the EPA's renewed energy, coupled with a growing global focus on climate justice, provides the perfect moment for our work to bridge the gap between national policy, regulatory action, and grassroots community needs.