Monrovia February 28, 2026-The executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) Hon. Julius Sele has called for increased investment in social protection programs across Liberia, emphasizing their critical role in improving the lives of vulnerable citizens and strengthening community resilience.
Speaking following a recent monitoring tour of Grand Bassa and Bomi Counties, The LACE Boss praised the ongoing implementation of the Social Cash Transfer and Community Livelihood and Agriculture Support (CLAS) activities being carried out under the REALISE Project. He said the programs are already making meaningful impacts in the lives of beneficiaries, particularly women, youth, and low-income households.
During the visits along with International Partners funding the REALISE Project, Hon. Sele interacted with residents who shared testimonies about how the support they receive through the project is helping them meet basic needs, start small businesses, and invest in agriculture.
“Social protection is not charity; it is a strategic investment in people,” Hon. Sele stated. “When government and partners invest in programs like the Social Cash Transfer and CLAS, we are empowering families to stand on their own and contribute to the development of their communities.”
According to him, the tour provided a first-hand look at the progress being made and the opportunities that exist for scaling up such initiatives across the country.
He noted that many beneficiaries in the communities visited are using the cash transfers to improve food security, support their children’s education, and expand small businesses, while the CLAS component is helping households engage in productive farming and other livelihood activities.
“The stories we heard from beneficiaries in Grand Bassa and Bomi Counties are powerful,” he said. “These programs are helping people move from vulnerability to productivity, and that is exactly what social protection should achieve.”
Hon. Sele also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the Government of Liberia, development partners, and local communities to sustain and expand social protection initiatives.
“We must continue to invest in programs that protect the poor and create opportunities for them,” he added. “The REALISE Project is demonstrating that with the right support, communities can transform their own lives.”
The REALISE Project, implemented by the Government of Liberia through key institutions including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment, is designed to strengthen Liberia’s social protection system and support vulnerable populations through employment opportunities, livelihood support, and cash assistance.
Hon. Sele reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that prioritize the well-being of ordinary Liberians and ensure that social protection remains a key pillar of national development.
“Investing in social protection is investing in Liberia’s future,” he concluded. “We must continue to strengthen and expand these programs so that no Liberian is left behind.”
