BACKGROUND

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to establish an effective, accessible, and sustainable alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system to address environmental conflicts.

Environmental disputes in Liberia are increasingly common, arising from issues such as land use conflicts, resource management, pollution, community rights, and adherence to environmental regulations. Many of these conflicts are deeply rooted in longstanding socio-economic injustices, unclear or overlapping land and resource rights, and limited access to formal judicial processes, especially for marginalized communities.

While Liberia has some experience with ADR in sectors like land governance and community rights, there remains a significant gap in applying such mechanisms specifically to environmental conflicts. The development of an environmental ADR system is a strategic step towards integrating conflict management and environmental governance, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and strengthening environmental justice.

Traditionally, such disputes have been addressed through litigation or administrative complaints, which are often time-consuming, costly, and inaccessible for many stakeholders. The judicial system in Liberia, like in many other developing countries, faces significant backlog and resource constraints, making it difficult to deliver timely justice. Moreover, formal court proceedings may lack the technical expertise necessary to effectively adjudicate complex environmental issues, potentially leading to decisions that do not adequately reflect environmental realities or stakeholder interests.

Recognizing these challenges, the Liberian government and the EPA have increasingly emphasized the need for alternative conflict resolution mechanisms. These approaches aim to provide accessible, culturally appropriate, and efficient avenues for resolving disputes before they escalate into conflicts or litigation

Objective of the Assignment

To design a comprehensive, sector-specific ADR framework tailored to Liberia’s environmental disputes, ensuring fairness, efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder inclusiveness, with validated operational procedures and institutional arrangements.

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