The Safer Communities Initiative of Liberia (SCIL) is a national non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community resilience across Liberia. Through its Forest and Land Use Program, SCIL plays a pivotal role in promoting responsible forest management and equitable land governance as pathways to safer, more prosperous communities.Operating at the intersection of environmental conservation and rural development, SCIL’s Forest and Land Use Program focuses on: • Sustainable Forest Management (SFM): Supporting communities in the sustainable use of forest resources to preserve biodiversity, reduce deforestation, and enhance livelihoods through eco-friendly enterprises. • Land Tenure Security: Advocating for transparent and inclusive land governance systems that recognize and formalize customary land rights, particularly for indigenous and marginalized communities. • Climate Action: Contributing to Liberia’s commitments under REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) by facilitating community-based forest monitoring, land-use planning, and restoration projects. • Capacity Building: Training local leaders, youth, and women in forest governance, land-use mapping, and sustainable agriculture to build local ownership and long-term sustainability. • Conflict Prevention: Addressing land and resource-based conflicts through dialogue, mediation, and rights-based approaches, thereby promoting peace and security in forested and rural areas.SCIL works in close partnership with ForumCiv Liberia , government agencies, FAO Liberia, international donors, civil society networks, and local communities to align its initiatives with Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Land Rights Act of 2018, and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) and ARREST Agenda. Through this integrated approach, SCIL’s Forest and Land Use Program empowers communities to become active custodians of their natural resources while advancing climate resilience, food security, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).