Planning from a Free Economic Zone to a Social Enterprise
PROCESS FACILITATION – PROJECT
Monrovia, Liberia | 2015 – on going
Liberia’s capital has been afflicted by violent civil conflicts for years, in addition to the recent Ebola outbreak causing thousands of casualties. There is an urging need for jobs for the youth, women and ex-combatants. At the same time small entrepreneurship and self-reliance activities are rising and constitute a great local potential that needs to be nurtured to tilt the situation. Within these circumstances, SPcitI collaborates with Spark on the process for the first Monrovia SIZ (Social Impact Zone).
The selected location is a former UN base, north of Monrovia’s Harbour and south of a regional market. Itis well connected and optimal to create a synergy between these two poles and the surrounding communities. The existing infrastructure needs adaptation and refurbishment; however it provides an excellent base.
The creation of an area for sustainable industries with impact is the main priority. The goal is to attract foreign investment from socially responsible companies to generate job opportunities and allow room for development and to encourage local entrepreneurship.
Through small workshops and meetings with stakeholders, a masterplan and a development strategy for social and economic development has been outlined. One of the main drivers of the SIZ is the creation of a Biomass plant and the processing of agricultural forestry in an environmentally sustainable way. By the end of the process, the target is to bind the several stakeholders to commit to a long period of time, in order to increase the durable and long lasting impact on the city and region, while also providing a pilot example for other SIZ in Liberia and hopefully around the world.
In collaboration with:
Phases:
- 2015 scoping mission
- 2016 – on going
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