EFA has a unique, timely and important role to play in the West Africa Subregion: Sierra Leone, because of its focus on the restoration of a severely degraded environment; Liberia, because of its focus on awareness raising and conservation of an environment that is unique in Africa (the last significant block of the Upper Guinea Rain Forest remains in Liberia) and restoration of the degraded parts.

It will therefore endeavour, as a long term objective, to facilitate the formation of local environmental action groups in every part in each country. These groups, made up of indigenous people, will spearhead the environmental education and awareness-raising programmes and other related activities among their respective communities. They will identify local environmental problems and be responsible for planning and managing projects designed to address these problems. They will also be involved with identifying and mobilising local resources for implementing their projects.

To help speed up the formation of these groups, EFA plans to construct educational centres, that will serve as a focal point for the collaborated activities of all environment -focused NGOs and local community groups operating in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

EFA's main focus will be :

  • to provide environmental awareness and education programmes for a variety of audiences. These will include local communities groups, local NGOs schools (pupils and teachers), commercial enterprises and governmental and humanitarian relief agencies;

  • to provide a resource centre of multimedia materials focusing on global environmental issues, with a special emphasis on Sierra Leone, Liberia and other African countries;

  • to produce videos, booklets and other educational material from information and pictorial material gathered in Sierra Leone and Liberia;

  • to provide a co-ordinating and networking function for the diverse groups and people concerned about environmental degradation in Sierra Leone and Liberia;

  • to provide scientific data and advice on proven practical strategies for environmental repair and conservation from international and local sources;

  • to actively advocate for the development of sound government policies for environmental repair, conservation and natural resource management;

  • to work closely with community based organisations to develop programs that highlight the role of each individual in the repair of environmental damage and the sustainable use of the resources remaining;

  • to set up a sustainable agro-ecosystem through agroforestry and agroecology techniques to serve as an education and demonstration site.
  • to work closely with human rights organisations to promote and advocate for the right of citizens to a healthy environment and wise use of the country´s natural resources.