Ten innovative teams presented their ground-breaking projects to the esteemed panel of judges.
At the opening ceremony, Zaidi Jallow, deputy Permanent Secretary, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, outlined government's commitment to supporting the implementation of all the projects.
Executive Coordinator of Clean Earth Gambia, Mr Abdoulie Singhateh, expressed optimism that the solution presented by the contestants will be things that will contribute immensely towards the sustainability of the environment.
“When we launched this in April, we had about 39 applicants from different parts of the country sharing beautiful ideas about our environment however, with the help of the judges we were able to stream down to 11 applicants out of which three will emerge winners of the grand prizes.”
He added that there are different dynamics in terms of climate change, but children and youth are a critical element of climate change.
“That's why when we engaged UNICEF on the idea of having children and youth engage on climate change they embraced the idea, fund the project after due process.” he explained.
This project, he went on, is to compliment whatever you are doing and that winning any of the three prizes will just complement their ideas.
“We believe this is just a starting point. It is not about the competition it is about the ability to compose a unique idea that you want to share.”
Representative of the Kanifing Municipal Youth Committee, Mr Kabir Nyass, said climate change within the municipality is a concern over the years as lot of families have been displaced, people have lost their livelihoods due to the effects of climate change.
“Therefore, organizations organizing such activities is threatened the environmental issues by empowering key advocates is very essential.”
The organization awarded D50,000 to the winner; D30,000 to the first runner up and D20,000 to the second runner up.
Plantation Nurseries won the grand prize- D50,000, Agro Incubation-Hub first runner up D30,000 and Green-Up Gambia second runner up D20,000.
Mr Samba Faye, Plantation Nurseries, and winner of the grand prize, while expressing gratitude, said the move is a recognition of his team's hard work and dedication to combating deforestation and promoting environmental stewardship across The Gambia.
