The capacity-building initiative, primarily centered on Social and Behavioral Change and Communication (SBCC), is an integral component of the "Vulnerable Youth and Women Support Project" (VYWoSP), funded by the African Development Bank Group. This impactful project aims to engage approximately 450 participants.
The VYWoSP is a three-year initiative launched by the government of The Gambia, backed by a generous funding of USD 7 million from the African Development Bank Group, along with a counterpart contribution of GMD 30 million from The Gambia government.
The project aims to enhance livelihoods and improve access to essential social services, including health, nutrition, social protection, and education, for individuals in rural communities, particularly focusing on out-of-school youth and women.
Activities were meticulously crafted to enhance the training of IPC network structures in effective interpersonal communication skills, targeting to cultivate competencies crucial for the successful implementation of the VYWoSP's Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) initiative.
The Project is being executed in the Central and Upper River Regions by the National Social Protection Agency, under the auspices of the Vice President. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), the Adult Non-Formal Education Unit within the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the National Enterprise Development Institute (NEDI), the Department of Community Development (DCD), and the Ministry of Transportation, Works, and Infrastructure (MoTWI).
The project focuses on supporting vulnerable women and out-of-school youths aged 15 to 35 in the Kuntaur, Janjangbureh, and Basse Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Participants at several training locations praised the capacity-building programs, emphasising that the topics covered will greatly enhance their lives and living standards, especially for women and youth.
Officials from the National Nutrition Agency assert that the SBCC sessions will enable participants to gain essential knowledge while fostering the adoption of beneficial behaviors within their communities. The SBCC will be implemented by community entities such as Village Support Groups, Mothers Clubs, Kabilo Bama, and Male Action Groups, with oversight, coaching, and mentoring provided by the Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTs).
