Jobs, skills and cash for youth in Gambia

The programme is aimed at stabilizing the economic, social and security situation of the country during the democratic transition, with a specific emphasis on promoting gender equality and addressing climate change.

With a budget of 16,000,000 EUR, the programme is aimed at creating 3,000 direct jobs for youth, through a combination of grants, technical assistance and convening power.

The programme is aimed at increasing employment of women and youth through green and resilient economies – by supporting local authorities, and communities to develop climate resilient investments that, in turn, can create job opportunities for vulnerable groups.

The JSF Programme in The Gambia is rolling out the local climate Adaptive Living Facility for locally led climate adaptation, designed by UNCDF.

It is also out to improve opportunities in education and skills development for women, youth and MSMEs – by providing support to TVETs and other local training providers to improve the quality, and accessibility of vocational training schemes offered to youth and women, which will be linked to job opportunities, and key sectors of economic opportunities at the local level.

It will increase access to inclusive finance – by using a market systems approach to support the development and scale-up of targeted financial services and products, particularly for women and youth, and the development of financial inclusive markets.

The Gambia is one of three components of the Jobs, Skills and Finance youth in the country programme funded by the European Development Fund.

The programme is helping to stabilize the country’s economic, social and security situation during its democratic transition by facilitating the social inclusion and employment of youth and women, with a specific emphasis on promoting gender equality and addressing climate change.

JSF operates through two components: Job creation for youth, women and local communities and equal access to employable skills development, and  improved access to finance.

Activities undertaken as part of the first component, featuring the performance-based climate resilience grant (PBCRG) approach, aim at creating jobs, particularly in the green economy.

This program will positively impact life in the image of many young unemployed Gambians who used to spend time brewing and drinking green tea.

Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Y. Badjie welcomed the new Mandela Washington Fellows before their departure to the United States of America (USA).

The young Gambian leaders embody leadership and are ready to drive positive change.

They will engage in one of three tracks: public management, civic leadership, or business leadership.

This prestigious six-week program, held annually in the United States, provides young African leaders with opportunities for development, networking, and making an impact.