Young people, who make up over 77% of the population, are central to stability in The Gambia.
Initiatives are shifting youth from the margins to the forefront of peacebuilding, specifically through national action on youth and security and grassroots organisations driving national reconciliation and sustainable development.
National Action Plan (NAP-YPS): Launched by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, this framework ensures young people have a formal seat in decision-making and peacebuilding efforts.
It explicitly targets economic exclusion and social marginalization as drivers of conflict.
Transitional Justice and Reconciliation: Youth-led initiatives continue to help the country heal following the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) process. Programs like youth in motion help young people champion human rights and intergenerational dialogue.
Peace Ambassadors – The Gambia (PAG): A prominent grassroots organization with chapters across all administrative regions that cultivates the spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among youth.
Peace Hub The Gambia (PHTG): Founded to foster social cohesion, this organization provides safe spaces for young people to engage in peacebuilding and transitional justice.
Meanwhile, with over 77% of The Gambia's population under the age of 35, young Gambians are the driving force behind the nation's peace and stability.
Their engagement is heavily focused on democratic transition, socioeconomic empowerment and transitional justice.
The Government of The Gambia established the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2250 to ensure young people have a seat at the table in decision-making and conflict prevention.
Developed through consultations with over 2,000 young Gambians, it explicitly targets youth exclusion, unemployment, and marginalization.
Economic exclusion remains one of the largest drivers of fragility in the country. Programs backed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) focus on boosting rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and skill-training to secure stability.
Youth organisations work alongside the government to implement recommendations from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
