EU and ITC to launch the Gambia Youth Empowerment Project

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The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project  will officially be launched in Banjul on 9 February at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. This activity is a joint initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the European Union in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment. The goal of the project is to support employment creation and entrepreneurship opportunities for Gambian youth.

The four-year Youth Empowerment Project sets out to improve employment prospects for youth between the age of 15 and 35, increase income opportunities and help young entrepreneurs to tap into trade opportunities. Priority sectors include agriculture, tourism and the digital economy. A key aim of the project is to stem the current migration flow from the Gambia and contribute to the building of long-term growth and boost economic competitiveness.

The launch of the four-year project will be attended by senior officials from the Government of the Gambia, the European Commission and ITC. The project is funded by the European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and has a total budget of €11 million.

In addition to ITC, the European Union and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, key partners of the YEP include the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Youth Council, the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency, and the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.