By Adama Nyang
UNDP in collaboration with REFELA- The Gambia Chapter through support from UN Office for South -South Cooperation and partners are rolling out the Youth Volunteerism Initiative for the youth of Banjul.
The initiative is intended to enhance access to decent work for youth through volunteerism and skills development. Capacities of the youth will also be built through South-South and triangular cooperation support exchanges between REFELA The Gambia and other cities and institutions in developing countries.
Speaking at the validation ceremony at the Ocean Bay Hotel, Lord Mayoress of Banjul Rohey Malick Lowe says that the initiative is a significant step towards the effort of the Banjul City Council to break the gapbetween education and unemployment in the community of Banjul.
She further said that by alienating the educational initiatives with the demand of the job market, the BCC is not only empowering its residents with the skills and knowledge they need but also to foster a competitive economy that benefits the people of Banjul and The Gambia.
“I am confident that through our collective efforts we will chef towards a brighter future where every young individual has the opportunity to realize a full potential and contribute meaningfully to the community prosperity. Once again thank you for your commitment to this important endeavor,” remarked Mayoress Lowe.
She concluded by encouraging the youth to proceed with optimism and determination to work together to build a stronger, more resilience work force and put the challenges and opportunities that lied behind.
The UN Country Representative in The Gambia, Madam Nadisa Mashologu for her part said that one of the important things of the pilot program was to work on in particular initiative and engagement.
“When we are talking about the kinds of jobs, sustainable jobs that we want to have to march you as the youths and leaders of this country, we want to make sure that the areas where there is a need and possibility for growth and engagement. If there are opportunities in getting into IT, opportunities to look into technology, the tourism sector, ensuring that full security and everything else is taking care of in this country,” said Marisa.
She continues to encourage the youth to connect with each other of opportunities, while urging them to read, research on opportunities and enhancing more skills. “You need to be learning something each and every day. You need to be asking questions and never get afraid of constructive challenges as that will help you to excel as they are forms of encouragement for betterment. You need to be involved in businesses,” she advised the youth.
The Youth Volunteerism is a project which aims to scale-up volunteerism and entrepreneurship for employment and skills development. To increase the capacity and skills of the youth in The Gambia to find decent jobs through volunteerism, as well as through south-south and the triangular cooperation support exchange. In this project an online platform will be developed, and capacity development training will be conducted for youth volunteers. Youth will also be supported to play an important role in contributing to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to address future crises effectively.
A key intervention will be support to the local-level development authorities to establish and facilitate a framework for volunteer activities as well as mechanisms for recognizing their contributions.
