By: Haruna Kuyateh
4H Norway is currently on a two-week study tour in The Gambia, gathering information and engaging with 4H Youth Clubs in the North Bank and Central River Regions. The delegation, which includes 17 volunteers and two technical officers, organized a two-day seminar on Friday with 4H Gambia staff, volunteers, and board members.
The theme of the seminar was “Innovation for Sustainability,” focusing on the role of 4H Gambia and 4H Norway in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study tour provided the opportunity for the group to learn about 4H Gambia’s activities and the impact of its projects in local communities.
The seminar took place at the Gambia Songhai Initiative Agricultural Training Centre in Chamen, North Bank Region.
Gibriel Dem, National Board Chairman of 4H Gambia, emphasized the importance of the partnership with 4H Norway, noting that it has significantly contributed to promoting shared learning and South-South cooperation. He described the seminar as crucial, as it helps both visiting volunteers and their Gambian counterparts gain a broader understanding of the SDGs and adopt common approaches to building stronger partnerships.
Alieu Ceesay, Program Director of 4H Gambia, highlighted the partnership’s positive impact on youth empowerment, climate change initiatives, and entrepreneurship, among other areas. He explained that the study tour is part of a biannual visit organized by the parent organization in Norway, with the ultimate goal of empowering youths to engage in innovative ventures that will improve economic well-being and foster community development. Director Ceesay expressed gratitude to 4H Norway for their invaluable support over the past 30 years and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the organization through ongoing partnership-building.
Tor Brekke and Solveig Karlsen Bjorlo, technical volunteers from 4H Norway, praised the management and board of 4H Gambia for their exceptional performance in resource mobilization, good governance, accountability, and partnership building. The duo shared that 4H Norway has learned a great deal from their Gambian counterparts, particularly in areas such as the implementation of revolving loan schemes, tree nursery management, and small ruminant breeding. Senior officials from 4H Norway assured that the cooperation between the two organizations will continue to grow in the coming years.
As part of their visit, the volunteers spent two days with their host families to experience village life and the local culture within 4H intervention sites. The group also had the opportunity to tour the Songhai Center and expressed satisfaction with how the center is promoting agroforestry and biogas use in climate-smart agricultural production to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Musa Chaw, Finance and Admin Officer, provided a detailed presentation on the organization’s achievements and challenges. He thanked 4H Norway for their support in mobilizing resources for the construction of office space in Farafenni and noted the organization’s success in strengthening 4H clubs, improving access to agricultural inputs, and advocating for human rights and immunization in collaboration with various institutions and organizations.
Mbye Saine, Centre Manager of the Gambia Songhai Initiative, thanked both 4H Gambia and 4H Norway for their focus on achieving the SDGs. He used the occasion to call on individuals to plant fruit trees and nitrogen-fixing plants to combat the effects of climate change. He also urged 4H management to train youth in quality seed selection techniques and stressed the importance of fostering positive behaviors toward environmental restoration and preservation.
Through this collaboration, 4H Gambia and 4H Norway continue to work together to promote sustainable development, empower youth, and combat climate change.