E.U Funded ‘CSOs Actors of Governance & Development’ Launched

The “Civil Society Organization Actors of Governance and Leadership” has been set in motion on Wednesday in The Gambia. The program is to increase the participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and promote environmental sustainability with a focus on labor-intensive work.

The project will support 30 CSOs, 600 Women horticultural growers, 75 farmers’ field school facilitators and 50 members of the Activista youth network, and 18 young female solar technicians from the Central River Region and North Bank Region.

The European Union Ambassador to The Gambia Corrado Pampaloni said Civil Society Organizations are crucial development partners for the EU. They are often the closest to the people and best placed to know their needs. “Over time, their role in development cooperation has grown from implementing partners to active partakers in advocating on the decision-making processes.”

Ambassador Pampaloni added that the project is an excellent example of how Civil Society can play a pivotal role in strengthening good governance, accountability, and social cohesion while tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

“Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are assets and key actors of development of any country. In The Gambia, the change of regime in 2017 unleashed their potential,” said Ambassador Pampaloni.

The Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Lamin Dibba, said the project would ensure the active participation of the Civil Society Organization (CSOs) in tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. “CSOs are there to support and complement the effort of the national development process of both the public and private sector because their role cannot be overemphasized.” 

Lamin Dibba added that strong civil society organizations require accountability and good governance. “CSOs are not only to criticize but to criticize mindfully and contribute to the national development progress of the country.”