GYIN Gambia to offer mentorship to high-potential entrepreneurs

[Banjul, The Gambia– 20th October 2017]

The Global Youth Innovation Network Gambia Chapter (GYIN Gambia) and The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) have signed a grant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the purpose of providing one-to-one mentoring to high-potential young entrepreneurs.

Global Youth Innovation Network Gambia Chapter (GYIN Gambia) is a national youth organization under the National Youth Council (NYC). GYIN Gambia has been implementing a number of youth projects related to agribusiness, information technology and entrepreneurship. Under the MOU, GYIN Gambia will match Gambian youth entrepreneurs with mentors who will provide individualized coaching. In addition, all mentors and mentees will meet monthly in a workshop to share experiences and to learn from one another.

The aim of the mentorship programme is to boost Gambian rural entrepreneurship and agribusiness. The programme supports young people in their efforts to establish sustainable investments in order to become self-reliant. It is anchored on coaching and career counselling rather than the single method of structured trainings. The mentoring programme is a part of a larger entrepreneurship development programme that includes recognition of young entrepreneurs through yearly Rural Youth Awards and specific training camps for upskilling young and aspiring entrepreneurs.

About YEP

The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a four-year project that aims to supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship in the country to address the economic root causes of irregular migration. It is funded by the European Union (EU) Emergency Trust Fund for Africa with a total budget of EUR 11 million. By improving the employability of youth, especially potential and returning migrants, increasing income opportunities along value chains and helping young entrepreneurs to connect to trade and tap into the digital economy, this project aims to change the current migration trends and contribute to building the long-term growth and economic competitiveness of The Gambia.

About ITC

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. The organisation’s aim is for businesses in developing countries to become more competitive in global markets, speeding up economic development and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Trust Fund

The European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa addresses the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. More specifically, it helps address the root causes of destabilisation, forced displacement and irregular migration by promoting economic and equal opportunities, strengthening security, development and resilience of vulnerable people.

For more information, please visit:

Website: https://yep.gm/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yepgambia/

Twitter: @YEPGambia

Hash tag: #YEPGambia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yepgambia/

Media enquiries, please direct to:

Fatou Mbenga Jallow

Project Coordinator and Senior Technical Adviser – Gambia YEP

Tel. +220 3616993; +220 9662895

fjallow@intracen.org / yep@intracen.org

Mamadou Edrisa Njie

Executive Director – GYIN Gambia Chapter

Tel: +220 3938929; +220 6181700; +220 3546917; +220 2502929;

edrissanjie@gyin.org / gambia@gyin.org

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