The Gambia chapter of Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN Gambia) is to stage its first ever award meant to recognise the efforts of enterprising youth in rural Gambia.
The overall aim of RYA2017 is to identify, promote and elevate successful young women and men who, despite all odds, are channeling their creativities, energies and passion to contribute in making a change their communities and societies.
Scheduled to take place at the Agricultural Rural Farmers Training Centre in Jenoi, Lower River Region (LRR) on the 29th April 2017, the theme of the award is ‘WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS: We need them to produce, process and market the food that will feed the world’.
The Award categories are: Young Farmer of the Year; Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Young Business Idea of the Year; Young Emerging Business of the Year; Young Information Technology Enterprise of the Year; Young Commercial Farmer of the Year; Young Agribusiness of the Year; Young Social Media Campaigner of the Year; Best Business Innovation of the Year and Young Business Partner of the Year.
The event is being organised with the financial and logistical support of the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) The Gambia, European Union Trust Fund for Africa, the National Agricultural Land and Water Management Development Project (Nema), and National Youth Council (NYC).
The Rural Youth Award committee believes that rural youth have a key role to play in reversing the threats of agriculture, climate change, food security and related issues.
“The award would recognise and celebrate the efforts and successes of rural youth in entrepreneurship in the areas of agribusiness and information technology.
RYA2017 would also showcase talented rural youth on entrepreneurship, agribusiness and information technology and would also serve as a platform to promote gender equality and inclusiveness” the statement noted.
They key expected outcomes of RYA 2017 includes supporting rural youth business plans, providing 6 months mentorship for the awardees, supporting rural youth with enterprise development opportunities, and supporting increased agricultural production and productivity, access to markets and services.
Global Youth Innovation Network Gambia Chapter (GYIN Gambia) is a national youth network operating across the country and has been implementing a number of youth projects in the country.