Resilience Gambia Project International Technical Assistance to the MECCNAR

Timeframe

February 1, 2025 - February 28, 2030

Duration

5 years/50 PM

As of

April 2025

Sustainable
Development

Funded by:

AFD (Agence Française de Développement)

Introduction

The Gambia hosts a rich coastal and riverine biodiversity associated with mangrove ecosystems, located mainly along the lower reaches and estuary of the Gambia River. These ecosystems play an important ecological, economic and social role by offering numerous services, including harvesting of wild resources, protection against erosion and marine submersion, and water decontamination. Nearly half of the country's population depend on the resources associated with mangrove lands.

The Project

Climate change and human activities threaten these mangroves, driving an urgent need for restoration to curb erosion, sustain ecosystems, and support coastal communities. The Resilience Gambia Project focuses on conserving The Gambia’s mangrove ecosystems along the Gambia River. The main problems that the Project intends to address are organized in four main categories: governance, strategic planning capacities, protected areas management effectiveness and local sustainable development with considerations to gender.

Project Objectives

Cross-sectoral collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building is emphasized, aiming for a resilient mangrove ecosystem that supports both biodiversity & community livelihoods:

Enhancement of Legal & Policy Framework
Mangrove Restoration
Governance & (Co-) Management of (new) MPAs
Development of Value Chains & Alternative Income

Our Contribution

The overarching aim of the ITA assignment is to deliver sustained and interdisciplinary support to the Project Management Unit (PMU) across all project endeavours.

Our two experts in particular serve as strategic advisors to MECCNAR and the DPWM, providing expert guidance and technical input for project planning and coordination, as well as fostering effective planning, management, and evaluation of MPAs.
Facilitating the enhancement of the national legal and policy framework for coastal adaptation and resilience at both national and local levels, with a focus on integrating mangroves into public policies and national strategies.
Providing institutional support and capacity building for diverse stakeholders engaged in the sector.
Assisting in project management and implementation processes.
Documenting and disseminating the experiences and insights gained from project activities.