Banjul –  16 August 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) and The Gambia National Youth Council (NYC) held the official handed over grant to 25 young entrepreneurs under the empowerment component of the CinemArena project.

CinemArena is a "mobile cinema" initiative funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented by IOM Italy in many Western and Northern African countries, including The Gambia, where the activities have been specifically carried out by IOM The Gambia. The Project provides a set of outdoor events, organized in rural and urban areas, with projection of films, documentaries and testimonies. The aim is to ensure outreach and to carry out educational and information campaigns on the risks of irregular migration and its alternatives in the most remote and disadvantaged areas.

The current project, which has two main components – an informative component and an empowerment component, aims to ensure a broad dissemination of educational messages;  engage and empower local communities, returning migrants, potential migrants, and diaspora through their active involvement and inclusion in capacity building and training initiatives; and actively involve media as change agents to disseminate the right information on irregular migration risks and on socio-economic opportunities available.

The grant, under the empowerment component supporting these youth-owned startups and existing enterprises seek to address some of the drivers of irregular migration in The Gambia – including the lack of employment and other opportunities and the low income.

“This round of the CinemArena project is very unique as it does not raise awareness on the dangers of irregular migration, but also seeks to address the menace through economic empowerment of young people,” Basiru Secka, Principal Labour Economist, MOTIE.

Of the 25 grant beneficiaries were selected out of over 450 applicants:

• Thirteen (13) out of the twenty-five (25) beneficiaries are women owned.
• The businesses are startups and existing initiatives.
• The businesses are from agribusiness, bakery, environmental protection, food processing to handicraft, horticulture, piggery, tailoring and waste management.
• They are innovative using local materials while contributing to addressing climate change.
• At least a beneficiary from each of the seven (7) regions of The Gambia.

“Today, we are witnessing an important occasion for many reasons, but what is really fulfilling for us and our government counterparts, is addressing one of our most unfortunate issues – irregular migration, which is costing the country many of its young people – through youth economic empowerment,” Emmanuel Murwisi, IOM The Gambia Chief of Mission. “We are certain that you will all use these grants to boost your business, inspire your fellow young people, create employment opportunities and contribute to addressing irregular migration,” he added.

CinemArena project aligns with IOM’s strategic vision as well as The Gambia Government’s  Green Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (NDP 2023-2027) and the United Nations The Gambia Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024-2028.

“This grant is more than just financial assistance. It’s a testament of your confidence in our ability to innovate and contribute to national development through scaling up our businesses and create jobs,” Kaddijatou Badjie, beneficiary. “With the support, we have  an opportunity to expand our businesses, make positive impact by contributing to the socio-economic advancement of our communities. We’re particularly grateful for the focus on empowering young people and women – two important constituents of our society,” she added.

For more information, please contact:

 Lamin W. SANNEH, IOM The Gambia’s National Communications Officer. Email: lasanneh@iom.int