DDF Fellowship Summary
- DDF Project Title
1. Capacity for Rural Women Growers
2. Strengthening Diversity of Rural Enterprises- DDF Fellow Reference Number
- DDF17
- Fellow's Diaspora Country
Ireland
- Partner in The Gambia
Department of Community Development
- Geographical Coverage
- Rural
- Initial Project Period
- March 2026 – July 2026
- Main Project Results
To be updated
Challenges and Opportunities
One challenge was the limited time for the one-day training, which restricted how deeply key topics could be covered and left little room for hands-on activities and peer exchange. Some participants also needed further technical and business support afterwards, highlighting the need for continued follow-up.
The intervention gave aspiring entrepreneurs valuable opportunities to network and collaborate. AVISU’s involvement showed how local organisations can provide ongoing support, especially in CRR North and South.
Mbemba Jabbi (Ireland)
DDF17
About The Project
The Training of Trainers (ToT) on Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy and Life Skills was organised by the Department of Community Development (DCD) under the Productive Economic Inclusion (PEI) Component 3.1 of the Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity (RISE) Project. Held from 13th to 19th June 2026 at Mansawally Lodge at Pakalinding, the seven-day training brought together Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTs), Regional Community Development Teams and Central Level Staff.
Delivered in two phases, the training covered Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy from 13th to 15th June and Life Skills from 16th to 19th June. It equipped MDFTs with the technical knowledge, facilitation skills and training methodologies needed to conduct step-down trainings for VSLA members and PEI participants.
Using participatory adult learning approaches, the training covered enterprise development, business planning, financial literacy, savings culture, record keeping, and life skills such as self-awareness, communication, decision-making, leadership, time management, digital marketing, digital financial inclusion, gender-based violence, child labour and mental health, with key concepts translated into Mandinka, Wollof and Fula.
Regional movement plans were developed for North Bank, Lower River, West Coast, Central River North and Central River South Regions, targeting thousands of beneficiaries and coaches from 23rd June to 12th July 2026.
The Department of Community Development extends its appreciation to all facilitators, participants, regional teams and partners whose contributions ensured the success of the training, and remains committed to supporting sustainable livelihood enterprises, improved financial management and strengthened life skills across the project regions.
DDF Results and Impact
Twenty-four participants attended a one-day entrepreneurship training session, and all of them expressed their appreciation for the new insights they gained on entrepreneurship as well as the opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers. The training provided a valuable platform for participants to broaden their understanding of entrepreneurial concepts and to learn from one another’s experiences.
Following the training, four groups were identified among the participants. These groups subsequently received mentoring visits to their respective business sites, where they were provided with tailored guidance and support to help them apply what they had learnt and further develop their business activities.
