MSDG Project: Diaspora-led technical assistance to government

Since 2017, much of The Gambia’s progress in developing formal mechanisms to engage the diaspora has taken place in the framework of the aforementioned MSDG project. 14 This project is unique in being a diaspora-led and diaspora co-financed technical cooperation programme, spearheaded by diaspora-owned consulting firm and social enterprise, GK Partners, in the UK – receiving additional co-financing from the Swiss government at various stages of its implementation. This public-private-diaspora partnership operates a symbiotic relationship with the state, allowing the MSDG project to marry private-sector agility and arms-length capacity to engage the diaspora, with the state competencies required to create institutions, policies and laws that facilitate diaspora engagement. The MSDG project is expected to continue for a fourth phase.