Strengthening The Gambia’s diaspora engagement capacities
The Gambia recognises its diaspora as a key development partner, approximately 10% of Gambians live abroad, and remittances contribute around 30% of GDP, highlighting the diaspora’s significant economic contribution. Beyond remittances, Gambians overseas contribute valuable skills, entrepreneurship, international networks, and investment potential across sectors such as trade, tourism, and professional services.
To strengthen these links, diaspora engagement has been progressively institutionalised through the 2017 Diaspora Strategy, the establishment of the Diaspora and Migration Directorate (DMD) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the integration of diaspora priorities into key national frameworks, including the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027), the National Migration Policy (2020–2030), and the Labour Migration Strategy. The ongoing review and update of the Diaspora Engagement Strategy, reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing policy coherence, clarifying institutional roles, and operationalising diaspora engagement through a structured action plan.
This project supports the DMD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by combining tailored training with the conceptualisation of a concrete diaspora outreach initiative. In doing so, it strengthens institutional capacity, supports the practical implementation of the revised Diaspora Engagement Strategy, and enables more sustainable and long-term engagement with the Gambian diaspora.
Programme of activities
A tailored adaptation of the EUDiF's modular course ''Economic Diplomacy and the Role of the Diaspora'' will be undertaken based on consultations, policy reviews, and assessments of institutional capacities and training needs. The process will ensure that the course is aligned with The Gambia’s institutional priorities and operational realities, while supporting coherence with the ongoing revision of the Diaspora Engagement Strategy.
A tailored training programme delivered in person in Banjul, The Gambia. The training will be supported by a structured assessment process, including continuous evaluation and a final practical assignment, to ensure that participants are able to apply learning outcomes to concrete diaspora engagement initiatives.
A diaspora outreach initiative will be developed through a hybrid process combining on-site activities in Banjul, The Gambia, and online support. Participants will engage in a facilitated co-design workshop and a series of online coaching sessions, complemented by technical guidance and feedback, to refine the initiative and prepare for its independent implementation within 3–6 months.