REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF A 4-YEAR STRATEGY PLANS FOR 3 COUNCILS

ActionAid International The Gambia (AAITG) received funding from the United Nations (Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund), to implement a two-year project with the aims of expanding the inclusion of rural youth, including the marginalized (young women, PWDs and Survivors of Trafficking in civic space and local infrastructure for peace, leaving no one behind in peacebuilding for social cohesion.  This is envisaged to strengthen the actual representation of youth in decision-making structures at the local level (District Tribunals, Village Development Committees and Ward Development Committees).  It is a well-established fact that Area Councils are the primary agencies for development in their respective regions. Therefore, it is anticipated that the taxes they collect can be reinvested in local development matters, including youth-related initiatives. Although some of the councils have developed Strategy Plans, some of these plans are not only outdated but also not youth-responsive.  Therefore, there is a need to support the development of their strategies to be youth responsive and inclusive, as councils have very minimal youth participation and inclusion in the Councils.