The AGREEN Gambia project (Building the capacity of TVET in The Gambia to boost Climate-Smart Agriculture), coordinated by INFODEF, was officially launched in Banjul, The Gambia, from 15 to 17 April 2026. The kick-off meeting brought together partners from The Gambia, Spain, Croatia, and Ireland to begin a 30-month Erasmus+ Capacity Building in VET project focused on strengthening vocational education and supporting the transition towards Climate-Smart Agriculture.
Co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, AGREEN Gambia aims to enhance the capacity and relevance of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in The Gambia, contributing to sustainable rural development, improved food security, and greater climate resilience, particularly among young people and women in rural communities.
AGREEN Gambia brings together a diverse partnership of organisations from The Gambia and Europe. Alongside INFODEF as coordinator, the consortium includes the Ministry of Youth and Sports of The Gambia, The Gambia College, the Gambia Startup Chamber of Commerce, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia), and INNOQUALITY Systems (Ireland). The partners will work closely to strengthen cooperation between education providers, public authorities, employers, and entrepreneurship support organisations, helping to ensure that vocational education responds to the country’s evolving needs.
During the three-day meeting, partners discussed the implementation of the project’s activities and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. Key topics included the creation of a Gambia-EU Community of Practice, the development of a national reference curriculum on Climate-Smart Agriculture, the design of innovative training resources for educators and learners, and strategies to strengthen links between vocational education and the labour market.
The official launch event brought together representatives from national institutions, the European Union Delegation, TVET providers, and private sector stakeholders. Participants highlighted the importance of investing in skills development to address youth unemployment, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable agricultural development.
Speaking at the event, EU Deputy Head of Mission Raphael Brigandi underlined the importance of vocational education as a driver of opportunity, resilience, and empowerment, while emphasising the role of skills development in supporting sustainable rural development. Representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports highlighted the project’s contribution to modernising the TVET system through innovative teaching approaches, digital learning tools, and stronger connections between education and employment.
Over the next 30 months, AGREEN Gambia will focus on improving the quality and responsiveness of TVET provision, strengthening the capacities of educators, promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture, and supporting green, digital, and inclusive entrepreneurship. Through these actions, the project aims to create new opportunities for learners, educators, and rural communities while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for The Gambia.
