MAJaC and partners launch a three-month “Innovate to Combat Emigration” project, which aims to unlock potentials through training and creating employment opportunities for young people. 

The project is a mini grant that seeks to equip MAJaC and partners, the Gambia Media Support-GAMES (a Danish-based media development organisation) with relevant information, understanding and insight of what is needed in terms of media and its related fields to help curb irregular migration.

Sang Mendy, the Managing Director of MAJaC says The Gambia, like many African countries, continues to struggle with irregular migration, despite small its population. 

“We are on this fact-finding mission of taping ideas and collecting information to enable us apply for funding that will build the capacity of more young people in areas such as communication and public relations, creative and graphic designs, film and photography, digital media development and management, media innovation and entrepreneurship etc., aside our flagship journalism training programme,” Mendy stated. 

Modou S. Joof, Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union recognises the importance of the initiative, and highlights the significant role that MAJaC and GPU play in combating irregular migration. 

“In 2021 and 2022, we (GPU) conducted trainings on migration reporting, to enable journalists to understand the dynamics and context of migration,” Joof added.  

During the three-month period, MAJaC officials will hold series of meetings and consultations with civil society organisations, youth groups, the media, national and international organisations involved in the fight against irregular migration. 

The purpose of these meetings with the mentioned stakeholders is to harvest ideas, action points and proposals on how to combat irregular migration through training.

At the end of the project, an action plan would be developed to promote communication, creative design, media, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills training opportunities for youths, and offer alternatives to irregular migration.  

The joint response would create a civic platform to combat irregular migration from The Gambia to Europe.