By Fatou Bojang
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in partnership with ActionAid International – The Gambia (AAITG) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), recently launched a pioneering National Youth Database, a digital platform designed to track youth participation, empowerment, and civic engagement across the country.
The initiative forms part of the UNPBF-funded project “Empowering marginalised young people for inclusion in civic space and local infrastructures for peace,” implemented by ActionAid and its partners, including the Department of Youth and Sports, the National Youth Council, Activista, Global Platform Gambia, and the Safe Home for Migrants Association.
Bakary Y Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports, described the database as a milestone in evidence-based governance and youth inclusion.
He said the platform would enable the ministry, development partners, and youth organisations to access reliable information on young people involved in sports, entrepreneurship, and community initiatives.
“This marks a major step forward in our collective effort to empower young people and promote inclusive participation in national development. For the first time, we have a platform that allows us to obtain vital data that will help us make informed decisions,” Minister Badjie said.
Abass Bah, Director of Youth and Sports, said the database would serve as a central hub for information, helping track youth participation in programmes across the country.
“By a click of a button, you will have all these data points that can help make a positive impact,” he noted.
This innovative database will serve as a central hub for youth data, providing government institutions, development partners, and civil society organisations with access to credible, up-to-date information on youth participation in governance, entrepreneurship, sports, and peacebuilding.
It represents a major step forward in The Gambia’s efforts to promote data-driven decision-making, transparency, and inclusive national development.
Ndella Faye Colley, Executive Director ActionAid, said the initiative reflected ActionAid’s commitment to data-driven development and youth inclusion. “The database is not just about numbers; it is about visibility, accountability, and empowerment,” she said.
She added that accurate and inclusive data would help policymakers design effective interventions and ensure that young people, including those in rural and marginalized communities, are not left behind.
She further noted that the initiative aligns with ActionAid’s Country Strategy Paper VI (2024–2028), which prioritises youth inclusion, feminist leadership, and climate justice, particularly for young women, persons with disabilities, and rural youth.
The Youth Database tracks youth participation, guides evidence-based planning, and strengthens coordination among stakeholders.
It supports peacebuilding by identifying and addressing youth-related conflicts and has already reduced community disputes through greater youth engagement in local governance.
