By Haddy Touray
The Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA), along with its eight-member Local Councils and stakeholders, last week convened a two-day workshop aimed at reviewing and enhancing resource mobilisation strategies for itself and for local councils across the country.
The event, which took place at a local hotel in Kotu, brought together local council representatives, government officials, and various stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to securing funding and resources for community development.
The workshop underscored the critical role of effective resource mobilisation in achieving sustainable development at the local level. “As local governments, we face numerous challenges in funding our initiatives. This workshop is an opportunity for us to come together, share experiences, and develop strategies that will empower our councils to better serve our communities,” GALGA President Mahamadou Ceesay said at the opening.
The workshop was supported by the EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative, while the development of the resource mobilisation strategies was supported by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), through the European Union as part of the project “Strengthening Local Government as an Actor in Development”.
Participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions, focusing on the current landscape of resource mobilisation in The Gambia. Discussions highlighted the challenges faced by GALGA and local councils, including limited financial resources and the need for capacity building among council staff.
“Strengthening local resource mobilisation is not merely a financial imperative—it is a governance milestone,” says James Monibah, the EU-UNDP the GREAT Initiative project manager.
Mr Monibah added that these strategies are intended to support local councils in planning and managing their development efforts with greater autonomy and transparency, while also fostering citizen trust and participation.
During the two-day engagement, participants emphasised the importance of diversifying funding sources, including grants, public-private partnerships, and community-driven initiatives. “Local councils must think creatively about how to engage with the private sector and leverage community resources,” said Ousman Sonko, lead consultant and managing partner of Manager’s Prescription Consultancy services.
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the identification of specific strategies to enhance collaboration between local councils and stakeholders. Participants discussed the potential for establishing partnerships with non-governmental organisations and international development agencies to access additional funding and technical support.
The workshop also emphasised the importance of community involvement in resource mobilisation efforts, observing that engaging citizens in the planning and implementation of projects would not only foster a sense of ownership but also would encourage local fundraising initiatives.
