The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) has concluded a two-day stakeholder engagement session on the Skills for Innovation and Employability (SIE) Fund, calling on all tertiary and higher education institutions in The Gambia to submit quality proposals under Windows 1 and 2 of the Fund.
The session, held on 11 and 12 August 2025 at MoHERST’s Conference Hall in Kanifing, brought together representatives from 103 public and private institutions registered under the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA). The SIE Fund is a core component of the World Bank-supported Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity (RISE) Project, designed to boost skills development, employability, and socioeconomic growth in The Gambia.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation, Samba Sowe, opened the engagement. He stressed the importance of timely submission of proposals with all required documents, noting that verification visits would be conducted to confirm accuracy before evaluation by the Technical Advisory Committee and final approval by the Project Steering Committee.
“The award of grants will be based on the merit of proposals, particularly their graduation and employability potential,” Sowe stated. He added that an Independent Reviewer will monitor the evaluation process and report directly to the World Bank, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The SIE Fund prioritises sectors such as Agriculture, Engineering, Tourism, Business, and Creative and Performing Arts. It operates through three windows: Enhancing TVET Capacity, Promoting Relevant Skills Development, and Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship. Windows 1 and 2, which are currently open, focus on strengthening institutions, upgrading facilities, training programmes, and aligning skills development with industry needs.
In closing, the SIE Fund Secretariat pledged continued administrative support to institutions throughout the application process. MoHERST also expressed appreciation to the World Bank for supporting national efforts to build human capital and institutional capacity for sustainable development.
