On 23rd June 2014, FANDEMA - a local NGO that participated in the KF and drew inspiration from the experience organised a small KF event at its headquarters and invited the general public including the SGP to its range of products and services. Among the exhibitions were a cooking demonstrations using different energy-saving stoves by REAGAM and Green Tech Vision who had received support from SGP.
The fair will provide a platform for the sharing of useful experiences, innovations and best practices and thus build capacities among CSOs.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The project emphasized the importance of including sustainable livelihoods in the projects to ensure their continuation after SGP funding ends.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The project has invited the private sector participation notably from individuals, companies, banks, micro finance institutions whose participation will likely provide innovative financial mechanisms
Policy Impact
The project will have an impact on both local and national policies as it is outcome on the results of SGP and other partner innovations are likely to be replicated by others.
Notable Community Participation
There was a high involvement of the communities all across the country during the entire planning process. The SGP beneficiaries and partners in the communities took place in the planning and fair itself and this was a key to the success of the Knowledge fair.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
This project will provide an excellent opportunity to create awareness on the issues of the global environment and show concrete examples of local solutions to these environmental issues.
Project Results
- Three (3) planning meetings were held between WASDA and GEF-SGP officials to map out the way for the Knowledge Fair scheduled for mid March 2014.
- The activities undertaken in preparation included the following:
1. Identifying the knowledge needs of the target participants and visitors and defining the country specific goals and outcomes of the Knowledge Fair.
2. Preparing a list of SGP grant recipients and other CBOs/NGOs/CSOs that can show, exhibit, and share successful practices and innovations from projects.
3. Preparing a list of practitioners and experts that will be asked to make presentations and be trainers or facilitators in workshops.
4. Looking for supporters from the entertainment industry that can participate in concerts and shows to raise public awareness.
5. Preparing a media list and engage the media for national wide coverage.
The Knowledge fair took place from 11 - 13 march 2013 in the town of Basse in the Upper River Region. A total of 203 individuals were registered for the event coming from diverse organizations across the country and neighboring republic of Senegal.
Seventeen (17) presentations were made by the following organisations:
GEF SGP-Gambia ? ?The role of SGP in funding community-based environmental initiatives and Actions? (covering eligibility criteria, focal areas and proposal formats).
Bee Cause Gambia ? 2 presentations made: ((1). ?Promoting apiculture in rural Gambia? and (2) ?Useful products from honey?).
West African Bird study Association (WABSA) ? ?Experiences on mangrove regeneration?.
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) ? ?Promoting low-cost environmentally- friendly building technology in The Gambia?.
Renewable Energy Association of The Gambia (REAGAM) ? ?Promoting energy-efficient cooking stoves.
Association for the Advancement of Women and Children (ADWAC) - ?ADWAC?s experiences in mitigating climate change?.
Women?s Initiative The Gambia ? ?Plastic waste recycling?.
US Peace Corps ??Experiences in environmental management and gardening schemes in rural Gambia?.
Freedom From Hunger Campaign ? ?Experiences in Soil and water conservation interventions for food security?.
Beakanyang Kafo ? ?Climate Change mitigation at the grassroots level?.
Green Tech Vision: ?Promoting groundnut shell briquettes among women fish smokers to curb land degradation in 3 fishing communities?.
Kiang West Kumu Doku Kafo ? ?Bee conservation as a strategy for biodiversity conservation and income generation ? experiences from Kiang West District?.
Wuli and Sandu Development Association ? ?Experiences in agroforestry and dry season rice schemes in the Upper River Region?.
FANDEMA ??Promoting youth empowerment in The Gambia- experiences from a Spanish-support NGO?.
