Status: Published

Classification: Window 2

Category: Scholarships

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PUBLIC NOTICE NO. SIEF-W2/2025
SKILLS, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING GRANTS TO TVET INSTITUTIONS

Project Background:

The Gambia, with its vibrant youth population and commitment to development, is poised for a promising future, yet faces several challenges. One critical area is the need to equip young people with job-relevant technical and vocational skills to meet the demands of a dynamic labour market. The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), has prioritized the improvement of youth employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and inclusive national growth.

To respond to this, the Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project – P197233), funded by the World Bank, is supporting the implementation of the Skills, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Fund. The Fund is designed to expand access to quality skills training, promote equity, and enable young Gambians to transition into gainful employment or self-employment.

The RISE Project is coordinated by the Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU) at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), MoHERST, and the National Nutrition Agency/National Social Protection Secretariat (NaNA/NSPS).

Objectives of Window 2:

The Training Grants Window aims to:

• Provide scholarships and stipends to Gambian youth to access accredited TVET programs.
• Support inclusion by ensuring access for disadvantaged groups, women, and the physically challenged.
• Strengthen regional participation by providing additional support for transport and accommodation to students enrolled in institutions outside the Greater Banjul Area.
• Increase the employability of graduates by promoting training in labour-market–relevant fields such as:
  • Agriculture
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Business, Creative and Performing Arts
  • Other accredited disciplines aligned with national needs.

Expected Results of Window 2:

• Beneficiary institutions under Window 2 are expected to:
• Enroll students into NAQAA-accredited certificate and diploma programs.
• Ensure that at least 80% of students complete their training.
• Maintain a drop-out rate not exceeding 20% per course.
• Achieve an employability rate of at least 70% within six (6) months of program completion.
• Facilitate equal access to training opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.

Eligibility Requirements:

TVET institutions applying for Window 2 must:

• Be registered and accredited by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).
• Have accredited certificate or diploma programs aligned with the Gambia National Qualifications Framework (GNQF).
• Possess sound financial management systems and be in good standing with financial institutions.
• Have a regularized tax and social security status.
• Not be in default on previous grants or financial support from similar funds.

Deadline:

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, 31st August 2025 at 12:00 PM.
Late applications will not be considered.

Submission of Applications:

Applications must be submitted electronically as one PDF document to: siefmoherst@gmail.com