The Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Team (MDFT) held the two-day sensitisation on the Community Driven Development Project (CDDP) concept and operational modalities, recently.

In his welcoming remarks, the Community Development Officer for CRR North, Mr. Bukary Gaye, said that the sensitisation of the MDFT, who are the key factors in the implementation of this project, is crucial because it is linked directly with the local communities. He added that the MDFT has contributed greatly in the effective and efficient implementation of the project. This project will be community focused with about 60% of the total investment committed directly to community development.

For his part, the Capacity Building Manager, Mr. Bala Musa Kijera, said that the CDDP is a project of the Gambian Government. It is financed by the World Bank and has a life span of five years.

According to him, the CDDP targets rural communities in all 88 wards and about 600 villages in the six rural Local Government Areas: Kerewan, Kuntaur, Janjanbureh, Basse, Mansa Konko and Brikama. The estimated number of beneficiaries is 435,000, which is about 50% of the rural population of The Gambia. He added that CDDP aims to build on existing systems for village and ward planning that can be applied country wide under the guidance of the empowered Local Government Area Councils, as well as the ward and village Development Committees. He added that the planning process will not only empower the VDGs, WDGs and LGCs but it will also strengthen community based organisations in and around the villages.

Mr. Kijera said the MDFT will act as a link between the CDDP, the Area Council and the villages and in addition they will facilitate the preparation of village and ward Strategic Development Plans (SDP) and sub projects.

The Grant Facility Manager, Mr. Balla Musa Konateh who has exhausted all the topics on the agenda, facilitated the workshop. Mr. O. Jawla, Community Development Assistant (CDA), gave the vote of thanks.