The European Union (EU), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and national institutions, has concluded a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Certification Programme aimed at strengthening results-based governance across The Gambia’s public sector.
The graduation and closing ceremony, held on 14 May 2026, marked the completion of a training programme that brought together participants from 13 key institutions across the justice, governance and security sectors.
These included the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights Commission, Gambia Police Force, Immigration Department, Prison Service, NAATIP, NALA, ADRS, and local government bodies.
The cohort recorded 43% female participation. Speaking at the ceremony, EU Deputy Head of Mission Raphaël Brigandi underscored the importance of embedding monitoring and evaluation systems within public institutions to improve accountability and service delivery.
He noted that M&E functions are often fragmented or informal, stressing the need for stronger data collection and effective use of evidence in decision-making.
“Monitoring and evaluation is not merely a technical exercise; it is the foundation of transparency, accountability, and better service delivery for citizens,” he said.
UNDP Resident Representative Sainey Ceesay also emphasized the importance of results-based governance, saying strong M&E systems are essential for delivering public services that respond to citizens’ needs.
He noted that participants had moved from fragmented understanding to a shared resultsbased approach that strengthens planning, accountability and institutional performance.
Participants described the programme as transformative. Fatoumata Jallow from the Judiciary said the training marked a shift in mindset. “We have moved from a culture of reporting to a culture of learning.
We are departing not just with certificates, but with a mandate to create measurable value for citizens,” she said.
Counsel Ugar from NALA also highlighted the practical impact of the training, noting improved skills in designing indicators and measuring outcomes to enhance service delivery and access to justice.
The EU and UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting The Gambia’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, democratic governance and evidence-based public sector reform through the GREAT Project.
