Launch of the WACA Livelihoods Program

WACA Livelihoods in Action: Building Resilience Beyond Flood Protection

The West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Project in The Gambia, funded by the World Bank, goes beyond flood mitigation to strengthen livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities—particularly around the Kotu Stream area.

Alongside critical flood risk reduction works, WACA invests in sustainable income opportunities for youth and women, ensuring that climate resilience translates into tangible economic benefits for households and local economies.

Date: 23rd December
Venue: Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre

What the Livelihoods Component Focuses On

Linking Flood Protection to Economic Opportunity
WACA integrates livelihood development into flood risk reduction efforts, enabling communities to adapt, recover, and grow rather than simply withstand climate shocks.

Youth and Women at the Centre
The project prioritizes inclusive economic empowerment through:

• Skills development and entrepreneurship training aligned with market needs

• Youth employment pathways, particularly in sectors such as rice production, offering viable local alternatives to irregular migration

• Support for women-led enterprises, including access to finance through Village Banking and similar financial inclusion models

Climate-Smart Agriculture
By working with local producers and initiatives in resilient rice farming, WACA promotes sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity while safeguarding ecosystems.

Strong Institutional Linkages
The livelihoods interventions align with national programmes such as the ROOTS Project under the Ministry of Agriculture and draw on international expertise and financing from partners including the World Bank, EU, and UNCDF.

Why This Event Matters

This event provides a platform to share lessons, showcase results, and strengthen collaboration around livelihood-centered climate resilience—placing people, productivity, and sustainability at the heart of coastal protection efforts.