The European Union and CRS The Gambia Launch The Disability Inclusive Pathways Project

BANJUL, THE GAMBIA, 17 January 2026 – Today, the European Union and Catholic Relief Services officially launched the Disability Inclusive Pathways: Empowering Children with Disabilities Through Education, Technology, and Play project. 

The new project is funded by the the European Union (EU). It will be carried out for a duration of 30 months in partnership with the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), National Organization for Disabled and Orphans (NODO), and Special Olympics The Gambia to. The initiative will empower children with disabilities by offering them educational support to foster their social inclusion.

The project targets 12 selected schools across the Kanifing Municipality, West Coast, and North Bank Regions. Through tailored interventions, it will strengthen learning environments, encourage participation and play, integrate assistive technologies, and build the capacity of schools, communities, and institutions to support children with disabilities.

The launch convened government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, school authorities, community leaders, parents, and children. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that every child in The Gambia, regardless of ability, has access to quality, inclusive education.

EU ambassador Imma Roca i Cortés stated: “Children with disabilities are not defined by their limitations, but by their potential. When we invest in inclusive education, accessible technology and supportive communities, we invest in a future where every child can learn, thrive and contribute fully to society.”

“Children with disabilities in The Gambia continue to encounter a range of challenges that can affect their access to quality education, including social attitudes, infrastructure limitations, availability of assistive devices, and the need for strengthened capacity for inclusive learning,” said Dr. Amulai Touray, Country Manager for CRS The Gambia “Through enhanced capacity building for teachers, school administrators, and the Gambia National Rehabilitation Center , alongside early intervention initiatives, this programme seeks to promote independence and improve educational outcomes for children with disabilities nationwide. The generous and timely support from the European Union is instrumental in paving the way for more inclusive education and directly contributes to the Government of The Gambia’s National Development Plan objective of achieving universal access to education for all.” 

Catholic Relief Services has been supporting activities continuously in The Gambia since 1964 and has long-standing relationships with partners and communities. CRS’ current programming in the Gambia includes work in malaria, agricultural livelihoods, microfinance, migration and peace building, with a particular focus on youth, which makes CRS uniquely positioned to implement this project.