How our Waste-to-Use Challenge is fast-tracking circular economy innovation in The Gambia

News

Author: Holly

Published: 23 September 2024

Imagine what can be achieved when you bring together over 200 people who share a common purpose of wanting to solve their country’s growing waste crisis.

Earlier this month, members of our Circular Economy Network in The Gambia were joined by local dignitaries, and health specialists to launch our second Waste-To-Use Challenge.  The event was generously hosted by the British High Commission in Banjul and The High Commissioner, Harriet King, officially launched the challenge.

The Network, funded by the UK’s Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) aims to fast-track circular economy initiatives by supporting innovative green businesses with training and investment. Helping sustainable businesses to scale will tackle the environmental impact of waste and create economic opportunities that can support The Gambia’s green recovery.  This innovation challenge showcases how much of a resource waste can be by offering grassroots entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to access business training and mentoring that would otherwise be impossible.

The competition will conclude in December with a pitch day where finalists will pitch their newly developed business plans to an expert panel.  The panel will select the best enterprises who will then receive an investment to help take them to the next level.

Last year’s finalists included a plastics recycling business, an organic biofuel enterprise, and a recycled textiles clothing company.  We are excited to see just what kind of businesses we will be supporting this year.  Open to all members of  WasteAid’s Gambia Circular Economy Network, the challenge offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to secure up to £12,000 of funding as well as training.

This type of challenge is relatively unique, conceived by WasteAid on the back of 2020’s Zero Waste Cities Challenge.  Although there are innovation challenges around the world, none intervene at this level and in the countries where WasteAid is present.  WasteAid’s experience of delivering 2020’s challenge, which targeted enterprises that were already on the way to becoming successful green businesses, made the charity evaluate further its approach.

The critical question was how can local solutions and businesses be supported to scale in the countries where we work earlier in their journey to give them a greater chance of success. Also, how can WasteAid support in contexts where entrepreneurship is particularly challenging in areas where access to finance and business support is difficult?  It was in response to these questions that the grassroots competitions in The Gambia were born.

Our Waste-to-Use launch event was attended by 70 key individuals spanning the waste value chain. Guests included members of our Circular Economy Network, local mayors, government officials, members of the Medical Research Council, local business people, and representatives from WasteAid. This launch marked the opening of the challenge to applications.

This year’s challenge specifically addresses textile, plastic, and organic waste – waste streams that have been identified by the network members as particularly challenging. These businesses will preferably be pioneering ways to recover, reuse and ultimately divert waste from landfill, while also creating livelihood opportunities for communities in the Greater Banjul Area.

Vicky Rollinson, Country Manager (The Gambia), said: “Thank you to everyone who came along to the launch of our Waste-to-Use Challenge. We look forward to engaging with

the circular businesses involved in this initiative and continuing our efforts to develop a thriving circular economy in The Gambia.”

Harriet King, British High Commissioner to the Gambia said: “The Gambia has made excellent progress in recent years towards resolving its waste management challenges. This is no small feat, and it is heartening to see WasteAid, with the support of the UK’s Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, take this important step to support the professionalisation of the sector. It is an honour to be hosting an event celebrating an initiative that is doing so much to drive positive change here in The Gambia”.

Six businesses will be selected to receive tailored business training and mentoring. The challenge will culminate with the participants pitching their business idea to a panel of judges for a chance to secure a share of the £12,000 investment.