The salty breeze off the River Gambia carries the sound of hammering and the buzz of saws through the streets of Barra. This small ferry town, once known primarily as a waypoint for those leaving The Gambia in search of opportunity, is now humming with a new energy. At the heart of this transformation is a story that began with one young man's journey and has grown into a community-wide renaissance. In 2016, Baboucar Saho was just another face in the crowd of young Gambians boarding rickety boats bound for Europe. "I remember the day Baboucar left," recalls Modou Touray, 62, a village elder. "The air was heavy with desperation. So many of our young people were leaving, taking our future with them." Like many others, Baboucar's journey ended abruptly on the shores of Libya. But his return to Barra in July 2017 marked the beginning of a new chapter, not just for him but for the entire community. "When I came back, I felt like a failure," Baboucar admits, his eyes reflecting the memory of those dark days. "But the International Organization for Migration (IOM) showed me that my journey wasn't over – it was just beginning." Through IOM's reintegration program, Baboucar was connected with the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), a joint initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Gambian government. In September 2017, he received a life-changing scholarship to pursue chef training. Baboucarr Sallah, ITC's head in The Gambia, explains the project's approach: "We don't just provide training. We create a support system that allows young people to dream big and achieve those dreams right here at home." As Baboucar threw himself into his studies, something unexpected began to happen. His determination and growing success changed how Barra's youth viewed their futures. Fatou Darboe, 19, enrolled in a YEP-sponsored tailoring program in 2019. "Seeing Baboucar succeed made me think, 'Why not me?'" she says, her fingers deftly guiding fabric through a sewing machine. "Now, I'm not just learning a trade. I'm building a business." The impact of these programs is tangible. Amadou Jallow, owner of Barra's largest grocery store, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. "Five years ago, I struggled to find qualified staff," he says, gesturing to his bustling shop. "Now, I have young people with real skills applying for jobs. It's changing how we do business." But the change goes beyond economics. As more youth find purpose and opportunity at home, Barra's social fabric is strengthening. Isatou Njie, a teacher at Barra's secondary school, notes a shift in her students' attitudes. "Before, when I asked about their dreams, so many talked about leaving," she says. "Now, they talk about building businesses and improving our community. It's like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders."This renewed sense of possibility is reflected in the town itself. New shops line the main street, their fresh paint a stark contrast to the faded buildings around them. A community centre, funded partly by successful YEP graduates, offers classes and workspace for budding entrepreneurs. Baboucar, now head chef at a popular restaurant in Banjul, returns to Barra regularly to mentor young people. "Success means nothing if you can't share it," he says, addressing a group of eager faces at the community centre. "Each of you has the power to lift this community. I'm living proof of that." The ripple effect of Baboucar's journey and the UN interventions that supported him continues to expand. In 2022, Barra was selected as a pilot site for a new ITC initiative to develop sustainable tourism along the River Gambia. "Five years ago, this opportunity would have seemed impossible," says Modou Touray, the village elder. "Now, it feels like the natural next step in our community's growth." As the sun sets over the river, casting a golden glow on Barra's transformed streets, laughter drifts from a new café. Inside, a mix of locals and the town's first trickle of international tourists share meals and stories. Fatou Darboe, taking a break from her sewing, sips a coffee and reflects on her community's journey. "Baboucar showed us what was possible," she says. "But it's all of us, working together and believing in our future here, that's truly transforming Barra." She pauses, her gaze drifting to a group of children playing outside. "Who knows? Maybe one of them will be the next to inspire us all," she smiles. "That's the beautiful thing about hope – it grows." The story of Barra's transformation is a powerful testament to the far-reaching impact of targeted UN interventions. By investing in one young person's potential, programs like IOM's reintegration support and YEP's training initiatives have sparked a wave of change that continues to lift an entire community. In the faces of Barra's youth, once shadowed by uncertainty, now shines the light of possibility – a light that promises to guide The Gambia towards a brighter future. *Except for Baboucarr Saho and Baboucarr Sallah, all names in this story have been anonymised.

From Migrant to Chef: Baboucar's Journey of TransformationThe aroma of spices filled the air as Baboucar Saho, 24, expertly flipped a sizzling pan in the bustling kitchen of Banjul's premier restaurant. Just three years ago, this scene would have been unimaginable for the young man from Barra, a small ferry town on the north bank of the River Gambia."I used to watch the ferries come and go, dreaming of escaping to a better life," Baboucar recalls, his eyes distant. "In Barra, opportunities were as scarce as rain in the dry season."In 2020, at the age of 21, Baboucar made a decision that nearly cost him everything. Joining the wave of young Gambians seeking opportunities abroad, he embarked on the perilous "backway" journey to Europe."The journey was a nightmare," Baboucar shudders, his voice dropping. "We were packed into a small boat like sardines, the sea threatening to swallow us whole. When the Libyan coast guard intercepted us, I felt both relief and despair."Returned to The Gambia with nothing but the clothes on his back, Baboucar found himself at a crossroads. It was then that he encountered the International Organization for Migration (IOM)."I was broken, ashamed to face my family," Baboucar admits. "But the IOM staff treated me with dignity. They listened to my story without judgment and told me about opportunities I never knew existed."The IOM, recognizing Baboucar's potential, connected him with the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), a joint initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Gambian government. YEP offers vocational training scholarships to young Gambians, aiming to address the root causes of irregular migration.Fatou Mbenga, YEP Program Coordinator, explains, "Our goal is to show young Gambians that they can build successful lives right here at home. By partnering with IOM, we can reach returnees like Baboucar who need support to reintegrate and thrive."For Baboucar, the YEP scholarship was a lifeline. He enrolled in a rigorous 18-month chef training program, discovering a passion he never knew he had."The first time I created a perfect Benachin [a traditional Gambian dish], I felt a sense of pride I'd never experienced before," Baboucar grins. "I realized I could create something beautiful, something that brought joy to others."Baboucar's dedication paid off. He graduated top of his class in December 2022 and quickly secured an internship at one of Banjul's top restaurants. His supervisor, Chef Isatou Ceesay, is impressed: "Baboucar's drive is exceptional. He's not just learning; he's innovating, blending traditional Gambian flavors with modern techniques."The impact of the YEP program extends beyond Baboucar's professional success. "I'm able to send money home to my family now," he says proudly. "And I'm saving to open my own restaurant someday, where I can train other young Gambians."Baboucar's transformation reflects the broader changes happening in The Gambia. Since 2017, YEP has provided vocational training to over 2,500 young Gambians, with a 70% employment rate among graduates. The program has also contributed to a 20% decrease in irregular migration attempts from the country since 2019.As the sun sets over Banjul, casting a golden glow through the restaurant windows, Baboucar reflects on his journey. "Three years ago, I thought I had to leave The Gambia to find success. Now I know that with the right support and opportunities, we can build a brighter future right here at home."He pauses, then adds with a smile, "My next goal? To create a signature dish that puts Gambian cuisine on the world map. Who knows? Maybe one day, people will be coming to The Gambia just to taste my cooking!"Baboucar's story is a powerful testament to the impact of collaborative UN interventions. By addressing the complex challenges facing Gambian youth through holistic, partnership-based approaches, programs like YEP are not just changing individual lives – they're helping to shape a more prosperous and stable future for the entire nation.

Halfway to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline, the world faces a stark reality: progress is too slow, uneven, and fragmented. At current rates, we will miss our targets by decades. The reason? Persistent siloed approaches that fail to account for the deep interlinkages between the goals.To accelerate progress, we need a paradigm shift. We must recognise that the challenges we face — poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change — are not isolated issues but interconnected symptoms of a broader systems crisis. Tackling them effectively requires an integrated approach leveraging the SDGs’ synergies.This is where the UN’s “six transitions” come in. By focusing on transforming six key systems — food, energy, connectivity, education, employment, and the environment — we can catalyse change across all the SDGs, unlocking a cascade of co-benefits.Imagine the impact of aligning food systems with nutrition needs: we could fight hunger, improve health, boost cognitive development, and increase productivity all at once. Or consider the transformative potential of clean energy: by expanding access to electricity, we could power better education, healthcare, and livelihoods while combating climate change.Food systems remain the key to sustainable developmentBut realising these synergies requires more than just good intentions. It demands coordinated action to rewire the very machinery of development. That’s why the UN has committed to four “engine room” strategies to drive the six transitions:1. Providing integrated policy advice to break down silos and foster coherence across sectors.2. Developing pipelines of bankable projects to translate ambitious plans into concrete investments.3. Convening diverse partners to mobilise the finance and expertise needed to take solutions to scale.4. Strengthening institutional capacities to sustain progress over the long haul.This may sound complex, but an analogy may help illustrate.If the SDGs are our collective destination, the six transitions represent the most efficient routes to get there based on the latest evidence and innovations. The engine room actions are how the UN is helping the vehicle navigate those pathways. Like a GPS continuously recalculating the fastest itinerary, integrated policy advice helps steer the best course forward. Bankable projects are the fuel to propel momentum, while mobilised financing represents a smooth, well-paved road. Institutional capacity is like a skilled driver and well-tuned engine to keep the journey on track.This is the approach the UN in The Gambia is taking.Take food systems. By developing the nation’s first Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, training farmers in climate-smart practices, and linking them to school feeding programs, the UN has helped farmers like Awa Jallow double yields, diversify diets, and achieve food security.Strengthening resilience to climate change requires a systems approachIn education, an integrated strategy combining catch-up learning, enrolment drives, and targeted support has helped over 16,000 children gain or regain access to school.A transformative education system is key to success.Cross-cutting initiatives on gender equality and youth empowerment dismantle barriers to women’s leadership and livelihoods, unlocking multi-dimensional dividends.A systems approach to gender equality is key to the six transitions' successThese are promising proof points. But they are still just a start against the scale of the challenges — pervasive poverty, stark inequalities, and accelerating climate impacts. We need to scale up the six transitions quickly to transform trajectories truly.That will require mobilising action across every sector and at every level. It will require breaking down the silos in our strategies and our mindsets. Above all, it will require a spirit of solidarity and shared resolve.Mobilising resources for bankable projects is vitalThe Gambia shows what is possible when the UN and partners pull together behind an integrated approach. But it is only one piece of a much larger puzzle.We must make the six transitions a genuinely global endeavour to deliver on the SDGs. We need to rally governments, businesses, civil society, and communities everywhere to the cause of systems change. And we need to do it now.Time is not on our side. The costs of inaction — human and ecological — rise with each passing day. But if we can muster the collective courage to rise above business as usual, a better future is still within reach.We are at a crossroads, and time is not on our sideA future where no one goes hungry, and everyone can thrive. Where clean energy powers inclusive progress, and a healthy planet sustains us all. Where every child has the chance to learn, and every person can live with dignity.This is the promise of the SDGs. The six transitions can help us keep it. But only if we embrace their transformative power and scale them up while we still can.

The rhythmic sound of chopping and the sizzle of pans fill the air as I, Chef Amadou Samba, 52, survey the bustling kitchen in his restaurant in Banjul. After 30 years in kitchens across West Africa and Europe, I thought I'd seen it all. But in January 2021, a young man from Barra named Baboucar Saho walked into my kitchen and changed my perspective on the power of culinary education.I first heard about the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in late 2020. In a country where youth unemployment hovers around 40%, their approach intrigued me: using culinary training as a tool for economic empowerment. Sceptical but curious, I agreed to mentor some of their students."When Baboucar first arrived, he was like a sponge," I recall, smiling at the memory. "His eyes were everywhere, taking in every detail of the kitchen. But it was when he first picked up a knife, I knew we had something special."Baboucar's journey to my kitchen was far from typical. In 2017, he had attempted the dangerous "backway" migration to Europe, only to be returned to The Gambia. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) connected him with YEP, setting him on a path that would lead to my kitchen."I remember him telling me, 'Chef, I used to think I had to leave The Gambia to find opportunity. Now I realize the opportunity was here all along – I just needed the skills to seize it,'" I share, my voice thick with emotion.Over the next 18 months, I watched Baboucar transform from an eager novice into a confident, skilled chef. His talent for blending traditional Gambian flavours with modern techniques was remarkable."One day, he presented a dish of domoda, our traditional peanut stew, but reimagined as a delicate soup with a peanut foam," I recount, closing my eyes as if tasting it again. "The flavours were familiar, but the presentation was worthy of any fine dining restaurant worldwide."But it wasn't just Baboucar's culinary skills that impressed me. As he progressed, he began mentoring other students, sharing techniques and encouragement equally."In Baboucar, I saw a reflection of my younger self," I admit. "But he possessed a vision for community impact that, I'm ashamed to say, I lacked at his age."Baboucar's commitment to lifting others as he climbed became clear one sweltering afternoon in August 2022. As we prepared for a large event, one of the younger students struggled with a complex dish."Chef," Baboucar approached me, wiping sweat from his brow, "may I work with Fatou on this? I think I can help her master the technique."For the next hour, amid the chaos of a busy kitchen, Baboucar patiently guided Fatou through the process. By the end, Fatou had completed the dish, and the pride in her eyes mirrored the satisfaction in Baboucar's."That's when I fully understood the power of programs like YEP," I explain. "They're not just teaching cooking; they're cultivating leaders."The impact of YEP's culinary program extends far beyond individual success stories. Since its inception in 2017, the program has trained over 200 young Gambians, with an impressive 80% employment rate among graduates. More than just jobs, these young chefs are reshaping The Gambia's culinary landscape."Five years ago, finding skilled local chefs was a challenge," I admit. "Now, I have a waiting list of talented young people eager to work in my kitchen. It's transforming our industry."As Baboucar completed his training in December 2022, graduating at the top of his class, I reflected on my journey. "In nurturing Baboucar's talent, I rediscovered my passion for mentoring," I share. "It's not just about creating great food anymore; it's about creating opportunities."Inspired by Baboucar and the YEP program, I've partnered with local restaurants to create an apprenticeship program for aspiring chefs from disadvantaged backgrounds. Baboucar, now a sous chef at a prestigious hotel in Banjul, is a critical collaborator in this initiative."Watching Baboucar teach our first group of apprentices, I see the future of Gambian cuisine," I say, my chest swelling with pride. "He's not just passing on recipes; he's passing on hope."As the sun sets over Banjul, casting a warm glow through the kitchen windows, Baboucar and I stand side by side, putting the finishing touches on a new dish we've created together – a fusion of Gambian and French cuisines that we plan to feature at an upcoming food festival."You know, Chef," Baboucar says, carefully plating the dish, "I dreamed of cooking in Paris when I was younger. My dream is to make Banjul a culinary destination that rivals Paris."Looking at the beautiful plate before us, a testament to tradition, innovation, and the power of opportunity, I can't help but believe that Baboucar's dream is not just possible – it's already becoming a reality.As I watch him guide another young apprentice through the complexities of the dish, I'm filled with hope for the future of The Gambia's culinary scene. Programs like YEP are doing more than just teaching cooking skills; they're nurturing dreams, building confidence, and creating a new generation of leaders who will shape the future of our country, one dish at a time.In Baboucar Saho and the many young chefs like him, I see the critical ingredients for a brighter, more flavorful future for The Gambia. And I can't wait to see – and taste – what they create next.* All names except for Baboucar Saho have been anonymised.