Call for Strengthening SPS Systems and Food Safety Control (Gambia)

The European Union (EU) has launched a Twinning Call for Proposals with a total budget of EUR 1,000,000 to strengthen the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) in The Gambia. The 18-month project aims to improve sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems, strengthen food safety controls in the horticulture sector, and align national food safety standards with EU and international requirements.

EU Twinning Call for Proposals

The European Union is inviting eligible Public Administrations and Mandated Bodies from EU Member States to participate in a Twinning project that will enhance food safety governance and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems in The Gambia.

The initiative is implemented under the “Accelerating the Sustainable and Inclusive Transformation of Agri-food Systems in The Gambia” programme and seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, improve regulatory frameworks, and modernize food safety systems for the country’s horticulture sector.

Program Overview

Program Name: EU Twinning Call for Proposals – Strengthening SPS Systems and Food Safety in The Gambia

Funding Organization: European Union (EU)

Implementing Partner: Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), The Gambia

Programme: Accelerating the Sustainable and Inclusive Transformation of Agri-food Systems in The Gambia

Program Type: EU Twinning Project

Total Budget: EUR 1,000,000

Project Duration: Up to 18 months

Project Location: The Gambia

Program Objectives

The project aims to:

• Strengthen the institutional capacity of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA).
• Improve sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems.
• Enhance food safety and quality control in the horticulture sector.
• Align national food safety practices with EU and international standards.
• Strengthen food inspection and regulatory enforcement.
• Build technical expertise in food safety risk assessment and management.
• Improve legal and regulatory frameworks governing food safety.

Focus Areas

The Twinning project supports activities related to:

• Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.
• Food safety management systems.
• Food quality assurance.
• Horticulture sector development.
• Institutional capacity building.
• Regulatory reform.
• Legal framework development.
• Inspection and control systems.
• Risk assessment.
• Food safety governance.
• Technical capacity development.
• Compliance with EU and international food safety standards.

Funding Details

The programme provides:

• Total available funding: EUR 1,000,000
• Implementation period: Maximum of 18 months

Funding will support technical cooperation, institutional strengthening, expert exchanges, capacity development, regulatory improvements, and implementation of Twinning activities.

Project Implementation

Activities will be implemented throughout The Gambia and will focus on strengthening the country’s food safety infrastructure and institutional capabilities.

The project forms part of broader efforts to modernize agri-food systems, improve public health, facilitate trade, and strengthen agricultural competitiveness.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are restricted to:

• Public Administrations from European Union Member States.
• Mandated Bodies from EU Member States as defined in the EU Twinning Manual.

Applications must be submitted through the respective National Contact Point (NCP) of each Member State.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must ensure that:

• They are an eligible Public Administration or Mandated Body.
• The proposal complies with the EU Twinning Manual.
• The application is submitted through the designated National Contact Point.
• Only one proposal is submitted per EU Member State.
• The prescribed application format and procedures are followed.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Operational capacity of the proposed project leadership.
• Qualifications of the Resident Twinning Adviser.
• Experience of the Project Leader.
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology.
• Previous experience in international cooperation projects.
• Overall quality of the Member State’s presentation.

Why This Programme Matters

Strong food safety systems are essential for protecting public health, improving agricultural productivity, and expanding international market access.

By strengthening SPS measures, regulatory systems, and institutional capacity, this Twinning project will help The Gambia improve food quality, enhance consumer confidence, facilitate exports, and align its horticulture sector with internationally recognized food safety standards.

How to Apply

Eligible institutions should follow these steps:

1. Confirm eligibility under the EU Twinning Manual.
2. Coordinate with the National Contact Point (NCP) in your EU Member State.
3. Develop a Twinning proposal aligned with the project objectives.
4. Identify qualified Project Leaders and a Resident Twinning Adviser.
5. Prepare the required technical methodology and implementation plan.
6. Complete the official application using the prescribed format.
7. Submit the proposal through the National Contact Point before the official deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve the quality of your proposal:

• Demonstrate strong institutional expertise in food safety and SPS systems.
• Present a clear and practical implementation methodology.
• Include experienced project leadership and technical experts.
• Show previous success in international cooperation or Twinning projects.
• Develop measurable outcomes and sustainable capacity-building activities.
• Align activities with EU food safety standards and international best practices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Submitting proposals outside the National Contact Point process.
• Failing to comply with the EU Twinning Manual.
• Providing an unclear implementation methodology.
• Proposing insufficiently qualified project leaders.
• Ignoring institutional capacity-building components.
• Submitting more than one proposal per Member State.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the EU Twinning Call for Proposals?

It is a European Union-funded initiative that supports cooperation between EU Member State public institutions and partner countries to strengthen public administration and institutional capacity.

What is the total funding available?

The project has a total budget of EUR 1,000,000.

What is the project duration?

The maximum implementation period is 18 months.

Who can apply?

Only eligible Public Administrations and Mandated Bodies from EU Member States may apply through their National Contact Points.

What sectors does the project support?

The project supports food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems, horticulture, regulatory development, inspection systems, and institutional capacity building.

How are proposals evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on operational capacity, technical methodology, project leadership, Resident Twinning Adviser experience, institutional cooperation experience, and overall proposal quality.

Why is this project important?

The initiative helps strengthen food safety governance in The Gambia, improve compliance with international standards, enhance agricultural competitiveness, protect public health, and support sustainable agri-food system development.

Conclusion

The EU Twinning Call for Proposals provides a EUR 1 million opportunity for eligible EU public institutions to support the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) in strengthening food safety and SPS systems across The Gambia. Through institutional cooperation, technical expertise, and regulatory development, the project will contribute to safer food systems, stronger horticultural value chains, and greater alignment with international food safety standards.