Ostend city council visits Gambian sister city Banjul
Ostend has had a city link with the capital of the Gambia, Banjul, since 2003. Both cities work together in different domains. “The twinning between Ostend and Banjul is truly unique. It is an honor to see with our own eyes how major steps are being taken in the field of waste policy, urban greening and digitization,” says Bart Tommelein. “We want to highlight our city twinning even more and continue to work together in the future.”
Future perspective with subsidy
In 2019, the City of Ostend received 3 million euros in subsidy resources from the European Union for the city link, on top of the existing operating resources. With these European subsidies, Banjul is fully committed to urban greening, climate control, a better waste policy, social inclusion and innovation. The European project started in early 2020 under the name ‘City Link Ostend Banjul: Partnership for Sustainable City Development’. (Read more below the photo.)
Alderman of Humans & Environment Silke Beirens: “This is the largest subsidy we have ever received. We are making a big difference in all kinds of areas with this locally and giving young generations an attractive future perspective. Banjulians are proud of their city, just like the people of Ostend .”
To ensure good governance in Banjul, the project provides scholarships for local city government staff. In addition, local aldermen, members of neighborhood committees and employees of the city administration are given the opportunity to follow training courses and efforts are being made to digitize the administration.
A greener Banjul
With the money, Banjul has planted 5,000 coconut trees and 1,000 other tree species on the beach to combat coastal erosion. In this way the beach forms a buffer against the rising sea level. The city center is currently getting a green makeover. For this, the Gambian capital is calling in several local schools to plant another 5,000 additional trees.
“It is great to see how the young trees are taken care of by the local population. They have made the project their own and are very proud of it. Natural coastal defense is only one asset. The trees also provide natural products and increase the local biodiversity,” says Alderman Beirens.
clean city
To keep the Gambian coastal city clean, the City purchased two new garbage trucks and nearly 6,000 new public trash cans. The waste collectors also received new safety clothing and training. The Banjul garbage site will be completely fenced and initiatives will follow on composting and recycling plastic.
Next, the project focuses on Crab Island, a vacant school building that will become a future center for sustainable development. The existing school buildings at this location are currently being sustainably renovated. Radio Banjul; a music, arts and multipurpose center; various start-ups working on sustainable economy; an ICT and smart lab; initiatives around recycling and allotments will find a home on Crab Island.