The EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project is a Team Europe initiative commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European union (EU) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The project supports ECOWAS institutions and Member States in strengthening peace, security, democratic governance, and regional integration across West Africa.

The project is jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Expertise France (EF), and Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIAP), combining the comparative advantages and technical expertise of the three implementing partners to support ECOWAS and its institutions under the Team Europe Approach.

Under its Electoral affairs Component, the EPSG Project supports efforts aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, electoral integrity, citizen participation, and the capacity of electoral stakeholders across the ECOWAS region. In close collaboration with ECOWAS, the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), and other relevant stakeholders, the project contributes to the promotion of credible, inclusive, transparent, and peaceful electoral processes. 

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia, established under the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, is mandated to conduct and supervise public elections and referenda, register voters, determine electoral procedures, and undertake all activities necessary for the administration of democratic elections. As part of preparations for the 2026 Presidential Election and the broader 2026–2027 electoral cycle, the IEC has identified the need to further strengthen the technical and operational capacities of its personnel and selected electoral stakeholders to effectively respond to emerging electoral challenges and deliver elections in accordance with national, regional, and international standards.

Against a backdrop of evolving electoral challenges, including increasing public expectations, technological advancements, information integrity risks, and the need for greater inclusivity and transparency, continuous professional development of electoral practitioners remains essential. Without sustained capacity-building, electoral institutions risk inconsistencies in the application of electoral procedures, reduced operational efficiency, and diminished public confidence in the electoral process. Strengthening the knowledge and competencies of electoral officials is therefore critical to enhancing institutional preparedness, safeguarding electoral integrity, and promoting peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections.

In preparation for these electoral activities, the IEC submitted a request for capacity-building support through ECONEC, highlighting priority areas requiring institutional strengthening. Following consultations between the IEC, ECONEC, and the EPSG Project, it was agreed that a BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training programme would provide the most appropriate framework for addressing these needs.

The capacity-building programme will focus on the following three thematic areas:

• Electoral Integrity and Legal Framework;

• Inclusive and Stakeholder-Centred Elections; and

• Operations and Results Management.

To accommodate the operational realities of the IEC during a critical electoral period, the training programme will be delivered through three staggered modules between August and September 2026, allowing participants sufficient time to absorb, apply, and cascade knowledge while maintaining their ongoing electoral responsibilities