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Think Local, Be Sustainable

 

The case for local sourcing

The daily import of materials, products, expertise and ideas in our highly connected world comes along with some challenges we have to face. In this blog, we aim to shift the gaze from global to local and argument why local sourcing can be a sustainable advantage in the long run.

Why buy local? 

Procuring and buying local products, materials and expertise has many advantages over importing from abroad. 

Among them: 
  • short ways of transport are good for the environment 
  • promoting locally made products and businesses generates more income for a community 
  • employing local knowledge and expertise creates jobs, which support families 
  • the materials and solutions are adapted to the local climate and context 
  • easy maintenance is possible without bringing in a team of experts 

Buying local enables little businesses to act more independently. And creating jobs with a steady income gives young people a chance to build up their capacities and sustain themselves.

How we promote it? 

Since 2019, IOM The Gambia has actively contributed to promoting local knowledge, materials and techniques by initiating the Building Together pilot project. 

Over 119 days, the project explored ways to employ artisans, engaging youth in workshops and building with local resources while renovating two Migration Information Centres (MIC), at the youth centres in Soma-Pakalinding and Basse. 

Here are 3 of the many challenges we decided to tackle, and the locally adapted solutions we came up with.