The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Italian Embassy in Dakar participated in the Green Employment Fair in Kolda, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of the reintegration project for returning migrants in Senegal, funded by the Czech Republic. Twenty businesses from the Saint Louis region, beneficiaries of the intra-regional migration promotion project funded by AICS and implemented by IOM, also participated with a dedicated stand. In addition to these businesses, the project includes vocational training for 100 young people in the agri-food sector, more than half of whom have already completed their training.
The Migration for Development Program (MDP) is a regional initiative involving four countries—Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau—aimed at promoting youth employment, local socio-economic development, and fostering regular and orderly mobility between these four nations. The green economy is seen as a key driver for development and job creation for young people, serving as a response to irregular migration.
Guinea was the guest of honor at the fair. Two businesses supported by MDP also had exhibition stands, highlighting the project’s importance in addressing migration challenges at a regional level. During the event, several young participants trained under this initiative were awarded as winners of a pitch competition.
The event featured a strong Italian presence, including two companies (Engreen and Irritec), the Cinemarena project funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NGO COSPE with its green economy projects—including two decentralized cooperation initiatives (from the Municipality of Bitonto and the Emilia-Romagna Region)—and the NGO VIS, which contributed to the organization of the event.
The fair took place in an area where Italian Cooperation has had a long-standing presence. AICS is actively engaged in Casamance (in Kolda and Sédhiou) through rural development initiatives managed by the Senegalese Ministry of Agriculture (MASAE).
