ADDIS ABABA, DECEMBER 1 – The Embassy of Italy in Ethiopia has signed on Friday the grant financing agreements with selected Ngos for a total amount of 14 million Euros for the “Stemming Irregular Migration in Northern and Central Ethiopia – SINCE Programme”.
Financed by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa with a total budget of 20 million Euros, the programme aims at reducing irregular migration from Northern and Central Ethiopia by improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable population, including potential migrants and returnees, with specific focus on youth and women.
As stated by the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Arturo Luzzi, “With the signature of the agreements, SINCE Programme enters the operational phase with the implementation of the activities which will last 24 months”. He also added: “The migration issue is crucial for both Europe and Africa but first of all for the dignity of human beings. We have a common responsibility to protect and save lives and fight the criminal networks”.
The Implementing partners, which include Ethiopian, Italian and other International Civil Society Organizations, will carry out activities in order to foster greater economic and employment opportunities, by establishing inclusive economic programmes that promote employment opportunities, especially for young people and women with a focus on rural towns and urban areas, particularly Addis Ababa, in the most migration-prone regions of Ethiopia (Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region and Tigray) identified also with the technical assistance of ILO and UNIDO during the Inception phase of the Programme.
The Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Addis Ababa, Ms. Ginevra Letizia, responsible for the technical assistance of the Programme, indicated that “SINCE will create the conditions for a better access to decent work and will improve the living conditions of the population living in the areas of implementation of the Programme”. (@OnuItalia)