Italy Launches Pro-Impact Development Project in Dakar to Boost Vocational Training and Youth Employment
Dakar, January 19, 2026 – The Italian government, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), has officially launched the Pro-Impact development cooperation project in Dakar. This initiative is designed to bolster public policies in vocational training and facilitate the entry of young people into the labor market in Senegal.
Scientific Approach to Employment Policies
Pro-Impact adopts a scientific and multidisciplinary approach to assess the effectiveness of vocational training policies and youth employment strategies. Its primary objective is to generate robust data and statistical analyses that will inform the development of effective, responsible, and evidence-based employment policies in Senegal.
Collaboration Between Italian and Senegalese Institutions
A key component of the project is the scientific collaboration between Italy’s National Research Council (CNR) and Senegal’s National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD). This partnership was facilitated by the Italian Embassy in Dakar, specifically through its Scientific Attaché’s Office. The joint efforts of these two institutions are expected to enhance the skills of Senegalese researchers in collecting and analyzing data related to access to the formal labor market.
Strengthening National Statistical Capacity
By strengthening Senegal’s national statistical capacity, Pro-Impact aims to assist the Senegalese state in improving its labor policies and combating economic and employment precarity. This focus on data-driven policy-making is crucial for sustainable development and addressing the challenges faced by the Senegalese workforce.
High-Level Participation at the Launch Event
The launch event in Dakar was presided over by the Senegalese Minister of Labor and Vocational and Technical Training, Amadou Moustapha Ndiek Sarrè. Other prominent attendees included Abdou Diouf, Director General of ANSD, and Dr. Maria Elena Ragazzi from the Department of Human Sciences at CNR. The Italian Embassy was represented by the Deputy Head of Mission, Ludovico Banova, underscoring the importance of this project for bilateral relations.
Project Goals and Expected Impact
The Pro-Impact project is set to run for an unspecified duration, with a clear focus on long-term impact. By providing crucial data and analysis, it is anticipated to lead to more targeted and efficient vocational training programs, ultimately reducing unemployment rates among young people and improving overall economic stability in Senegal. The initiative reflects Italy’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and supporting sustainable development goals in partner countries.
This project is part of a broader framework of Italian cooperation activities that aim to support and strengthen public institutions and human capital in developing nations. The emphasis on data and evidence-based policy-making aligns with modern approaches to development, ensuring that interventions are tailored to specific needs and yield measurable results.
The collaboration between Italian and Senegalese experts is also expected to foster a valuable exchange of knowledge and best practices, creating a lasting legacy beyond the project’s direct implementation. This will help build a more resilient and skilled workforce in Senegal, contributing to the nation’s economic growth and social progress.
The Italian Embassy in Dakar has played a crucial role in bringing together the various stakeholders, highlighting the importance of diplomatic efforts in facilitating international development initiatives. The project’s success will be closely monitored, with regular evaluations planned to ensure its objectives are met and its impact maximized.
Source: https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/mondo/news_dalle_ambasciade/2026/01/19/lanciato-a-dakar-un-progetto-di-cooperazione-allo-sviluppo-finanziato-da-roma_c01b9599-4695-4f3e-8892-52ab15c0ab0d.html
