Niamey (Niger) - The Italian Embassy in Niger, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) today (5 April) signed the agreement for the third phase of the IDEE project - Initiatives for Enterprise Development - aimed at increasing economic opportunities for Nigeriens as an alternative to irregular migration.

IDEE 3 will focus on youth entrepreneurship, helping them to create and expand sustainable activities. The Initiatives for Enterprise Development - IDEE project was launched in 2017, primarily targeting young Nigeriens and other vulnerable groups such as women and disabled people, and was followed by the second phase of the Initiatives for Enterprise Development - IDEE BRIDGE project in 2021.

Niger faces major challenges such as high youth unemployment, increasing demographic pressure, dependence on subsistence agriculture, vulnerability to adverse weather conditions and regional insecurity. This situation can lead to the phenomenon of irregular migration of young Nigeriens in search of better livelihoods, increasing their vulnerability to human trafficking and smuggling.

The new project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with technical assistance from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, has a budget of 4 million euros for a period of 36 months and aims to create economic opportunities for 4,350 people in the regions of Zinder, Tahoua, Niamey and Agadez, including young people aged 18-35, women with entrepreneurial projects, returning Nigerien migrants and host communities.

The project is in line with existing national and international policy frameworks and is supported by various ministries, the National Agency for Employment Promotion (ANPE) and local partners such as business incubators and government institutions.

The IDEE Youth project complements and continues these initiatives by specifically strengthening young people's skills through vocational training to better prepare them for the labour market; facilitating access to employment through job placement; and providing concrete opportunities for young people to create businesses and jobs through entrepreneurship.

The expected objectives of the project include supporting the professional integration of 800 young people, the creation of 1,500 sustainable jobs, the establishment of three semi-industrial units specialising in agro-food processing, and a 10 per cent increase in the volume of investment in local businesses supported by the project, private sector actors and the diaspora.

"We are pleased to continue this collaboration with IOM and the local authorities to promote the development of micro and small enterprises by young Nigerien men and

women, with the aim of strengthening the human capital of this country," said Roberto Orlando, Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Niger.

"This project will enable selected young Nigerien men and women to actively participate in the national economy, develop their skills, find employment and contribute to social progress and the development of their communities," added Nicoletta Giordano, IOM's Chief od Mission ai in Niger.

For more information, please contact Aïssatou SY, Public Information Officer, tel: +227 80066531, aisy@iom.int.