FEEDING THE FUTURE: Strengthening and digital transformation of the agro-food sector in Senegal

Fondazione Aurora, in partnership with IPSIA – Istituto Pace Sviluppo e Innovazione ACLI, Enda Graf Sahel, Jenga Lab and the Municipality of Milan, is implementing the project “Feeding the Future”, co‑financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The initiative is carried out in the regions of Dakar, Thiès and Fatick in Senegal, with the aim of generating inclusive employment and decent work, by strengthening local enterprises in the agro‑food sector, promoting the employment inclusion of vulnerable youth and valuing the Senegalese diaspora as a strategic resource to reinforce exchanges between Italy and Senegal.

Within the project, Fondazione Aurora will be responsible for training and strategic coaching for 150 beneficiary enterprises, as well as developing the capacity building of the local workforce and supporting the labour market entry of a further 150 young NEETs and vulnerable individuals. The activities will include training cycles and technical assistance for enterprises and youth, carried out with the support of local Business Development experts and professional employment integration consultants.

People directly involved:

2,700 workers from the 150 SMEs and 150 young under‑35 NEETs.

OBJECTIVES

→ To strengthen the food‑processing production sector as a factor of labour inclusion, especially for women and youth.
→ To Enhance self‑entrepreneurship, strategic business orientation and access to digital transformation for SMEs in the food‑processing sector.
→ To contribute to market matching between the real needs of local communities and potential income-generating activities by identifying new financial channels for access to credit.
→ To promote the integration and employment of women and youth in food‑processing enterprises.
→ To consolidate an ecosystem functional to enterprise growth, promoting actions and public policies that facilitate the development and support of start‑ups, technological innovation and digitalization of the real economy, in synergy with the Italy‑Senegal Partnership Programme 2024‑2026.
→To Promote the involvement of the Senegalese diaspora, supporting their productive investments in their country of origin, and valorising the professional skills and entrepreneurial experience acquired in Italy.
PROJECT SUMMARY

Partners