South Sudan

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents significant investment opportunities across multiple sectors. However, matching these opportunities with the employment aspirations of a fast-growing youth population remains a challenge. Many young people struggle to find decent jobs, while investors face a shortage of relevant skills in the labour force. To help close this gap, the Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa (TEI OP-VET) was launched in April 2024 under the Global Gateway strategy. The initiative aims to strengthen vocational education and training systems in SSA by aligning them with concrete employment opportunities emerging from public and private investments, making skills development a core enabler of sustainable growth and job creation.

The MAPS Project is a three-year initiative aiming at strengthening policy-making and programming on migration and forced displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa. With a €10 million budget funded primarily by the European Commission, MAPS brings together a multidisciplinary network of African and European partners—including Sapienza University of Rome, five Italian universities with UNESCO Chairs, and universities in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Spain. It is supported by advisory bodies such as the IOM Regional Data Hub and the University of the Witwatersrand. The project is structured around four pillars: 1. Analytical Framework. The project will conduct an in-depth review of existing research, reports, and secondary data to assess legal frameworks, policies, and best practices related to migration and displacement across the region. 2. Research Activities. A multi-perspective study will be conducted in 10 Sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on internal migrants and first-line practitioners across four thematic areas: Peace, People, Planet, and Prosperity. The project will award 40 three-year fellowships to early-career scholars from the region, offering training and mentorship to support their academic growth. 3. Leveraging Cultural Dialogue. To foster inclusive dialogue, MAPS will create spaces for exchange through conferences, webinars, and a network of UNESCO African Chairs. These platforms will engage academics, policy-makers, and civil society in shaping informed migration responses. 4. Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination. MAPS will develop targeted knowledge-sharing materials and services for first-line practitioners, civil society organizations, community activists, migrant associations, and policy makers. The aim is to equip these stakeholders with practical tools and accessible information to effectively address migration and displacement challenges.

Supporting the self-reliance of displacement-affected people.