Description
"MAPS – Migration Action Plan for Sub-Saharan Africa" is a three-year initiative, with a budget of €10 million, funded by the European Union through the EuropeAid programme.
The project aims to support local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa by producing high-quality, evidence-based research on the drivers of migration. It addresses the interrelated dynamics of demographic pressure, environmental degradation, economic disparities, and political instability, with the overarching aim of informing sustainable development strategies.
The MAPS consortium comprises a multidisciplinary network of European and African academic institutions, including Sapienza University of Rome and five other Italian universities hosting UNESCO Chairs (Udine, IUAV Venice, Brescia, Ferrara, and Reggio Calabria), alongside the University of Barcelona (Spain), the University of Dodoma (Tanzania), the University of Kabale (Uganda), and Amref International University (Kenya). The initiative also benefits from the collaboration of strategic partners such as the IOM Regional Data Hub for West and Central Africa, the Catholic University of Rwanda, and the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa).
The research activities focuses on four thematic domains aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework: People (population trends and youth), Planet (environmental stressors and climate-induced migration), Prosperity (economic and social resilience), and Peace (human rights, conflict, and displacement).
Featured
The 2nd MAPS Summer School Has Come to an End: Insights, Training, Skills, Networks, and Collaboration
We have successfully concluded the 2nd MAPS Summer School - Migration and Displacement Action Plan for Sub-Saharan Africa - held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2–6 February 2026), in collaboration with the University of Dodoma. The...
Project details
Award of 40 research scholarships on Migration and Forced Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa
During the past months, young researchers from the Sub-Saharan region have been invited to engage in research activities related to migration and forced displacement within the fraework of MAPS project. The call for researchers, lunched through the University of Kabale (Uganda), the University of Dodoma (Tanzania) and the Amref International University (Kenya), resulted into 352 applications which were submitted in June. The evaluation process has been completed in October 2025 and 40 promising young researchers have been awarded scholarships to support research on migration and forced displacement, covering candidates from ten African countries.
The researchers are now part of a comprehensive capacity-building programme, including summer schools, webinars, and international conferences, combined with field research activities. They will be jointly mentored by European and African supervisors, ensuring continuous academic guidance and professional development throughout the fellowship. The scholarships are designed to empower young researchers, build capacity, and contribute to the development of high-quality, impactful research on migration dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research outcomes will feed into the development of policy recommendations and evidence-based strategies for better migration management and response.
