With a portfolio of European Union funding amounting to approximately €90 million, the Italian Development Cooperation in Egypt confirms its role as one of the leading actors in delegated cooperation, contributing to the implementation of the priorities agreed with the Egyptian Government. These initiatives promote sustainable socio-economic development by strengthening human capital, ensuring food security, fostering rural development and creating decent work, with a special focus on young people, women and vulnerable groups, in line with the Team Europe approach.
In the rural sector, the EU-ZIRA3A programme (€24 million) supports communities in Upper Egypt through an integrated approach, combining institutional strengthening with operational development, including interventions in the irrigation sector and the launching of numerous tender procedures.
In parallel, EU-KAFI (€40 million) constitutes a key pillar for food security, supporting the entire cereal value chain: from varietal research and the production of certified seeds to the improvement of storage and monitoring systems, thereby contributing to the resilience of the agri-food system, also in response to recent global crises.
At regional level, the DeSIRA/WATDEV programme (€7.5 million), which is being implemented in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, will come to a close in June 2026. The initiative has strengthened the link between research, policy and practice, promoting innovative solutions for the sustainable management of water resources and capacity-building for local stakeholders.
In the field of youth employability, AICS has consistently supported the strengthening of Egypt’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. Within this framework, MEPEP (€6 million), completed in 2025, contributed to improving the quality of technical and vocational education in Cairo’s districts most affected by migration, strengthening its alignment with labour market needs and enhancing young people’s employability.
Building on these achievements, DEMO (€2 million), funded under the THAMM Plus Programme, promotes decent work opportunities for Egyptian youth by strengthening market-relevant technical and vocational skills and supporting employment pathways both in Egypt and in Italy. In line with the EU–Egypt Talent Partnership, the project supports the modernization of TVET curricula, strengthens the institutional capacities of Egypt’s Ministry of Labour, and establishes an Employment Centre in Cairo equipped with a digital platform to match labour supply with market demand. The initiative also fosters stronger linkages with Egyptian and Italian employers, contributing to the creation of opportunities for domestic employment, regular and skilled labour migration.
Along the same lines, TEJPA (€9 million), financed under EU4Youth Phase I (EU4YES I) through a €6 million contribution from the European Union and €3 million in parallel financing from the private sector, supports Applied Technology Schools, promotes the development of competency-based curricula in the Hospitality and Energy sectors, and strengthens the linkages between technical education and the labour market.
DESITA (€1.5 million), funded under the TAMKEEN Programme, further complements this portfolio by extending the Applied Technology Schools model to the Fashion and Design sector through the establishment of a specialized institute. The project develops competency-based curricula with the support of Italian academic institutions and private sector partners, promotes the transfer of know-how between Italy and Egypt, and advances the socio-economic empowerment of women through business incubation services, mentoring, and support for women-led entrepreneurship.
At the same time, new negotiations are underway to further expand the portfolio in the areas of technical education, labour mobility, and social inclusion, including initiatives specifically addressing the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Overall, the portfolio is characterized by an integrated and multi-level approach that combines education, skills development, employment, labour mobility, and social inclusion, further strengthening the role of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation as a strategic partner of the European Union in Egypt.
