For more than thirty years, Italian Cooperation in Senegal has supported efforts to reduce poverty in the country and the economic and social emancipation of the most vulnerable groups. The evolution of the intervention strategy in Senegal, through the establishment of the Local Technical Unit in Dakar in 2006 and subsequently, in 2016, of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, has consistently followed the needs of the local population and the Government.
The identification of priority areas of intervention - agriculture and rural development, private sector and local economic development, social protection, gender and education - incorporates the indications of the Senegalese Ministries partners, the priorities of the Guidelines of the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the indications of the consultative groups of donors and NGOs present in the country.
In addition to Senegal, the AICS office in Dakar is also accredited in other countries in the region: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Sierra Leone. The Italian initiatives are carried out mainly through bilateral programs, managed directly by local governments, in a perspective of ownership. To favor a systemic approach, the financial availability is integrated with activities co-financed with Italian Civil Society Organizations, with initiatives of Italian Territorial Bodies and with commitments on the multilateral channel in support of actions implemented through international organizations.
Of particular relevance is the measurement of gender impact, and the role of local authorities and a planned vision of the territory, confirming Italy's commitment to promoting sustainable development processes, peace and stability in West Africa, a strategically important region continental and international level.
