NET-Work You: Successful Inter-Ministerial Meeting in Cairo. The Project enters phase 2

NET-Work You: Successful Inter-Ministerial Meeting in Cairo. The Project enters phase 2

Cairo, 23 November 2025 – The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the New Administrative Capital hosted an important inter-ministerial meeting that marked the transition from phase 1 to phase 2 of the NET-Work You project, an initiative funded in the framework of the Migration Partnership Facility of  the European Union and implemented by Confcooperative Puglia and CIHEAM Bari through ICMPD’s.

The meeting, which brought together representatives from numerous Egyptian Ministries, the EU Delegation, MPF / ICMPD and Italian partners, took stock of the outcomes and results of the project’s first phase and defined the operational roadmap for the coming months. 

The discussion mainly focused on a review of the key outputs of the first phase, such as the needs assessment, skills mapping, the professional profiling for green and digital sectors, alongside the results of the desk research, communication campaign and field surveys. 

The meeting highlighted the value of cross-sectoral collaboration and reinforced the importance of fostering circular and ethical labour mobility between Italy and Egypt.

Here are some takeaways of the session:

Phase 1 Achievements

The NET-Work You project has successfully completed preparatory activities, including:

  • Identification of four priority professional profiles in the green sector: Digital Agronomist, Sustainable Food Processing Expert, Agricultural Resource Management Specialist, and ICT Specialist with agricultural skills 
  • Skills mapping across Egyptian universities, companies, and incubators
  • Engagement of the Italian private sector with over 1,500 cooperatives from Confcooperative Puglia
  • A national communication campaign that generated 750 applications, of which 141 were deemed eligible
  • An analysis of the legal framework for circular migration and definition of mechanisms for activating extracurricular internships

Following the review of Phase 1, the meeting shifted focus to Phase 2 implementation. Partners presented and discussed the operational roadmap for the coming months, including training curriculum development, youth selection procedures, certification processes, internship mobility arrangements and procedures for activating extracurricular internships. This session ensured alignment among all stakeholders on timelines, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms needed to move forward effectively.

A Technical Working Group has been established, with the objective of contributing to the design of the pre-departure training programme to be implemented in Egypt. 

The active participation of the Egyptian Institutions is considered essential to ensure the sustainability of the intervention, the ownership of the process and, consequently, the replicability of the training model. 

Upcoming Events

An important Roundtable is scheduled for December 7th with the participation of additional private sector stakeholders. In February 2026, a technical meeting will be likely held in Italy with Puglia Region, ARPAL, and the Italian Ministry of Labor to define operational details of the mobility pathway.

The NET-Work You project confirms itself as a pioneering initiative in creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Egyptians in green sectors, through an integrated approach combining quality training, recognized certification, and circular mobility pathways between Egypt and Italy.

 

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