What is the project about?

Implemented by the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and funded by the Government of the Netherlands, this project strengthens the capacities of African governments -particularly Egypt and countries in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel- to prevent and respond to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants (TIP and SOM). It focuses on building institutional resilience, fostering cross-border cooperation, and promoting inclusive, gender- and youth-sensitive approaches to address the complex, interlinked challenges of irregular migration, mobility, conflict, and climate change. 

Situational Background

Across Africa, protracted conflicts, violence, and climate change have led to massive displacement, especially in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. These vulnerabilities are increasingly exploited by traffickers and smugglers.

As a stable country at a strategic crossroads between Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Egypt faces growing challenges as both a transit and destination country. While national laws and strategies to combat trafficking and smuggling have advanced, gaps remain in capacity, institutional coordination, and victim protection.

The project adresses these gaps through a holistic, coordinated, and context-specific approach to address these evolving threats.

How are we doing this?

The project is being implemented through a comprehensive programme combining capacity building, regional workshops, and knowledge exchange targeting government officials and frontline officers in Egypt, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel. Activities include:

1. Specialized trainings on combating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, with a focus on investigation, prosecution, cross-border cooperation, and integrating gender and technology into national responses. Regional workshops provide platforms for dialogue, sharing best practices, and fostering cross-border collaboration.

2. Integration of gender and technology into national response mechanisms to ensure more inclusive, innovative, and effective solutions.

3. Partnerships with regional and international organizations to maximize sustainability, alignment, and shared learning.

4. Development of knowledge products, including training manuals and policy briefsto inform policy and practice.

5. Robust monitoring and evaluation systems to guide adaptation and inform continuous improvement.

A participatory, gender-sensitive, and context-specific approach underpins all activities to ensure that interventions address the diverse realities and vulnerabilities of affected populations.

How will Egypt benefit?:

Through this project, Egypt reinforces its regional leadership in combating human trafficking and irregular migration, while strengthening protection and justice systems nationally. The project contributes to:

1. Building the capacities of African officials and frontline officersto combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants through training, cooperation, and institutional development.

2. Strengthening the capacity of government officials to advance the inclusion and participation of groups in vulnerable situations in response plans and policy development – including women, youth, and migrants – in response plans and policy frameworks.

IMPACT: