In a recent event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 56 young scholarship recipients from La Libertad and La Paz gathered to celebrate their achievements as part of the “SEMILLAS” project, aimed at preventing irregular migration through education and development. This initiative, supported by the Italian Government via the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), offers technical education opportunities at ITCA-FEPADE in various disciplines.
The SEMILLAS project, co-executed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE), seeks to curb irregular migration by fostering personal and territorial development.
Cindy Mariella Portal, Vice Minister of Diaspora and Human Mobility, highlighted the project’s goal to anchor individuals in their communities by providing education and growth opportunities. “The educational component of the SEMILLAS Project offers higher education scholarships to at-risk youth and returnees. Over €282,000 have been invested, benefiting 124 young individuals across five departments, yielding significant progress,” she stated.
Beneficiaries are pursuing technical studies in fields such as automotive mechanics, gastronomy, chemical laboratory work, global logistics, electronics, and software development at ITCA-FEPADE campuses in Santa Ana, Santa Tecla, Zacatecoluca, and La Unión. The program covers full academic fees and provides quarterly transportation and connectivity incentives, along with an annual stipend for tools and materials. Additionally, participants receive psycho-emotional support and engagement activities.
The event recognized the top three students from each campus, awarding six outstanding individuals with honors diplomas and gift cards for their academic excellence during the 2024 cycle. “These young scholars have completed their first year and are on track to graduate by early 2026,” added Portal.
Italian Ambassador to El Salvador, Paolo Emanuele Rozo Sordini, reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to youth education, emphasizing a shared vision with El Salvador for capacity building as a state responsibility. “Our goal is to empower society’s youngest members to unleash their potential,” he remarked.
Josselyn Iraheta, a scholarship recipient, expressed her gratitude: “I considered leaving the country, but this scholarship arrived just in time, offering me the chance to develop here in El Salvador.”
The event also featured contributions from Carlos Alberto Arriola, Rector of ITCA-FEPADE; Paolo Gallizioli, Director for El Salvador, Central America, and the Caribbean at AICS; Christian Guevara, Regional Director of ITCA Zacatecoluca; and Manuel Chicas, Regional Director of ITCA Santa Ana, reflecting the collaborative effort behind the initiative.