On January 17, 2025, San Salvador hosted the awards ceremony for young scholars participating in the Semillas Project, marking the completion of their first year of studies at ITCA-FEPADE technical institutes.
The event brought together more than fifty students from the departments of La Libertad and La Paz, who received higher education scholarships in technical fields such as mechanics, chemical laboratory, global logistics, gastronomy, and software development, among others.
Six students were recognized for their outstanding commitment and achievements. They received certificates of recognition from Deputy Minister for the Diaspora and Human Mobility Cindy Mariella Portal, Italian Ambassador Paolo Emanuele Rozo Sordini, and ITCA-FEPADE President Carlos Arriola.
The scholarships are part of the Semillas Project, which aims to foster socio-economic inclusion by training young people across the country. The program creates opportunities for education and employment while also contributing to the prevention of irregular migration.
“El Salvador and Italy share a common vision of the potential and excellence each country can develop through its talents. It is the duty of states to enable every member of society—starting with younger generations—to express their abilities,” stated Ambassador Rozo.
The scholarship program, with an investment exceeding €282,000, benefits a total of 124 young people from the departments of La Libertad, La Paz, Santa Ana, Ahuachapán, and La Unión. These students are pursuing various technical careers at ITCA-FEPADE’s regional campuses.
Semillas, formally titled “Government Strategy for the Prevention of Irregular Migration through the Creation of Territorial and Personal Development Opportunities,” is a three-year project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) with a total investment of €2.5 million. It is implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Directorate for Human Mobility and Migrant Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and the National Council for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE).
