ISLAMABAD: Italy plans to invest 40 million euros on youth, health infrastructure, education development policies and programmes in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).

This was stated by Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecovero at the closing ceremony of poverty reduction training sessions conducted by the PPAF in collaboration with Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Pakistan (IADCP) and Luiss Business School.

These trainings were especially conducted for communities based in Balochistan, KP and tribal districts to uplift their socioeconomic conditions.

He said 65 per cent of Pakistan’s population is under 35. Immense potential lies in the youth and Italy hopes to invest more in youth development policies to empower the future of the country and contribute towards a prosperous tomorrow, he said.

Says Rome hopes to invest more in youth development policies to empower future of country, contribute towards a prosperous tomorrow

Speaking on the occasion, IADCP Director Emanuela Benini said the training would have a good impact for communities in Pakistan.

The participants, she said, would contribute to the sustainable development of their respective areas.

PPAF Chief Executive Officer Qazi Azmat Isa also lauded the efforts of the Italian government and said without their active participation such sessions could not have been possible.

“Positive interventions cannot be done in isolation. It is imperative for multiple stakeholders, including academia, NGOs and governments, to collaborate and work towards bringing a sustainable change,” said the PPAF head.

The PPAF’s programme for poverty reduction runs in 14 districts of Pakistan covering 38 union councils in collaboration with 17 partner organisations. The goal is poverty reduction through the creation of sustainable conditions of social and economic development, including income and production capacity increase.

It mainly focuses on key areas of social mobilisation, livelihood enhancement and protection, construction and improvement of small-scale community infrastructures and establishment of basic health and educational services.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2019