CinemArena is an Italian project launched over 20 years ago by the Italian Cooperation. It has been implemented in more than 30 countries across Africa, South America, and Asia, promoting educational and informational campaigns on various social and health issues. Since 2018, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and AICS have collaborated on migration-related initiatives, with the IOM focusing specifically on this component.

A first phase of the project was implemented between 2018 and 2020 in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and The Gambia, followed by a second phase in 2021–2022 in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The third phase, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was implemented in 2022-2025 and has now been completed in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, The Gambia, Tunisia, and Senegal.

Building on the results and lessons learned from previous editions, a new phase of CinemArena is being implemented in Bangladesh for the first time, marking the project’s expansion into a new national context in South Asia. This new phase aims to raise awareness on the risks of irregular migration and to promote socio-economic opportunities in countries of origin, with a particular focus on youth empowerment and vulnerable communities as sustainable alternatives to irregular migration.

Thanks to its ability to address issues of fundamental importance through innovative and engaging approaches, CinemArena has proven to be a suitable and effective tool for information campaigns on the risks and dangers of irregular migration. The project is based on the active involvement of local communities and a wide range of civil society actors; due to its participatory nature, attendance at screenings is consistently high. The campaign’s messages contribute to meaningful social change and lasting impact.

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