Across Europe, people seeking safety face significant risks of trafficking and exploitation, particularly in the early stages of arrival. Gaps in information, limited access to services and overstretched reception systems can leave newly arrived asylum seekers exposed to harm.
REACHing addresses these risks by strengthening early protection responses within asylum and reception systems. Since July 2025, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been implementing the project in Southern Italy as part of a European consortium, focusing on outreach, information and early identification of people at risk of trafficking.
Funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), REACHing supports timely, coordinated and survivor-centred interventions to help asylum seekers understand their rights, recognize risks and access protection.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Project title: REACHing – REinforcing Assistance to viCtims of Human trafficking
Duration: July 2025– June 2027
Donor: European Union – Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
Countries: Italy, France, Greece
Partners
Forum Réfugiés (Coordinator – France)
CESIE ETS (Italy)
International Rescue Committee Italy (Italy)
Greek Council for Refugees (Greece)
MIPROF (France)
Université Clermont Auvergne (France)
What the project does
REACHing strengthens prevention and early identification of trafficking within asylum systems by:
- Delivering mobile outreach activities to reach newly arrived asylum seekers in reception and arrival contexts;
- Providing clear, accessible information on rights, available services and protection pathways;
- Raising awareness of trafficking and exploitation risks to support informed decision-making and self-protection;
- Building the capacity of frontline actors through a trauma-informed and do-no-harm approach;
- Strengthening coordination between civil society organisations and institutions at national and European level.
IRC Italy’s role
In Italy, IRC implements REACHing in Sicily and Calabria, focusing on people of recent arrival seeking asylum. Through two mobile teams, IRC:
- provides timely information on rights and access to protection in Italy;
- supports early identification of people at risk of trafficking and exploitation;
- facilitates referrals to specialized services and local protection networks;
- contributes to stronger cooperation among reception, protection and anti-trafficking actors.
All activities are grounded in IRC’s protection principles, prioritizing safety, dignity, informed choice and survivor-centred responses.
Who the project supports
- Newly arrived asylum seekers and refugees at risk of trafficking and exploitation;
- Frontline workers in reception, asylum and protection services;
- Civil society and institutional actors engaged in anti-trafficking and protection responses.
Why it matters
By reaching people early and strengthening frontliners’ response, REACHing helps reduce exposure to trafficking and exploitation, improves access to protection and contributes to safer, more effective asylum systems across Europe.
Contact:
Silvia Calcavecchio
Area Manager Southern Italy