The AREA project was one of the core technical cooperation initiatives set up by the ILO in response to the economic and financial crisis that took place in Argentina in 2001. It was funded by the Government of Italy and was implemented in association with Italia Lavoro SpA, a technical agency of the Italian Ministry of Labour. The project aimed at providing the Argentinean Government with the technical support for the design and implementation of effective and comprehensive employment and labour market policies and institutions. The project took place between late 2004 and 2008 and a current II phase is ongoing.