Focsiv

FOCSIV is the largest federation of Christian-inspired international voluntary organizations in Italy. Today it comprises 94 organizations operating in more than 80 countries worldwide. It was founded in 1972 to contribute to the fight against all forms of poverty and marginalization, to protect human dignity and promote human rights, and to suppor... t the growth of local communities and institutions. Since its founding, FOCSIV and its member organizations have deployed over 27,000 international volunteers who have contributed their personal and professional expertise to the world's poorest populations. At the national level, FOCSIV is affiliated with the National Forum of the Third Sector, the Association of Italian NGOs, CISA (Italian Committee for Food Sovereignty), and GCAP (Italian Coalition Against Poverty). At the international level, it is a member of several global networks including CIDSE (the European and North American network of major Catholic development organizations), FORUM (a network of governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in international volunteering), and CONCORD (the European Confederation of Emergency and Development NGOs). FOCSIV has held special consultative status with ECOSOC (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) since 2004, has been a Focal Point of the UNV (United Nations Volunteers) program for Italy since 1997, and has been recognized as an Observer at the IOM (International Organization for Migration) since 2010.Read More