ICU - Istituto per la Cooperazione UniversitariaMember

ICU – Institute for University Cooperation Onlus is an International Non-Governmental Organization recognized by the European Commission and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs implementing development co-operation projects in developing countries and fostering information and education on international solidarity issues.

ICU was established in 1966 by some Italian university professors, whose aim was to support the growth of the Culture and Science put at the service of mankind. In order to reach this objective, ICU promotes and carries out initiatives designed to:

Support Human and Social growth in developing countries through development co-operation projects with special emphasis to the training of local human resources.
Disseminate the idea of a development co-operation culture as promotion of the human dignity.
Since its foundation, ICU has completed about 480 development co-operation projects in 40 countries in Latin America, Africa, Mediterranean Basin and Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific, for a total budget of 150 million euro.

The main fields are:

university cooperation
education and vocational training
sanitation and healthcare
rural development
agriculture and irrigation
renewable energies
women’s promotion
social development
emergencies
ICU is a partner of ECHO – European Community Humanitarian Office – in the management of emergency projects and is recognized by USAID. It is also a member of the Management Board of READI (Red Euro-Arabe de ONG para el Desarrollo y la Integración) and Link2007.

ICU cooperates with and is subsidized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the European Union and International Organizations. It is also supported by various Italian local authorities and by private citizens.