As of June 2024, Zambia has been included in the list of priority countries for the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The Copperbelt and North-Western provinces (which will be involved in the Lobito Corridor project) are the main areas of focus. Italian financial aid will target the agri-food sector and natural resource management.
Below is a list of the main Italian NGOs and CSOs active in Zambia:
Africa Call Organisation (ACO)
Founded in 2007, it mainly runs projects for disabled people. It manages the Shalom Community School in Kanyama, providing education to over 900 students.
It supports housing and educational centres for children in Zambia, Sudan, and Kenya. Initiatives include the Koinonia Community and the Mthunzi Centre in West Lusaka.
Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII/ CONDIVISIONE FRA I POPOLI
Since 1985, it promotes initiatives supporting children, the disabled, and orphans in Ndola and Kitwe, Profits from its “Gigibontà” ice-cream brand finance the organisation’s projects.
Active since 1981, it runs the Chirundu Zambezi Training Farm and – with the support of the Italian Government, projects in the field of rural development, sustainable agriculture, STDs prevention, training, and sustainable tourism.
Local Italian NGOs:
Associazione Progetto Jacaranda Onlus
Founded in 2006 and Livingstone-based, it provides training and education to disadvantaged children and youngsters. Construction of St Peter’s Secondary School and the Kopumuna Skills Development Project are among its numerous initiatives.
Associazione Carità Senza Confini Onlus (San Marino Bakery)
Since 2012, the San Marino Bakery projects sells bread to support nutritional centres and delivery of food to inmates.
Active in Lusaka and Luapula, it focuses on educational training for women and young people.
Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionale
Founded in 2007, it runs the Water and Sanitation Project and provides furniture for the St. Paul Mulungushi Rural Health Center for young people.
Guardavanti: Per il Futuro dei Bambini
Founded in 2011, it promotes cultural initiatives at the Katulumba Community School in Siavonga.
Founded in Rome in 2000, it supports education, food delivery and health-related initiatives for children in Monze and Ndola.
Missionary Group of Solidarity – We For Zambia
Luanshya-based and active since 2000, it runs educational, sanitary, and social projects.
Active in Solwezi’s rural communities since 2018, it deals with agricultural production techniques and educational projects.
PAMO ONLUS
Active in Zambia with the help of Zambia Helpers Society (ZHS), it provides financial and cultural support to women, in coordination with Mother Emelda.
Active in Eastern Zambia since 2006, it runs initiatives in the field of children’s education and development.
TWAFANE ASSOCIATION
Copperbelt-based since 2008, it supports health, education, and nutrition related projects such as Progetto Madre-Bambino and Progetto Opportunità.
Its “Stop the violence”, “Costruiamo futuro”, “Stop child abuse”, and “Cherished home” relate to support of women and children’s rights.
Since 2006 two founders of Sport2build, already involved in Zambia with international cooperation projects, begin to organize in their spare time, various running races involving more and more participants until they reach averages of 500 young people from 6 to 40 years old. Thus was born this apolitical Italian organization, which works to improve and empower underprivileged youth and children using sport as a tool for behavior and societal change.