The data published on this site are collected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation among more than 130 Italian central and local administrations (Ministries, Universities, Regions and Municipalities etc.) and annually transmitted to the OECD – DAC (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development – Development Assistance Committee) which is entitled to validate them.

The DAC defines ODA as “those flows to countries and territories on the DAC List of ODA Recipients and to multilateral institutions which are:

i.  provided by official agencies, including state and local governments, or by their executive agencies; and

ii.  each transaction of which:

a)  is administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective; and
b)  is concessional in character and conveys a grant element of at least 25 per cent (calculated at a rate of discount of 10 per cent).” The ODA (Official Development Assistance) is defined by OCSE – DAC here.

The activities of Italian Development Cooperation are ruled by Italian Law n. 49 of 1987, which established the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Initiatives and beneficiary countries are selected according to international guidelines and commitments. Our activities are mainly focused on the African continent (Sub-Saharan Africa), on countries with which we have signed important international commitments (Afghanistan, Lebanon) and on areas where the presence of our country has deep historical roots (Latin America, Middle East and Mediterranean region).

Our primary areas of intervention are: the environment with particular attention to rural development, organic or conventional farming, alternative and renewable sources, gender policies and female empowerment, health and education.

Official Development Assistance (ODA), in quantitative terms, is not the main source of funding for development. Significant amounts are derived from the mobilization of the developing countries internal resources, from foreign investments, and international trade participation.

The ODA, particularly in less developed countries, plays a vital role in supporting local strategies to modernize institutions and commerce so that they benefit from global market opportunities, while, at the same time, protecting the most vulnerable segments of their populations.

Our main partners in the realization of cooperation programs are: Italian ministries, central and local public agencies, universities, NGOs, companies, the European Union, international organizations and developing countries.

• OpenAID ITALIA
• Objectives and Priorities
• Emergency and humanitarian aid
• Sistema Italia
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• The international context