Italian NGO network and FAO join forces on food security and rural development

The agreement was signed by FAO Deputy Director General – Programmes Daniel Gustafson and FOCSIV President, Gianfranco Cattai.

8 June 2017, Rome – Young and qualified volunteers from across Italy will soon be able to join FAO’s offices around the globe thanks to a partnership signed today between FAO and the Federazione Organismi Cristiani di Servizio Internazionale Volontario (FOCSIV), a network of Italian Christian NGOs.

FOCSIV coordinates the selection and deployment of international youth volunteers in development programmes abroad.   Through the new agreement, young Italians will join FAO-supported projects aimed at fighting hunger and malnutrition and promoting food security and sustainable rural development through funds to be provided by the Italian government.

The agreement was signed by FAO Deputy Director General – Programmes Daniel Gustafson and FOCSIV President, Gianfranco Cattai.

“This partnership will bring new ideas and energy to FAO offices around the world through the engagement of young people” said Gustafson. “It will contribute to FAO’s efforts in supporting countries to achieve their goals within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will also provide opportunities for the offices to look actively into ways of reaching out to younger audiences, where we are often not sufficiently creative. ”

For his part, Gianfranco Cattai said: “The collaboration with FAO provides us with a crucial opportunity to work together in achieving our common goals through the active involvement of young volunteers in FAO programmes at country level. At the same time, these volunteers will be able put their skills at the service of humanity while the exposure to the dynamics of a prominent international organization and working with an international team, will provide them with an important learning experience.”

Luigi Bobba, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, in charge of youth policies and National Civic Service states that “this agreement provide with greater and more qualitative opportunities for young volunteers. Being able to engage in projects related to food security and rural development, which are topical issues, enrich the path of many young people in training and working.”

The agreement was signed during the annual “Forum EU Members’ Meeting” that is taking place between 7 and 9^th of June at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.  

FOCSIV is a network of 78 Italian development non-governmental organizations committed to contributing to the fight against poverty and marginalization, promoting human dignity and human rights and the development of communities and local institutions.