IBO Italia - ODV-ETS

descrizione dell'organizzazione

IBO Italia is an Italian christian-values-based Non-governmental Organization and a Non-profit organization. It focuses on International cooperation and Volunteering in Italy and throughout the World.
It is part of a Network whose activities began in 1953 with the first workcamps for the reconstruction of houses for refugees from the Second World War. IBO is the Flemish acronym for Internationale Bouworde, which means precisely "International Builder Members".
IBO has been present in Italy since 1957 and in 1968 it became officially a Volunteering Association.
The national office is in Ferrara and in 2015 the branch office in Parma was inaugurated.
IBO’s mission is: Foster access to education and training as fundamental rights of every person and opportunity for change for the whole community; Involve young people in volunteering and sharing experiences to promote social commitment, participation and responsibility.

IBO Italia's commitment is part of the general framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular with respect to the objectives relating to quality education, reduction of inequalities and the promotion of Peace, justice and solid institutions (ob. 4 , 10 and 16).
Our main areas are:

- Volunteering in the world
IBO Italia promotes international volunteering for young people and adults as an experience of growth, active citizenship and social inclusion. We offer short and long term experiences, like workcamps, Civil Service/Civil Peace Corps, EVS/ESC, Youth Exchanges, youth workers mobility.

- International Cooperation
Educational and training projects in Peru, Ecuador, Romania, Tanzania, Ukraine and many other places. Because going to school is a right and every child can dream that everything is possible.

- Commitment in Italy and Global citizenship education
Spreading the values of volunteering and commitment to one's community through awareness campaigns and good participation practices. Propose Global Citizenship Education workshops in schools to promote understanding of the impact of one's daily choices on global phenomena.

Furthermore, in the last years IBO has implemented several interventions involving young people with fewer opportunities and young refugees in its local activities.

For promotion and implementation of short-term activities, IBO cooperates with the European network “IBO Internationale” and Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations.
IBO pays great attention to the training of volunteers. In addition to the numerous pre-departure trainings, some significant collaborations are: Charity Work Program (Catholic University), Training Course for volunteers of International cooperation (Overseas), Field Work (University of Bologna).
In 2018 the European IBO network became part of CCIVS – Coordinating Commitee for International Voluntary Service, a global network established in 1948 under the aegis of UNESCO, to promote and develop the voluntary service movement at national, regional and international levels.
In 2019, after one work year, IBO inaugurates the new and current national headquarters in Ferrara. The wishes is that the new spaces become not only the headquarters of IBO Italia, but a point of reference for the city. With a national and international scope. In fact, the new spaces have allowed us to expand the type of volunteering experiences. For example, last year various short-term experiences were carried out for groups and teenagers. Moreover, being able to host allowed us to organize training courses for camp-leaders scheduled into weekends and which included lectures, group dynamics and moments of conviviality.
IBO Italia is member of:
- IBO network
- Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations Network
- CCIVS (Coordinating Commitee for International Voluntary Service)
- FOCSIV (Federation of Christian Organizations of International Voluntary Service)
- AGIRE SOCIALE (Volunteering support centre in Ferrara)
- FORUM SOLIDARIETA (Volunteering support centre in Parma)
- AOI (Association of the Italian organisations for cooperation and international solidarity)
- COONGER (Coordination of Italian NGO’s in Emilia Romagna)
- FORUM SAD (Coordination of Italian NGO’s involved in child sponsorship)
- COIPE (Coordination of Italian NGOs in Perù)
- VIM (Italian Volunteers in Madagascar)