Who we are

ACRA - Cooperazione Rurale in Africa e America Latina -  is a non-governmental, non-profit, secular and independent organization, founded in 1968 and recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union.

ACRA has always recognized to its local partners a key role in designing and implementing projects and programs. ACRA interventions are integrated projects, development programs that incorporate different objectives in partnership with local realities, donors and beneficiaries. ACRA does not just solve a problem or donate funds, but intervenes with well-constructed programs, using participatory and shared strategies, training local personnel with new skills, strengthening communities, associations and local institutions for the future management of the project results.

Moreover, each project is accompanied by intervention of environment protection and basic education to ensure long-term effects and results.

In over 40 years ACRA has implemented hundreds of projects with high impact results and effectiveness, but also with some mistakes that allowed us to grow and renew ourselves, while maintaining the values and culture of ACRA. During 2009, ACRA has extended its operations in several African countries (Cameroon, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, and Tanzania), Central and South America countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras.) In 2009 ACRA managed 70 projects for a total of about 760,000 direct beneficiaries.

In Italy and Europe, ACRA promotes awareness and intercultural pathways, echoing the demands of its partners in the South and promoting a culture of peace, dialogue and intercultural exchange through training courses, workshops, educational campaigns, information and awareness raising for school students, universities and civil society institutions at every latitude.