Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Paesi Emergenti (COSPE)

National Network
Italy
Address

Via Slataper, 10 - 50134
Florence
Italy

Telephone
+39 055473556
Fax
+39 055472806
E-Mail
rinaldi@cospe-fi.it
E-Mail (2)
s.malavolti@cospe-fi.it
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
1983
Fields of Activity
  1. Democracy and community development
  2. Environment/Sustainable development
  3. Gender
  4. Heritage
  5. Human rights
  6. Media
  7. Youth and education
General Information
COSPE is an association promoting intercultural dialogue, fair, sustainable development and human rights. Its activities are International Development Co-operation and Development Awareness/Education as a means to achieve peace and justice among peoples The Cospe organizational structure is made up of the Secretary General, (supported by two Vice Secretaries), the Administration Department, and the Department of Communication and Fund Raising, and the Projects Office. As well as the national head office in Florence, COSPE has two other offices in Italy in Bologna and Genoa and an additional 21 sites in the countries in which it operates. COSPE human resources amount for 2008 to a total of 60 staff at the headquarters and 40 staff and volunteers in the fields. The most important donors of the actions are: Italian Ministry of Foreign Office, European Commission, Local Authorities , NU Agency, Private The funds received in 2008: 6.732.000 €
Mission and Objectives

COSPE works towards building a world in which diversity is considered a value, a world with many voices, where the encounter influences and enriches us, where the social justice allows equal rights and opportunities to all.
COSPE’s story is one of "taking part" and a "position" in the defense of rights with the knowledge that is it impossible to remain neutral. However, the basis of the human rights is the right to a dignified existence and a quality of the life that is a determined factor both from economic parameters and from the true possibility of active participation in the deciding process.
COSPE works for dialogue between people, between populations and cultures, for fair and sustainable development, for human rights that aim toward attainment of`peace and justice.

Main Projects / Activities

COSPE operates in Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe in projects that promote economic, environmental and social development. It supports the promotion of farming, craft and service industries through training, technical support and the creation of credit funds, with special regard for women's associations and networks in view of their fundamental importance to local development. It is involved in food security, rural development, afforestation, irrigation and environmental protection projects.
COSPE works In Italy and Europe on educational programmes dealing with antiracism, development, interculturalism and the defence of basic rights. It organises intercultural activities in schools: refresher courses for teachers, study programmes for students and bilingual workshops for foreign pupils. It promotes activities to ensure that citizens from ethnic minorities enjoy equal opportunities in education and employment and access to services and information. It is also involved in protecting the interests of refugees and those seeking political asylum.

Contact (1) Full Name
Maria Donata Rinaldi
Head of the organisation
Federica Masi - Legal Representante
Contact (2) Full Name
Sara Malavolti