Humanitarian challenges, the opening of two new offices in Kampala and Abidjan, the launch of the Mattei Plan for Africa, and a €180 million call for proposals targeting Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities — 2024 has been a turning point for Italian Cooperation and, consequently, for AICS (the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation), the body responsible for implementing the technical and operational phases of international cooperation initiatives — from design and financing to management and monitoring.
The AICS Annual Report 2024, now available online, offers an in-depth overview of projects completed or underway in partner countries, highlighting results achieved and future perspectives. It presents data, analyses, and—above all—people: from program beneficiaries to civil society workers, AICS experts, and representatives of public institutions, universities, and businesses. Together, they tell the story of how cooperation translates into concrete action.
“Carrying out (good) cooperation contributes tangibly to Italy’s own stability and prosperity. The AICS Annual Report provides an important overview of Italy’s engagement around the world. The data reflect a system striving to work synergistically. This is the essence of the innovative approach promoted by the Mattei Plan, which places Africa at the top of Italy’s foreign policy priorities: Italian Cooperation does not act as an isolated player but promotes teamwork that involves ministries, local authorities, universities and research centers, civil society, and businesses—also through dedicated innovative instruments,” reads the introduction by Deputy Minister Edmondo Cirielli.
“The Annual Report also serves as a tool for dialogue with citizens, partners, and institutional stakeholders, thus enhancing the Agency’s role in promoting a culture of transparency. I therefore hope that its reading will offer a clear picture of how we allocate taxpayers’ resources, following the strategic guidelines set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” writes AICS Director Marco Rusconi in the editorial.
The full publication is available at the dedicated link.