AIFO
provides support to projects in developing countries, without any
discrimination on the basis of color, race, religion, gender, etc. AIFO
has no political or religious aims of any kind. In all the projects
supported by it, AIFO emphasizes that special attention be given to
reach weaker sections of society: the poorest families, ethnic minority
groups, women and children.
AIFO has chosen to
focus its activities in supporting leprosy affected persons and persons
with disabilities through integrated development projects, with
particular attention towards the poorest and vulnerable groups of
persons, in a spirit of partnership.
Since 2009,
because of financial difficulties, no new project requests are being
considered. Thus in 2010, please do not present new project requests to
AIFO.
Regional
offices of AIFO
AIFO
has three Regional Offices, in
India, Mozambique and in Brazil. There are also Country
Offices of AIFO in many countries like: Vietnam, Mongolia,
Indonesia, Macao, Comore Islands, Mozambique, Angola, Ghana, etc. All new Project requests coming from India and Brazil must come to AIFO
through the AIFO Regional office
- their addresses are as follows:
AIFO
India, no. 58, 4th Cross, Kavery Layout, Thavarekere Main Road,
Bangalore 560029
AIFO
Brazil, Rua S4, n. 31, Edf. Ilha do Sul, Apt 402, 74823-450 Setor Bela
Vista, Goiania
Languages
of communication with AIFO
Projects can write to the AIFO head-office in Bologna, in any of the
following languages - English, Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Countries
where AIFO is already supporting some significant projects
At
present, AIFO is supporting significant projects in the following
countries: Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Egypt, Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, India,
Liberia and Brazil. In some of these countries, AIFO is working with
National Governments like in Indonesia, Mongolia, India, Brazil, Mozambique,
etc. Requests from
countries where AIFO is already active, receive priority for new project
requests.
Who
Can Receive Support From AIFO
Governments,
local administrations, NGOs, religious organizations of all
denominations, organizations of disabled persons, grass-root
organizations, etc., from developing countries, can ask AIFO for support
exclusively for their project activities related to the three specific
fields of activities (leprosy, Primary Health Care & Rehabilitation.
Usually, projects related to vulnerable children are usually accepted
only in areas, where AIFO is already supporting some other activities
related to any of the three specific fields.
Possibly all requests related to leprosy and primary health care,
presented to AIFO should follow National guidelines. When such requests
are not in line with the National guidelines, the reasons for this must
be clearly explained.
Often AIFO prefers to promotes complementary projects in the same
geographical areas where it is already present, with different local
partners like Governmental ministries and departments, local NGOs, grass
roots organizations & missionaries, to increase the impact of its
support and to promote that different needs of target populations can be
answered in a multi-sectoral way. In the field and internationally, AIFO
favors networking and coordination with international organizations to
promote a more efficient utilization of the resources. AIFO has joint
projects with many European organizations, especially with organizations
which are members of ILEP, Circle of Solidarity Follereau-Damien and IDDC.
Usually
AIFO does not provide support to
requests coming from organizations based in developed countries
(including their branch offices based in developing countries),
even if their requests may be for their activities in developing
countries.
What
Kind Of Project Activities Can Receive Support From AIFO
AIFO
supports project activities in three main Areas:
-
Leprosy
control and Primary Health Care
-
Rehabilitation
of persons with disability
-
Development
activities aimed at vulnerable children
Generally
speaking AIFO prefers to support activities which are based in the
community, are sustainable and promote strengthening of local resources
in finding local solutions to the problems. Projects consisting
exclusively of specialized institutions are not supported by AIFO unless
these are part of referral system of on-going community-based activities.
In a new project, AIFO places lot of emphasis on starting and
strengthening of community based activities and only when these
activities are established, requests for strengthening of institutions
are taken in to consideration.
Activities
NOT supported by AIFO
Requests
from individuals for scholarships or grants, are not
taken in to consideration by AIFO. In the same way, AIFO does not
provide support for setting up of offices and for paying salaries,
unless these are part of a whole project funded by AIFO. Even in the
projects supported by AIFO, providing salaries and/or incentives for
Governmental personnel is generally not
taken in to consideration for reasons of sustainability. For projects
managed by NGOs and missionaries, AIFO can provide limited amount of
funds towards the costs of personnel. In such cases, AIFO accepts that
the salaries provided be at the most similar to those provided by local/national Government
in the project areas. The financial costs for salaries in a
NGO/missionary managed project should not
be more than 35% of the total project costs. Finally, isolated requests
like providing a vehicle or buying of equipment are not taken in to consideration by AIFO.
When
to present the request
Since
2009, because of financial difficulties, no new project requests are
being accepted till further notice.
