COSPE is a no-profit association founded in Italy in 1983, operating in the international cooperation to overcome conditions of poverty and social injustice throughout the world. COSPE has branches officially registered and recognized in almost 20 countries with more than 90 ongoing projects in three main thematic areas:

• Human rights and Democracy: we work to widen the spaces for participation of citizens in the public and democratic life, especially of vulnerable groups and people at risk of exclusion. We work to promote enhancement of human rights and support to human rights defenders’ demands and protection
• Migrations: we work to guaranteeing the rights to migrants in countries of origin, transit and arrival. The goal is to build inclusive, multi-cultural and open societies, capable of making of diversity their wealth.
• Environment and new economies The intertwining of climate change and the increase in inequalities in an overpopulated world puts at great risk the stability of ecosystems and the right to a dignified life for an increasing number of people. Our response is an ecological conversion of the economy and lifestyles centred on social and solidarity economies.

COSPE cross-cutting approaches:

• Strengthening of Civil Society: The heart of COSPE action is the enhancement of local civil society’s resources, capacities and spaces, supporting social and economic movements, grass roots organisations and activists
• Women’s empowerment and rights: Gender inequalities are the oldest and the most pervasive in the world. COSPE supports the creation and growth of women’s associations, their economic and social autonomy and their political leadership, and of a gender approach to the development
• Social Inclusion and Protection: COSPE promote analysis and solutions to overcome systemic social exclusions, encouraging multi-stakeholders dialogue, capacitation of public institutions and empowerment and action of marginalized and vulnerable groups