Since 1954 we have been implementing numerous projects throughout the world.
In the lasts 30 years we have been focussing on Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East.
The aim of every activity implemented abroad as well as in Italy is to trigger the type of change that will lead to a better and fairer future for all.
CELIM manages to obtain tangible results because it sets concrete objectives; every time each one is achieved, the vision of a different world appears ever more true. We deal with many issues because the needs are not all the same. We care deeply about the people living in the environments in which we operate, and we strive to achieve an integral development.
This is our impact to change, this is the spirit with which we live it.
Education is a right on which citizenship, democracy, equality and freedom are based. This is why we devote ourselves to supplying literacy activities for children and adults and to setting up schools and vocational training centres where these facilities and these services are either lacking or inadequate.
As part of our most recent activities we supported 17 community schools in Zambia by distributing books and school materials, refurbishing 5 buildings and training 124 teachers.
Education opens the mind and encourages us, here as elsewhere, to adopt changes in our lifestyle that point towards a fairer world: for this reason in Italy we organize educational meetings with adults and for schools of all type and level.
Lastly, professional training offers new generations the chance to build a future in their homeland, without being forced to migrate in the hope of finding better economic and social life conditions. This is why our projects always focus also on training their beneficiaries.
vocational training centres built or extended in Africa and in the Balkans
community schools assisted in Zambia and Mozambique
children and young people have taken part in educational courses in Italy since 1982
adults trained in Italy, Africa and the Balkans since 2013
In recent years, in collaboration with qualified professionals, local authorities, universities and companies in this sector, we have launched activities aimed at promoting and putting into practice renewable energy, such as training, employment and territory safeguard opportunities.
In Italy and in the world, we motivate people to adopt sustainable behaviours aimed at environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and waste reduction and management, alongside activities aimed at improving the economic conditions of the population.
An example? In Albania we helped promote the use of renewable energy through the launch of professional courses and workshops, the installation of plants for the benefit of social enterprises, the opening of Technology Transfer points and the creation of a Green Energy Park, which won an award as one of the best innovative ideas in the Balkans at the 2012 European Solar Days.
renewable energy plants installed in Africa and in the Balkans
trees planted and 47,000 seedlings in nurseries in Africa since 2010
tonnes of waste material recycled in Africa and in the Balkans since 2012
people made aware of environmental issues in Italy, Africa and the Balkans since 2010
Food safety, good health and hygiene life conditions and access to medical healthcare are fundamental. On an empty stomach any talk on human development is futile: for this reason we have always paid particular attention to the agricultural development of communities, to guarantee that their immediate needs are satisfied, to enable them to achieve food self-sufficiency, to improve family economy.
Waste reduction and management activities, interventions aimed at fighting malnutrition and supporting hospital facilities complete the picture. Like the Mtendere Mission Hospital: CELIM continues to support the growth of this structure which, from a small surgery, has become a point of reference for more than 60,000 people.
women involved in horticulture and nutrition education activities
healthcare facilities and nutrition centres built or refurbished in Africa
classes involved in health education courses in Milan since 2010
seeds kit distributed in Africa in the last 2 years
We supply communities with technical and financial help to start, manage and develop income-generating micro-initiatives.
Training and supplying micro-loans helps to lift so-called “unbankable” individuals out of poverty and marginalization through the set-up of small businesses.
Some projects have led to the creation of veritable microcredit organizations: the ‘Association Qelim KosovӪ, created in Kosovo in 2006, is still operating; the ‘Empowerment Micro Finance Institution (EMFI) LTD, created in Zambia in 2008, was subsequently taken over by a Zambian microfinance institution.
people have received micro-loans in Africa and the Balkans since 2006
income-generating activities created in Africa and the Balkans since 2006
small farmers and fishermen supported in Africa and the Balkans since 2006
return migrants helped to find work
We enhance the tourism assets of some places by building accommodation aimed at developing and strengthening the activities of communities, with no adverse impact on the surrounding environment. Just like Olga’s – the Italian Corner, a restaurant and lodge near the world-known waterfalls in Livingstone (Zambia), that has been receiving the Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor for many years. Today the structure is no longer managed by us, but its profits keep supporting a vocational training Centre for young people living in difficult conditions.
We support the so-called ecotourism by backing experiences and realities that promote environment and biodiversity knowledge.
We work with tour operators that share our ethical principles, in order to raise awareness in travellers and make them more responsible.
fields of knowledge organized in Albania, Zambia and Mozambique
hospitality facilities created in Africa
young people trained on tourist and hotel topics within the tourist structures created
info point for tourists set in Albania in the last 2 years