What is Fida? | Fida International

What is Fida?

Fida International is an international development organization. The word ‘fida’ originates from Latin and means faithful and reliable and in keeping with this, Fida International is a charitable organization that aims to help people across different cultures in a comprehensive way. Established in 1927, Fida has grown over the years to become one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Finland.

Today, Fida works with local partners in 29 countries to implement about 80 different community development programs. We also work with partners across nine countries to implement child sponsorship programs and provide humanitarian assistance in tsunami-affected countries and war-torn regions in East Africa.

Fida’s aim is to to help people in need all over the world by enabling sustainable development and improving living conditions in a comprehensive way. We believe that sustainable results can be achieved by strengthening the capacity of local partners and empowering them to become a positive influence in their own communities. Our development projects are based on training and capacity building of poor rural communities or vulnerable subgroups in cities. Special emphasis is given to comprehensive welfare of children, women and youth.

Our integrated community development programs address key areas and issues in each community, including education, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, water, health and sanitation, disabilities, care for orphans and the aged, and the environment.

Fida’s goals are closely interwoven with the ideal of self-reliance. We work to empower communities to idenitfy their problems, seek solutions, and implement sustainable action. Our aim is to motivate communities to work their way forward to a point of self-sufficiency, which will sustain future development efforts.

We also work closely with local partners in each country to enable them to exercise a greater positive influence in their communities. Capacity building and cross-cultural sharing of knowledge and on-ground experience are cornerstones of our development programs.

Our Vision

We are committed to meeting the needs of the physically, mentally or socially challenged through community education, changed attitudes and equal acceptance in society. Our objectives include: reduction of widespread poverty, prevention of global environmental problems and promotion of social equality, democracy and human rights.

Our Values

Fida International programs support the development policy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Finland, the goals of the United Nation’s Millennium declaration, and the Poverty Reduction Strategies of the cooperation countries. Fida is a signatory to “The Code of Conduct” principles of conduct, which states that aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone and aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Our functions and methods are in harmony with the official principles governing the Finnish development cooperation.

Fida abides by the laws of the recipient countries and respects their culture and traditions. Our work is based on the motivation of loving one’s neighbour. We do not practice any discrimination on the basis of age, sex, religion or culture.