Non-government agencies, commonly called NGOs, tend to be non-profit organisations that operate independently of governments and government organisations. Most of Italy’s global development NGOs are relatively small, with fewer than 100 employees, but they're also surprisingly influential.
The country enjoys an internationally-recognised focus on humanitarian work supported by a large number of decentralised small and medium-sized organisations. Italy's vibrant Third Sector includes NGOs, volunteering, social support and charities, and Italian law lets anyone set up a foundation or association, the usual legal structure for charities that's regulated by the Italian Civil Code.
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At the same time the UN has a strong presence in Italy, with Rome home to the FAO, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, the WFP or World Food Programme, and IFAD, the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Health, food security and refugee assistance sit at the heart of Italy's NGO scene, and Official Development Assistance - ODA – shot up by 10% between 2016 and 2017 thanks to increases in bilateral grants, the cost of hosting refugees, and funding for development programmes, up 12% in 2016 compared to 2017.