International Friendship Association (IFA)

International Friendship Association (IFA) gGmbH, founded in 2017 and legally registered as a nonprofit organization in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is committed to fostering intercultural understanding, integration, and social development. Recognized by the Frankfurt tax office as a tax-privileged nonprofit organization (§§ 51–68 AO), IFA holds the same charitable status as a registered association (e.V.).

Our purpose is rooted in three key areas of public benefit:

Supporting individuals who are politically, racially, or religiously persecuted, including refugees and displaced persons (§ 52 para. 2 no. 10 AO),
Promoting international understanding and peaceful coexistence (§ 52 para. 2 no. 13 AO),
Advancing development cooperation to address global challenges (§ 52 para. 2 no. 15 AO).

In alignment with these principles, our mission is to:

Empower refugee and diaspora communities in Germany by providing targeted support, resources, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Promote successful integration of immigrant children and youth through educational initiatives and community engagement.
Encourage peace and intercultural dialogue, fostering mutual respect and understanding among diverse cultures.
Facilitate bilateral exchange between Germany and Ethiopia through conferences, workshops, and collaborative projects.
Strengthen international development efforts by partnering with organizations and stakeholders to create sustainable solutions.
Support disadvantaged groups in Ethiopia, especially women and children, through impactful sponsorship and empowerment programs.

Together, we strive to build inclusive communities, foster global solidarity, and create pathways to a better future for all.

Intercultural Integration: A Shared Path to an Inclusive Society

True intercultural integration means equal participation in every aspect of social life—economic, legal, political, and cultural. It is not a one-way process but a mutual transformation, enriching both newcomers and the host society.

Integration thrives in everyday community spaces: neighborhoods, workplaces, places of worship, and local organizations. It cannot succeed through isolated efforts—it demands commitment from all members of society, both with and without migrant backgrounds, as well as supportive policies from the state.

Building an integrated society is not just an ideal; it is a collective responsibility that strengthens social cohesion and unlocks the full potential of diversity. Only through shared action can we create communities where everyone belongs.

"Together in Frankfurt": Fostering Intercultural Connections Through Children

This joint initiative promotes social cohesion and cultural exchange among children in Frankfurt am Main. By focusing on neighborhood engagement, artistic expression, and inclusive participation, the project:

Strengthens community bonds across cultures
Encourages social integration through shared experiences
Celebrates diversity through creative arts
Empowers children as active participants in shaping their community

Through interactive activities and collaborative learning, we're building bridges between cultures and creating a more inclusive, vibrant Frankfurt – starting with its youngest residents.

Because when children connect, communities grow stronger.

The devastating impact of HIV/AIDS has left countless orphans across Ethiopia, creating profound challenges for the nation.

Children are among the most vulnerable, with many orphaned or even infected by the virus. The lifelong consequences of this crisis threaten their physical, emotional, and social development, risking a lost generation with little hope for the future.

Without urgent intervention, these children face a cycle of poverty, stigma, and diminished opportunities. Addressing their needs is critical to breaking this cycle and ensuring a brighter tomorrow for Ethiopia’s next generation.

“Child Sponsorship Real help, Real Change!”

Today’s Children Are Tomorrow’s Leaders – Sponsor a Child and Change a Life

Every child deserves a chance to thrive. Child sponsorship creates a powerful bond between you and a child in need, offering them security, hope, and a brighter future. In return, you gain the profound satisfaction of knowing your support is transforming a young life.

How Your Sponsorship Helps:

Provides nutritious food, clothing, and basic healthcare
Ensures access to education and immunization
Creates a safer, healthier environment for a child to grow

For just €30 a month (€360 a year), you can change a child’s world. This small contribution makes an enormous difference in Ethiopia, where the need is greatest. Your support gives vulnerable children the essentials they need to break the cycle of poverty and build a better tomorrow.

Your Generosity Changes Lives
Every donation—whether a one-time gift, monthly sponsorship, grant, or legacy—helps IFA reach more marginalized children. No amount is too small; even $1 a day can rewrite a child’s future.

Imagine the impact of your kindness. Join us in creating hope for Ethiopia’s children. Sponsor a child today and be part of their journey to a brighter future!

Provision of Educational materials to orphaned and marginalized children

Support International Friendship Association (IFA) gGmbH. Your Donation is Tax-Deductible!Your generous donation to International Friendship Association (IFA) gGmbH helps us foster global connections and meaningful initiatives. As a registered non-profit, your contribution is tax-deductible for taxpayers in Germany regardless of nationality. By donating, you not only support our mission but also benefit from potential tax savings. Together, we can build bridges of friendship and understanding across borders.
Donate today and make a lasting impact!

50€

IFA Mission: To promote grassroots, community-centered development for socio-economic improvement, focusing on vulnerable children and women in rural Ethiopia.

Project Context: Girls' Education in Dodola District
In the Dodola District ( Ethiopia, Oromia Region, West Arsi Zone), many marginalized girls, especially orphans, cannot attend secondary school due to poverty. Families lack the resources to support their education, forcing girls to drop out. Orphans face dual barriers of poverty and lack of family support.

To attend school, these girls often relocate, living with relatives or in shared, unsafe housing in towns. This makes them highly vulnerable to exploitation, unwanted pregnancies, and HIV infection, risks compounded by low awareness of self-protection.

IFA's Intervention
Recognizing the need for comprehensive action to address these issues and the educational gender gap, IFA is launching a project in Dodola. The project will boost secondary school enrollment and retention for selected disadvantaged girls by providing:

Educational financial and material support
HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention training
Mentoring programs

With a second donation from Grace Impact gGmbH, the International Friendship Association (IFA) is furthering its support for orphaned and marginalized girls' education and empowerment in the Dodola District (West Arsi Zone, Oromia). Consequently, 30 girls selected for their strong primary school performance have been provided with essential educational materials, uniforms, and school bags.

Situation of destitute Women

Women in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, face significant socio-economic vulnerabilities due to extreme poverty and deep-rooted socio-cultural marginalization.

Rural women remain one of the most disadvantaged groups in Ethiopian society. In the project area—a typical rural setting—women and girls are primarily confined to household chores, with little to no voice in family decisions. They are often denied access to basic education, subjected to domestic violence, and restricted from leaving their homes, leaving them entirely dependent on male family members.

This project aims to transform the lives of these marginalized women and must therefore receive urgent attention from all stakeholders and development partners. Continued neglect will only deepen their poverty and dependency to unmanageable levels.

Empowering women is key to addressing inequality, subordination, and marginalization. To strengthen and uplift vulnerable women, fostering active participation to improve their socio-economic conditions is vital. The initiative will focus on:

Enhancing productivity and self-reliance,
Providing access to functional adult literacy programs,
Delivering skill-based training, and
Creating sustainable income-generating opportunities.

Through these interventions, marginalized women will gain the tools to achieve economic independence and improve their livelihoods.

Orientation and Skill Training For Women Self-help Group (SHG)

Income Generating Activities (IGA)

Income Generating Activities (IGA)

Income Generating Activities (IGA)

Saving and loan

Functional Adult Literacy

https://blockchair.com/it/donut/ifa

Establishing a Center of Excellence in Ethiopia

In alignment with our mission, we are proud to spearhead a groundbreaking project to establish a multipurpose Training Center of Excellence in Ethiopia. This initiative is designed to address critical local and international workforce needs while fostering sustainable development.

Key Objectives:

Capacity Building: Providing tailored training programs to develop the skills and capabilities of Ethiopia’s workforce.
Job Creation: Generating meaningful employment opportunities within the Ethiopian economy.
Workforce Empowerment: Equipping individuals with competencies to meet labor demands in both Ethiopia and Germany.
Bridging Skill Gaps: Addressing labor shortages in Germany through cross-border skill development and collaboration.
Language Training: Offering German language instruction to job seekers preparing for opportunities in Germany.
Vocational Education and Training (VET): Implementing action-oriented learning programs in vocational education and training.
State-of-the-Art Training Facility: Equipping the multipurpose center with cutting-edge tools and methodologies to provide high-quality training and education.

Join Us

Through these efforts, IFA gGmbH is committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities, both locally and internationally. By creating pathways for skill development, integration, and collaboration, we aim to build a brighter future for all.

We invite you to partner with us, support our initiatives, and join our mission to inspire change and foster understanding. Together, we can make a difference.

https://www.imove-germany.de/de/kooperationsboerse.htm?id=14142&p=detail&portal=2

From Root to Roast – Supporting Sustainable Coffee Communities

🌱 Why Coffee Matters

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and one of the world's most prominent coffee producers. Despite this legacy, many coffee farmers in rural Ethiopia lack access to modern farming techniques, quality control methods, and international markets. As a result, their coffee fetches lower prices, and they remain trapped in cycles of poverty.

Coffee is more than just a beverage—it's a way of life for millions of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, the birthplace of Arabica coffee. Ethiopia’s highlands produce some of the finest coffee in the world, yet many farmers live in poverty, lacking access to training, market opportunities, and fair prices for their harvest.

At the International Friendship Association (IFA), we believe that empowering rural coffee farmers is key to sustainable development, environmental protection, and community well-being.

🎯 Our Mission in Coffee

IFA partners with local governments, cooperatives, and global stakeholders to:

✅ Provide training in sustainable coffee farming—from planting to post-harvest handling
✅ Support the formation of farmer cooperatives to increase bargaining power
✅ Facilitate direct market access to ethical buyers and European roasters
✅ Promote environmental stewardship through agroforestry and organic practices
✅ Help farmers achieve certifications (e.g., Fairtrade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance)

Empowering Ethiopia’s coffee farmers is not just about agriculture—it is about dignity, sustainability, and economic freedom. By supporting this initiative, stakeholders will contribute to improved livelihoods, environmental protection, and a stronger Ethiopian coffee industry.

🌍 A Global Bridge

Through our dual presence in Germany and Ethiopia, we serve as a bridge between farmers and the global coffee industry. Our work enables farmers to reach international markets, receive fairer prices, and invest in their families and communities.