What Forum Terzo Settore does

Forum Terzo Settore, legally Forum Nazionale del Terzo Settore ETS, is an Italian non-profit association founded in 1994 that serves as the principal national coalition and advocacy body for Italy's third sector organizations — comprising voluntary associations, social cooperatives, foundations, NGOs, and other entities operating in welfare, social inclusion, education, disability, elderly care, and migration. It functions as an institutional interlocutor between its 1,400+ member organizations and the Italian government, Parliament, regional administrations, and EU bodies, with formal standing in structures such as the PNRR Tavolo permanente per il partenariato economico, sociale e territoriale (joined October 2021). Its service portfolio centers on policy advocacy, legislative monitoring (weekly 'Dal Parlamento', monthly 'Dalle Regioni', 'Dall'Europa'), training and capacity-building (FQTS, Piattaforma Formativa), research publications (including joint reports with Openpolis on PNRR and social policies), and communications (Giornale Radio Sociale, newsletter, press releases).

The organization's business model is non-commercial and rests on three documented revenue streams: allocations from Italy's 5 per mille tax designation program (administered by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies), membership fees and contributions from its 1,400+ member organizations, and project-based institutional grants from government ministries, EU funds, PNRR resources, and philanthropic foundations including Fondazione Cariplo, Fondazione con il Sud, and ACRI member foundations. No commercial products or services are sold; all outputs — advocacy positions, training, publications, and the radio program — are provided to members and the public free of charge or funded through grants.

Its operational footprint is nationwide, with national headquarters in Rome and a federated structure of regional forums (Lombardia, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Toscana, Piemonte, Puglia, Calabria, Sardegna, Marche, Liguria, Campania, plus Sicilia and Basilicata) and provincial forums (Ferrara, Catania, Cosenza, Ravenna, Brindisi, Piacenza, among others). Strategic partners and coalition co-founders include ASVIS, Alleanza contro la Povertà (alongside CGIL, CISL, UIL, ANCI, and Caritas), Con i Bambini, Openpolis, ANCI, and CSVnet. The Forum does not develop proprietary technology products; its platform footprint consists of a website, newsletter, social radio program, and training portal. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Forum Terzo Settore

Legal name

Forum Nazionale del Terzo Settore ETS

Website

https://forumterzosettore.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Forum Terzo Settore is Italy's national non-profit coalition, founded in 1994, representing 1,400+ third sector organizations and advocating for social policies on poverty, disability, elderly care, and education with government, Parliament, and EU bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Policy Advocacy / Third Sector Coalition

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Third sector advocacy
• Nonprofit coalition
• Social policy monitoring
• Civil society representation
• Welfare policy coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 5 per mille (5 per thousand) public funding: Forum Terzo Settore receives public funding through the Italian '5 per mille' mechanism, where taxpayers can allocate a portion of their income tax to designated non-profit organizations. Lists of payment disbursements for the 5 per mille program are published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies.
2. Membership fees and contributions from member organizations: The Forum is sustained through contributions from its member organizations and associate entities, which include national associations, cooperatives, and third sector entities that pay membership fees to participate in the Forum's activities and governance.
3. Institutional grants and project funding: The Forum receives institutional funding and project-based grants from government bodies (Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Education, EU funds, PNRR resources) and philanthropic foundations (Fondazione Cariplo, Fondazione con il Sud, ACRI member foundations) for specific initiatives such as social policy research, educational programs, and third sector development projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forum Terzo Settore is a national non-profit association and coalition that represents and coordinates Italy's third sector organizations — voluntary associations, social cooperatives, foundations, NGOs, and volunteer entities. It provides institutional advocacy before Parliament and ministries, policy monitoring (parliamentary, regional, EU), training programs (FQTS, Piattaforma Formativa), and communication services including the Giornale Radio Sociale and newsletter. Its activities are sustained through membership contributions, the 5 per mille mechanism, and institutional grants, and are provided to member organizations and the broader third sector free of charge.

Product overview

Forum Terzo Settore is a national coordination and advocacy network for Italy's third sector (non-profit organizations, charities, cooperatives, and volunteer associations). Rather than offering a unified software product, the organization provides a portfolio of communication, training, and research services including the Giornale Radio Sociale (social radio journal), a newsletter service, training platforms (FQTS and Piattaforma Formativa), and monitoring services covering poverty policies, parliamentary activities, regional welfare developments, and European Union initiatives. These services support information sharing, professional development, and policy advocacy for third sector organizations across Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Giornale Radio Sociale A social radio journal program providing news, policy analysis, and information related to social issues and the third sector in Italy. It covers third sector news, social policy, and civil society topics and is co-sponsored by the Forum and partner organizations including UISP. It serves third sector organizations, policymakers, journalists, and the general public interested in Italian social policy.
• Newsletter Service An email newsletter delivering regular updates on third sector news, policy developments, events, publications, and advocacy campaigns to subscribers and member organizations. Subscription is available through the Forum's website newsletter section.
• Formazione (Training Programs for Third Sector) Training and educational programs for third sector organizations, including FQTS (Formazione Qualificata del Terzo Settore) and other professional development initiatives. These programs build capacity among third sector professionals, volunteers, and member organizations across Italy.
• Piattaforma Formativa A formative online platform providing educational resources and courses for third sector professionals and volunteers. It serves as the digital delivery mechanism for the Forum's training initiatives and capacity-building programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Coordinated advocacy that contributed to the passage of the Ddl Povertà (2017), establishing Italy's first universal anti-poverty measure (Reddito di Inclusione / REI)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alleanza contro la Povertà in ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2013The Forum is a founding and active member of the Alleanza contro la Povertà in Italia (Alliance Against Poverty in Italy), a broad coalition launched in November 2013 comprising trade unions (CGIL, CISL, UIL), civil society organizations, local government associations (ANCI), and religious organizations (Caritas). The Alliance campaigns for universal anti-poverty policies including the introduction of a Reddito di Inclusione Sociale (REIS) and a national anti-poverty plan. Its members were received at the Quirinale (Presidency of the Republic) in June 2014.
• ASVIS – Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo SostenibilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForum Terzo Settore is a founding member of ASVIS (Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile), the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development. ASVIS coordinates Italian civil society engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Forum contributes expertise on social policy, third sector development, and SDG implementation in Italy.
• Con i BambinicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCon i Bambini is a foundation established by ACRI (the association of Italian banking foundations) in collaboration with the Italian Government to combat educational child poverty. The Forum collaborated in developing the criteria and governance of the educational poverty fund, and member organizations participate as project partners in funded initiatives. The Forum's regional branches are actively involved in local project implementation.
• Fondazione con il SudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondazione con il Sud is a major Italian philanthropic foundation that funds civil society and third sector development in Southern Italy. The Forum is listed among its founders and key partners, collaborating on initiatives to strengthen the social sector in the Mezzogiorno. Fondazione con il Sud has funded multiple Forum initiatives and third sector projects.
• ACRI (Associazione di Fondazioni di Origine Bancaria e Casse di Risparmio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACRI is the national association of Italian banking foundations and savings banks. Through the 5 per mille program and joint initiatives with Con i Bambini and other ACRI-funded projects, ACRI and its member foundations collaborate closely with the Forum on social investment, educational poverty, and third sector development.
• ANCI (Associazione Nazionale Comuni Italiani)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities) is a key institutional partner of the Forum. Both organizations collaborate on welfare policy, local government finance, social services, and the implementation of third sector legislation. The Forum and ANCI are both members of the Alleanza contro la Povertà and have signed joint protocols on co-programmazione (shared programming) of social policies.
• Caritas ItalianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaritas Italiana is the national charitable organization of the Italian Bishops' Conference. It is a long-standing partner of the Forum, collaborating on anti-poverty advocacy (Alleanza contro la Povertà), emergency response, social inclusion programs, and food assistance. Both organizations are founding members of the Alleanza contro la Povertà and jointly participate in institutional consultations.
• Istituto Italiano della Donazione (IID)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forum is listed among the founders of the Istituto Italiano della Donazione (Italian Institute of Donation), which promotes a 'Giornata Italiana della Donazione' (Italian Donation Day). The collaboration focuses on promoting a culture of donation and solidarity in Italy.
• Fondazione CariplocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondazione Cariplo is one of Italy's largest philanthropic foundations based in Milan, Lombardy. It has partnered with the Forum on initiatives including the presentation of the educational poverty measure (December 2016), the Master BEEurope project for European project development training, and broader welfare community development programs in Lombardy.
• OpenpoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forum has partnered with Openpolis, an Italian civic tech organization, to produce joint research and monitoring reports on the PNRR and social policies. Notable outputs include the report 'Pnrr e Terzo settore: cosa cambia e perché' (2024) and 'Il Pnrr, le politiche sociali e il Terzo settore' (2023) analyzing PNRR impact on social policies.
• Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche SocialicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forum maintains a formal institutional relationship with Italy's Ministry of Labor and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali). The Ministry oversees the 5 per mille program, third sector legislation (Codice del Terzo Settore), and social policy funding that directly affect the Forum's constituency.
• CSVnet (Centri di Servizio per il Volontariato)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSVnet is the national coordination of Italian Volunteer Service Centers. The Forum and CSVnet co-organize the annual Giornata del Volontariato (December 5) events, coordinate the 'Palermo Capitale Italiana del Volontariato 2025' initiative, and collaborate on volunteer recognition and development programs.
• ISTAT (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica)minorOthersThe Forum collaborates with ISTAT (Italy's National Institute of Statistics) on data collection and analysis related to the third sector, poverty statistics, and social indicators. ISTAT data on poverty, social exclusion, and third sector activity are frequently cited in Forum publications and advocacy.
• Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito (MIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forum collaborated with the Ministry of Education (MIUR/MIM) on an agreement to implement educational projects in disadvantaged areas with high school dropout rates, with particular focus on inclusion of students with disabilities. The Forum was also consulted on PNRR measures related to educational poverty.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ANCI - Associazione Nazionale Comuni Italiani: National association representing Italian municipalities. Comparable to Forum Terzo Settore in its coalition structure, institutional standing in PNRR and welfare policy processes, and co-programming agreements with the Forum on social services and third sector legislation at the local government level.
• National Council of Nonprofits: US network of nonprofit organizations advocating for the sector at federal, state, and local levels. Functions as a comparable umbrella body mobilizing advocacy, providing capacity-building resources, and serving as the recognized sector voice on legislation and regulation affecting charitable organizations.
• Caritas Italiana: National charitable organization of the Italian Bishops' Conference. While broader in scope and faith-based in identity, Caritas operates as an institutional actor in anti-poverty advocacy (co-founder of Alleanza contro la Povertà with Forum Terzo Settore), emergency response, and direct social services across Italy, overlapping materially with the Forum's constituencies.
• Independent Sector: US national membership organization that brings together nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs to strengthen the charitable sector. The closest international analogue to Forum Terzo Settore in terms of aggregating diverse third sector actors, conducting policy advocacy, and producing research on sector trends and public policy.
• Charities Aid Foundation: International charity that helps companies, individuals, and charities connect to social causes through giving, policy advocacy, and research. Operates a comparable model combining research, advocacy, and donor engagement to strengthen civil society, making it a strong international peer for Forum Terzo Settore's coalition-building and policy-monitoring work.

Direct peers

• Alleanza contro la Povertà in Italia: Italian anti-poverty coalition launched in 2013 comprising trade unions (CGIL, CISL, UIL), civil society organizations, ANCI, and Caritas. Shares Forum Terzo Settore's advocacy, coalition-building, and policy influence functions, with significant membership overlap and joint initiatives on REI/anti-poverty legislation.
• Con i Bambini: Italian foundation established by ACRI in collaboration with the Government to combat educational child poverty. Operates the Fondo per il contrasto alla povertà educativa minorile (€66M+) and coordinates closely with Forum Terzo Settore as a peer foundation advancing third sector social policy goals through grantmaking and project funding.
• ASVIS - Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile: Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development, of which Forum Terzo Settore is a founding member. ASVIS coordinates civil society engagement on UN SDGs in Italy, mirroring Forum's role as a broad-based coalition aggregating diverse organizations into a unified institutional voice on social and sustainability policy.
• Fondazione con il Sud: Major Italian philanthropic foundation funding civil society and third sector development in Southern Italy. Listed as a founder/partner of Forum Terzo Settore, it shares comparable functions in mobilizing philanthropic capital, supporting NGO infrastructure, and advocating for Mezzogiorno social investment.
• CSVnet: National coordination body of Italian Volunteer Service Centers (Centri di Servizio per il Volontariato). Operates as a comparable umbrella/coordinating entity for volunteer support organizations in Italy, sharing Forum Terzo Settore's coalition, training, and institutional advocacy functions within the third sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forumterzosettore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Forum Terzo Settore