Associazione Gruppo Yoda

What Associazione Gruppo Yoda does

Yoda APS (Associazione Gruppo Yoda) is a Bologna-based non-profit association (Associazione di Promozione Sociale, registered as an Ente del Terzo Settore) founded in 1996, operating for nearly three decades in intercultural exchange, youth mobility, international cooperation, and responsible tourism. The organization functions as a network delivering a portfolio of programs rather than a single product: the annual IT.A.CÀ Festival del Turismo Responsabile (now in its 18th edition), Erasmus+ and Vamolà youth exchanges, international cooperation projects across 13+ countries (notably the AICS-funded SEED women's empowerment project in Tunisia, ARPA water-reuse work in Palestine with WeWorld-GVC, and multi-decade Saharawi support), and territorial development initiatives in the Bolognese Apennines (Camugnano community mapping, Giovani in Appennino, inclusive cyclotourism). It serves youth aged 18–35, schools, local communities in Emilia-Romagna, and international cooperation beneficiaries in the Global South.

The association operates with a staff of approximately 31 people from a single headquarters at Via della Salita 31, Bologna. Its underlying "technology" is programmatic and methodological rather than software: accumulated curricula (e.g., the PCTO Digital Innovation in Sustainable Tourism developed with ART-ER), community-mapping methodologies, training formats (Sense of Place multi-sensory itineraries), and 18 years of festival content curated by an academic-practitioner leadership team (President Pierluigi Musarò, University of Bologna researcher). There is no proprietary software platform, app, or digital product; distribution is delivered through direct membership enrollment, international volunteer camp participation, and partnerships with regional and EU institutions.

The business model is that of a project-funded third-sector entity. Revenue streams are public project grants (Regione Emilia-Romagna, EU Erasmus+ and DEAR programs, AICS), membership fees and donations (including 5x1000 tax designations), and participant contribution fees for international volunteer camps. Commercial pricing is not disclosed and is not the operating logic; financial sustainability is anchored on multi-year grant cycles and institutional co-financing rather than on unit economics or commercial customers.

Name

Associazione Gruppo Yoda

Legal name

Yoda APS – Associazione di Promozione Sociale – Ente del Terzo Settore

Website

https://gruppoyoda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Yoda APS is a Bologna-based non-profit association founded in 1996 that delivers intercultural exchange, youth mobility, international cooperation, and responsible tourism programs across Italy and 13+ countries. It serves youth, schools, local communities, and Global South beneficiaries through festivals, volunteer camps, and institutional partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Cooperation Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAOAC

Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Donor Coordination, Grantmaking & Development Finance Programs

SECONDARYEDADALAC

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

SECONDARYEDAIAGAK

Work Exchange & Farmstay Programs (WWOOF/HelpX-Style)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Service Learning, Volunteering & Gap Year Programs

SECONDARYBPAGAHAG

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Nonprofit social programs
• Youth mobility programs
• International cooperation
• Responsible tourism
• Intercultural exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and donations: Revenue generated through annual membership fees and voluntary donations, including 5x1000 tax designation contributions from Italian taxpayers.
2. Public project funding: Majority of funding comes from public institutions including Regione Emilia-Romagna, EU programs (Erasmus+, DEAR projects), and international cooperation agencies (AICS - Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo) for specific project implementation.
3. Voluntary contribution fees: Participants in international volunteer camps pay contribution fees that cover logistics, accommodation, insurance, and association membership. These fees vary by project and destination.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Yoda APS is a nonprofit association delivering a portfolio of social programs centered on intercultural exchange, youth mobility (Erasmus+ and Vamolà), responsible tourism (IT.A.CÀ Festival), international cooperation projects (SEED Tunisia, Saharawi, Palestine, Mozambique), and local territorial development in the Bolognese Apennines. Offerings are delivered through community events, volunteer camps, training seminars, educational PCTO programs, and awareness campaigns, and are funded primarily through public grants, donations, and membership fees.

Product overview

Associazione Gruppo Yoda is a non-profit association (APS) established in 1996, operating as a network focused on social justice, intercultural exchange, and community development. The organization does not offer a unified technology product or software platform. Instead, it delivers a portfolio of social programs and initiatives including: the IT.A.CÀ Festival del Turismo Responsabile (responsible tourism festival in its 18th edition), youth mobility programs under Erasmus+ and Vamolà, international cooperation projects in Tunisia (SEED), Morocco, Mozambique, Saharawi, Palestine, and Colombia, territorial development programs in the Bolognese Apennines, accessibility and inclusive tourism training (Sense of Place), environmental justice initiatives (Choose to Change/Climate of Change), cultural events (DisoBBedienze festival), educational programs (Digital Innovation in Sustainable Tourism PCTO), and long-term support for Saharawi refugees. These programs collectively address themes of intercultural understanding, social equity, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IT.A.CÀ Festival: Festival del turismo responsabile - Migrants and travelers responsible tourism festival, now in its XVIII edition (2026)

Products and services

• IT.A.CÀ Festival del Turismo Responsabile Annual festival on responsible tourism, cultural exchange, and migration themes featuring workshops, conferences, and cultural events. Open to the public, with the 2026 edition marking the XVIII year of programming.
• Vamolà – Giovani per un turismo responsabile Youth exchange program promoting responsible tourism between young people of Emiliano-Romagnolo descent residing in Buenos Aires and youth in Italy. Participants engage in intercultural learning and responsible tourism activities.
• Erasmus+ Youth Mobility Projects EU-funded youth mobility initiatives including intercultural exchanges, volunteer camps, and educational programs targeting young participants. Projects include 'Giovani per la sostenibilità' (2019) and earlier exchanges (2010–2012).
• International Cooperation Projects International cooperation initiatives including volunteer camps, youth exchanges, and development projects in countries such as Tunisia (SEED project for women's economic empowerment), Morocco, Mozambique, Saharawi, Palestine, and Colombia.
• Territorial Projects (Appennino Bolognese) Community development initiatives in the Bolognese Apennines including the Camugnano community mapping project, 'Giovani in Appennino' youth programs, and inclusive tourism development.
• Sense of Place – Accessible Multi-Sensory Itineraries Training and co-design program for creating accessible and multi-sensory itineraries in the Bolognese area, promoting inclusive tourism experiences.
• Choose to Change – Environmental Justice Program Project promoting environmental sustainability and climate justice awareness, part of the 'Climate of Change' EU initiative targeting 146 cities in the ECCAR network.
• DisoBBedienze Cultural Festival Annual theater, meetings, and workshops festival exploring themes of civil disobedience and social engagement. Multiple editions produced between 2012 and 2023.
• Inclusive Cyclotourism Seminars Educational seminars on inclusive cycling tourism, covering accessibility concepts and their practical applications for administrators and businesses.
• Digital Innovation in Sustainable Tourism (PCTO Program) School-to-work transition program (PCTO) for tourism-focused institutions in Emilia-Romagna developed in partnership with ART-ER, focusing on digital skills for sustainable tourism innovation.
• SEED: Women's Economic Empowerment (Tunisia) Three-year project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), supporting women's economic empowerment in agro-food microenterprises across six Tunisian governorates.
• Saharawi Support Programs Multi-year support programs for the Saharawi people in Algerian refugee camps, including school integration, disability assistance, professional training, and income-generating activities. Active since 2001.

Quantifiable outcome

• IT.A.CÀ festival selected among excellence examples by IDEAS Italy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• We WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Lead implementing partner for SEED project (Sostegno all'Empowerment Economico delle Donne) in Tunisia, funded by AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation). Yoda APS contributes visibility and awareness activities through IT.A.CÀ festival, providing evidence-based advocacy support.
• Regione Emilia-RomagnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor institutional funder and project partner supporting international cooperation (SEED, ProAgro) and territorial projects. Provides co-financing for multiple initiatives including PCTO programs and youth mobility.
• BOOREA EMILIA OVEST SCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural cooperative partner in the SEED project in Tunisia, contributing to the agribusiness development component targeting micro-enterprises.
• ACULCO (Madrid, Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing NGO partner based in Madrid collaborating on youth mobility projects since 2010. Jointly organizes Erasmus+ and Youth in Action exchanges including 'Giovani per la sostenibilità' project with 20 young participants.
• ART-ER (Attrattività, Ricerca, Territorio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional consortium company of Emilia-Romagna for sustainable growth and innovation. Co-organized PCTO program on digital innovation in sustainable tourism with Yoda APS for regional vocational schools.
• Municipality of BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner coordinating youth advocacy actions including ECCAR 2022 General Assembly in Istanbul. Coordinates Climate of Change project activities targeting 146 cities in the ECCAR network.
• ECCAR (European Coalition of Cities against Racism)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network of 146 cities coordinated by Municipality of Bologna for the Climate of Change project. Yoda APS facilitated youth participation in advocacy actions at the 2022 General Assembly in Kadiköy, Istanbul.
• GVC (ONG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian development NGO and long-term collaborator on international projects including volunteer camps in Palestine, Tunisia, and Latin America. Jointly organized numerous fields and awareness events since 2011.
• Nexus Emilia RomagnaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development association partnering on Saharawi projects including professional training, school integration, and economic empowerment programs in refugee camps.
• ARCS - Arci Cultura e SviluppominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian development organization coordinating the 'I giovani e le donne' HIV prevention project in Mozambique in collaboration with Yoda APS, Iscos, Mani Tese.
• Iscos Emilia-RomagnaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade union development organization collaborating on Mozambique youth and women empowerment projects including agricultural training.
• Flashfumetto.itminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCartoon and illustration association collaborating on youth creative competitions including 'Perdersi a...' international comic contest between Bologna and Maputo.
• Hamelin Associazione CulturaleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCultural association co-organizing youth creative competitions and artistic exchange projects with Flashfumetto and Yoda APS.
• Comune di BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner for numerous local projects including Bologna Città 30, pedestrian safety campaigns, and youth policy initiatives in the metropolitan area.
• WeWorld-GVCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined entity implementing ARPA water treatment project in Palestine. Yoda APS provides evidence collection and awareness activities supporting agricultural water reuse initiatives in Beit Dajan.
• UAWC (Union of Agricultural Work Committees)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalestinian farmers' union partner for agricultural projects and volunteer camp activities including olive harvesting in occupied territories.
• Cooperativa MadreselvaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural cooperative partner for Giovani in Appennino project, collaborating on youth engagement in Apennine territory development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Iscos Emilia-Romagna: Trade union-linked development NGO co-implementing Mozambique youth and women empowerment projects with Yoda APS; comparable in regional Italian base, EU-funded international cooperation portfolio, and vocational training orientation.
• GVC (ONG): Italian NGO managing international cooperation projects and volunteer camps in Palestine, Tunisia, and Latin America; Yoda APS has collaborated with GVC since 2011 on volunteer fields and awareness events, making it a direct operational peer in international cooperation.
• WeWorld: Large Italian NGO implementing women empowerment and development projects funded by AICS; Yoda APS is the lead implementing partner with WeWorld on the SEED project in Tunisia, directly aligning their international cooperation operating models.
• COSPE: Italian NGO focused on international cooperation, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable local development in the Mediterranean and Africa; comparable in scope to Yoda APS's combination of international cooperation, youth mobility, and territorial development work.
• ARCS - Arci Cultura e Sviluppo: Italian NGO coordinating international development projects including health (HIV) and youth/women empowerment in Mozambique; Yoda APS is a co-implementing partner with ARCS on the 'I giovani e le donne' HIV prevention project, sharing target geographies and methodology.
• Mani Tese: Italian NGO engaged in international cooperation, responsible consumption campaigns, and youth education; operates volunteer camps and youth engagement programs similar to Yoda APS's volunteer camps and Erasmus+ activities.
• CELIM: Italian NGO active in international cooperation and youth mobility with focus on Africa and the Balkans; shares Yoda APS's model of combining volunteer camps, EU-funded projects, and educational exchanges.
• Nexus Emilia Romagna: Regional development association in Emilia-Romagna partnering with Yoda APS on Saharawi professional training and school integration; represents the same regional Italian base and similar international solidarity/development focus.
• ACULCO: Madrid-based NGO running youth mobility and Erasmus+ exchanges since 2010 in partnership with Yoda APS; comparable in being a small-to-mid-sized civil society organization focused on intercultural exchange and youth international projects.

Broad incumbents

• AOI - Associazione Organizzazioni Italiane Cooperazione e Solidarietà Internazionale: Umbrella association representing the majority of Italian NGOs and civil society organizations engaged in international cooperation and solidarity; Yoda APS is a member of the broader Italian NGO sector AOI represents, providing comparative macro context for the organization's scale and positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/associazione-gruppo-yoda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Associazione Gruppo Yoda