Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai

What Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai does

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai (IBISG) is the Italian branch of Soka Gakkai International, a global Nichiren Buddhist movement operating in 192 countries and territories. Founded on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and the writings of Daisaku Ikeda, the organization serves Italian practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism through a network of cultural centers (sedi nazionali) where members gather for daily recitation of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, study of the Lotus Sutra, and group discussions (zadankai). The organization also engages interfaith communities, vulnerable populations, refugees, and youth through peacebuilding, cultural, and educational programs. Core products include publications through its affiliated Esperia Editore publishing house (books, periodicals, and riviste), the SGI Italia mobile application available on iOS and Android, the online Biblioteca di Nichiren digital library, and cultural programs such as the Senzatomica nuclear disarmament exhibition.

The organization's business model is anchored in the Italian 8x1000 taxpayer designation mechanism, under which Italian taxpayers may direct a portion of their income tax to recognized religious institutions. IBISG channels these funds into 130 social, educational, environmental, and cultural projects, having deployed over 28.7 million euros since 2020 through partnerships with entities including UNHCR Italia, UNDP, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), Gay Center, ARCI Nazionale, Refugees Welcome Italia, Fondazione Pangea Onlus, and Club of Rome. Supplementary revenue derives from voluntary member contributions, publication sales, and subscriptions. Membership participation in Buddhist practice is free; commercial pricing is not the primary model. Distribution occurs through physical cultural centers, e-commerce (esperiashop.it), the mobile app, and a multi-channel digital presence (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Telegram).

A pivotal strategic milestone was the signing of the formal Intesa (agreement) with the Italian State in 2016, which established the organization's constitutional recognition within Italy's religious freedom framework. Its 10th anniversary in 2026 was marked by a ceremony at Campidoglio in Rome with President Sergio Mattarella, reinforcing institutional legitimacy. Leadership comprises President Alberto Aprea, Vice President Anna Conti, and Secretary General Tamiko Kaneda. The organization maintains affiliation with Soka Gakkai International while operating with autonomous governance for its Italian operations.

Name

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai

Legal name

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai

Website

https://sgi-italia.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai is the Italian branch of the global Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, serving Italian practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism through cultural centers, publications, and 8x1000-funded social programs across 130 projects since 2020.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization and Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

Keywords

• Buddhist religious organization
• Nichiren Buddhism practice
• Interfaith dialogue programs
• Social impact funding
• Peace education initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Firenze

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 8x1000 Tax Designation: Italian tax mechanism allowing taxpayers to direct a portion of their income tax to recognized religious institutions. The organization receives these funds and allocates them to social, educational, environmental, and cultural projects.
2. Membership Contributions and Donations: Voluntary contributions from members and supporters, including subscriptions to publications (riviste) such as subscriptions to member services.
3. Publication Sales: Sale of Buddhist literature and publications through Esperia Editore, including books by Daisaku Ikeda and educational materials on Buddhist practice.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai is the Italian branch of Soka Gakkai International, offering Buddhist religious practice rooted in Nichiren Buddhism, including daily recitation of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, study of the Lotus Sutra, and community gatherings at cultural centers. The organization publishes Buddhist literature through Esperia Editore, operates a digital library and mobile application, and channels Italian 8x1000 taxpayer funds into social projects across human rights, education, environment, and culture.

Product overview

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai is a Buddhist religious organization that offers a portfolio of educational and cultural products and services centered on Nichiren Buddhism practice. The core offerings include published books (in Italian) covering Buddhist teachings, practical guides, and biographical works on the three masters (Makiguchi, Toda, Ikeda), distributed through its own publishing house Esperia Editore. The organization provides a mobile application (SGI Italia) available on major platforms, a digital library (Biblioteca di Nichiren), and periodical publications. Beyond publications, the organization operates cultural programs including the Senzatomica exhibition on nuclear disarmament, supports social initiatives through 8×1000 taxpayer funding across human rights, education, environment, and culture, and facilitates interfaith dialogue initiatives. The organization maintains national cultural centers and operates international partnerships through Soka Gakkai International.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Alla scoperta del buddismo della Soka Gakkai

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 14,000 refugees supported through integration programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Nobel Laureates Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear WarflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-promoter of Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on AI and Nuclear War (July 2026) at Vatican. Soka Gakkai is one of the founding organizations of this initiative bringing together 30 Nobel Laureates, world leaders, and AI experts.
• Fondazione Be The HopecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Foundation created by Soka Gakkai to implement peace and social initiatives. Supports Senzatomica exhibition (nuclear disarmament education), youth climate programs, and interfaith peace dialogue. Co-sponsored the Nobel Laureates Assembly on AI and Nuclear War at the Vatican.
• Club of RomeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-organization of 'Riflettere, unirsi, agire: dialoghi per un futuro comune' conference marking 40th anniversary of Peccei-Ikeda dialogue 'Campanello d'allarme per il XXI secolo'. Held at Sapienza University of Rome.
• Sapienza University of RomeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner for the 'Riflettere, unirsi, agire' conference on global challenges, climate crisis, and peace. Part of National Sustainability Education Week with UNESCO patronage.
• Esperia EditorecoreOthers · 1 January 2025Publishing partner for Buddhist literature and educational materials. Publishes works by Daisaku Ikeda and related Buddhist texts in Italian.
• Gruppo R (Cooperativa Sociale)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Social cooperative running 'Violenza stop. Nuove strade da percorrere' project with new women's shelter 'Casa Lydia' in Padova, offering psychological support for children and job placement assistance.
• Associazione Ananke ETScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 202524/7 emergency team for immediate protection of domestic violence victims in Pescara area, with psychological support and job placement services.
• Arci Valle Susa-PinerolocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Running 'Safety Net: insieme contro la violenza di genere' project in Turin area with new territorial office, job placement programs, and support groups.
• Rondine Cittadella della PacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Support for peace education programs at Rondine Peace Citadel, which hosts young people from conflict zones in transformative dialogue programs. Funded through 8x1000 contributions.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership in Youth4Climate initiative supporting young climate leaders. Soka Gakkai contributes funding through 8x1000 to climate solutions in 59 countries. Joint production of 'Generation Trust' documentary on youth climate action.
• Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Italian government partner in Youth4Climate initiative and climate action projects, co-financing climate solutions led by young people globally.
• LUISS (LUISS Institute for European Analysis and Policy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Founding partner of EMUNA Italia interfaith training program. Anna Conti, Vice President, serves on EMUNA's Scientific Committee. Program holds 16 seminar days from October 2025 to June 2026.
• UNHCR ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for 'Community Matching' project creating bridges between refugees and local communities in Italian cities. The project facilitates integration through volunteer matching, access to services, housing, and employment support. Over 3,400 people reached through this initiative.
• Refugees Welcome ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration in the Community Matching program pairing refugees with local volunteer families and individuals for structured support relationships.
• Ciac OnluscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner in the Community Matching initiative, contributing to refugee integration activities across multiple Italian regions.
• ARCI NazionalecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for 'Circoli Rifugio - Più corridoi per la libertà' humanitarian corridors program. Implemented 10 corridors bringing 286 refugees safely to Italy from high-risk contexts including Libya, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Active in 21 cities across 13 regions.
• Comitato 3 OttobrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for 'Protect People Not Borders' project educating youth on migration and human rights. Reached over 3,200 students, teachers, and people with migratory backgrounds across Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France, UK, and Slovenia.
• Gay CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Support for LGBTQIA+ services including the Gay Help Line (800 713 713) which answered over 350,000 requests, and Refuge LGBT+ shelter that accommodated over 140 people including minors. Funding through 8x1000 tax designation.
• Fondazione Pangea OnluscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for REAMA project providing protection to over 3,000 women and 376 minors from 2020-2024 in anti-violence initiatives.
• Italian StatecoreOthers · 1 January 2016Formal 'Intesa' (agreement) signed in 2016 establishing the legal relationship between the organization and the Italian Republic within the framework of religious freedom and constitutional recognition.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SokaGakkaItalia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SokaGakkaiItaliachannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/sgi.italia
• Instagraminstagram.com/sokagakkaiit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/istituto-buddista-italiano-soka-gakkai

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai