Top global development consultancies in Italy: A primer

When it comes to the European aid market, Italian companies are among the most successful contractors. Italian firms account for the fourth highest volume of contracts awarded by EuropeAid in 2010. To be exact, Italians, mostly consultancies, won 222 of 3,667 EuropeAid tenders that year. Consultants based in Belgium received the most contracts, with 864. Italian firms also rank fourth when it comes to the number of framework contracts ending Sept. 15, 2013, with 32 firms holding 53 of such contracts. Meanwhile, domestically, Italians have been the preferred contractors of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for development cooperation projects. According to the latest peer review (2009) by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee, only 54 percent of Italy’s bilateral aid is untied, way below the average of 79 percent among DAC member countries. Here are some of the most successful development consultancies in Italy. Visit the Devex jobs board for career opportunities with these and other organizations. Agmin Italy Founded: 1983Managing director: Giuseppe GolaHeadquarters: Verona Agmin Italy provides technical assistance, procurement and trading services exclusively to international development organizations such as the European Commission, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and United Nations. It continuously looks for junior and senior consultants with in-depth knowledge and experience in the areas of agriculture and rural development, crisis management, cultural patrimony, democratization, education, elections, energy and the environment, food aid, food security, governance, health, humanitarian aid, human rights, information technology, public finance and social development. The company operates offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Casablanca, Morocco. Agriconsulting Founded: 1966President and managing director: Federico GrazioliHeadquarters: Rome Agriconsulting offers management and technical assistance services in the areas of agriculture, natural resources conservation and sustainable rural, social, economic and environmental development. It has worked with donors and government agencies in more than 100 countries. The group boasts a roster of more than 5,000 international experts, and regularly searches for climate change specialists. Archidata Founded: 1986CEO: Loris RizziHeadquarters: Milan This consultancy focuses on the public administration sector and has had significant experience working on European Union programs. Its range of services include technical advice and monitoring and evaluation of the EU’s structural funds; design, implementation and management of M&E systems and controls; and e-government and knowledge management. ARS Progetti Founded: 1992Chief executive: Daniele FanciullacciHeadquarters: Rome ARS Progetti provides a wide array of consulting services in the areas of culture and cultural heritage; architecture, infrastructure and environment; and institutional strengthening, governance and civil society. Aside from DGCS, the company’s roster of clients includes EuropeAid, United Nations agencies and multilateral development banks. It had a total staff of 80 (30 on a permanent basis) in 2010, and boasts a “comprehensive and well-structured” database of 10,000 experts covering various fields, languages and geographical regions. Eurecna CNA Veneto International Services Founded: 1988Managing director: Mario CostariolHeadquarters: Venice Eurecna’s technical assistance services are classified into four business lines: economic development, public sector and governance, information and communication technology, and renewable energy. It holds an ISO 9001:2008 certification for the design, provision and support of technical assistance services in international projects and Internet solutions for e-business and e-government. Hydea Founded: 1990Chairman and managing director: Paolo GiustinianiHeadquarters: Florence Hydea is an engineering, architectural and environmental firm that has worked in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific. It is a registered consulting company with several donor agencies, including the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Kuwait Fund for Arabic Economic Development, United Nations Development Program and World Bank. It has 53 permanent staff and employs 11 in overseas project offices. Italtrend Founded: 1977Managing director: Ernesto ScartaniHeadquarters: Reggio Emilia Italtrend has been tapped by the likes of EuropeAid and the World Bank to render technical assistance and procurement services in international cooperation projects. It has worked in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. Progeco Founded: 1998Managing director: Michele DesertiHeadquarters: Milan Progeco provides institutional strengthening, technical assistance, M&E, project cycle management, training cycle management, studies and appraisals, and pilot project implementation. It has been involved in projects funded by the European Commission, the Inter-American Development Bank, U.N. agencies and the World Bank, and currently runs projects in 40 countries. Soges Founded: 1974CEO: Luigi Marconi Headquarters: Turin Soges manages technical assistance and economic cooperation projects in developing, emerging and transition countries on behalf of donor agencies such as the European Union and World Bank. It relies on 120 in-house professionals and a network of more than 500 consultants from Italy and overseas. Its services include research on new markets or sectors, planning and implementation of local development programs, technical aid for policy development, management of financial cooperation initiatives, and M&E. Techniplan Founded: 1979General manager: Carlo MoriondoHeadquarters: Rome This engineering firm has won contracts by the European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Italian foreign ministry and World Bank. Its areas of expertise include agriculture, energy, environment, institutional development, training, transport and water. Techniplan has completed international cooperation projects in more than 60 countries. Other notable development consultancies in Italy: - Agrotec - APRI spa International - ARCA Consulting - C. Lotti & Associati - CoGeFo - Confirmec - Cotecno - Comito & Associati - Development Researchers’ Network - ECF - Economisti Associati - Ennesys Engineering Network Systems - Fineurop - Hydroarch - IDP Consultancy Group - IRD Engineering - IZI Metodi, Analisi e Valutazioni Economiche - JCP - Lattanzio e Associati - NET Engineering - Nomisma - Pescares Italia - SGI Studio Galli Ingegneria - Società Italiana di Monitoraggio - Tecniche Idraulico Stradali - Technital - Thetis Read more Italian aid news: - Italian development cooperation: What you need to know - Top global development groups in Rome: A primer - Top global development NGOs in Italy: A primer - Civil Society Gains Unprecedented Power in Premier UN Food Security Body - Italy’s Aid Cuts Prompting Existential Crisis, NGO Chief Says - Italian Cooperation Chief Belloni: No Money Until 2012 - The Curious Case of Afghanistan’s Detained Emergency Workers More on aid and relief careers in Italy: - Italy’s Youth Struggles to Enter Development Arena - Italy Seeks Recent Graduates for Temporary Assignments with UN, Partners - Ending Global Hunger: Preparing for a Career in Food Security More on getting a job with Italian aid groups: - How to Get a Job With IFAD - How to Get a Job With the World Food Program - Mid- to Senior-Level Jobs With the World Food Program - Working with Progeco More on Italian aid organizations: - An Italian Development NGO Navigates Europe - Italian Missionary Champions Nairobi’s Street Children Did we forget any major development consultancy in Italy? Please let us know by placing your comments below. Also check our lists of top aid groups in other global development hubs.