Mission Statement
FIDESCO is an international relief Non-Governmental Organization that recruits, trains, and sends for two years to underserved areas of the world volunteers, who make their professional skills available to the needy through humanitarian and development projects.  FIDESCO aims at the full development of all human beings without regard to religion, ethnic or culture differences.

Bridging worlds
FIDESCO creates opportunities for professionals to give two years of their life to support social initiatives managed by local partners. The formula of FIDESCO’s excellence in service lies in its ability to recruit skilled volunteers, train them, and match them with projects where they can best put their professional and personal qualities at the service of the local population.  After a powerful experience on the ground, volunteers return to our societies as inspirational role models of relentless self-giving with lifelong impact.

A grassroots approach
FIDESCO is committed to empowering the disadvantaged communities it strives to help by contributing to lasting improvements spearheaded by local partners on the ground. Partnering Organizations such as dispensaries, refugee camps, youth centers, orphanages, schools, and other projects that work to benefit underprivileged groups are carefully selected by FIDESCO. They are then matched with volunteers’ professional skills in fields such as  teaching, health, engineering, project management, social work, farming, or carpentry.  Volunteers are trained by FIDESCO to adapt to the local context and are always sent in teams.

An international reach
FIDESCO has a strong international presence through local partnerships in 40 countries and 9 representative offices. Since its inception in 1981, FIDESCO has sent over 1,000 volunteers.

The United States Launch
Counting on the enthusiasm for service that is embedded within the American national culture, FIDESCO is extending its activities in the United States to recruit volunteers and incorporate further American support. FIDESCO USA’s operations are currently located in New York City. There also is one project site, in Gainesville, GA where volunteers are sent to serve a community that mainly resides in trailer camps. Poverty, prostitution, and drug addiction reign there, while basic opportunities to learn and grow are lacking.
FIDESCO USA is established as a Tax-Exempt Charitable Organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the u.S. internal Revenue Service Code and was officially included in the national Official Catholic Directory in 2008.