International Friendship Association (IFA) gGmbH is a legally registered, migrant‑led non‑profit organization based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany (HRB 108288). Founded in 2017, IFA operates with full tax‑exempt status and maintains the highest standards of transparency and accountability, with annual financial statements certified by FSW.tax Steuerberatungsgesellschaft.
IFA works at the intersection of intercultural integration, education, skills mobility, youth empowerment, gender equality, and development cooperation, building bridges between Germany and Ethiopia while strengthening social cohesion in Hesse and beyond.
IFA empowers individuals and communities through:
Our work is grounded in the legal purposes defined in §§ 51–68 AO, including support for persecuted individuals, promotion of international understanding, and advancement of development cooperation.
IFA operates through a binational, legally compliant structure:
Based in Frankfurt, responsible for:
Our sister organization in Ethiopia, responsible for:
Together, IFA Germany and IFA Ethiopia form a sustainable, binational bridge for ethical migration pathways, skills development, and community impact.
IFA Ethiopia implements community‑based programs focused on:
IFA is a founding member of the Afrikanisch‑Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft e.V. (A.D.A.G.E.), the national umbrella organization representing African diaspora organizations in Germany.
Through A.D.A.G.E., IFA contributes to:
IFA contributes to ongoing expert discussions on ethical skilled labour migration between Ethiopia and Germany. These engagements help us stay informed about current developments, policy directions, and cooperation opportunities within the German development ecosystem.
IFA is currently developing a Center of Excellence in Ethiopia to strengthen future Ethiopia–Germany skills mobility. The project is in the planning and fundraising phase, and implementation will begin once funding is secured.
The planned Center will include:
CEFR‑aligned German language training (A1–B1)
Pre‑departure orientation
Vocational skills development
Ethical migration pathways
Workforce readiness & soft skills
Employer‑linked job placement
This initiative reflects IFA’s long‑term vision to create sustainable opportunities for young people in Ethiopia and support ethical workforce mobility.
IFA benefits from ongoing nonprofit access to leading global digital tools that strengthen our communication, collaboration, and impact:
Canva for Nonprofits – active nonprofit access
YouTube Nonprofit Program – nonprofit status active
Microsoft Nonprofit Cloud
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft 365 Nonprofit
Stifter‑helfen – ongoing digital support for nonprofit tools
These platforms help us create educational content, manage operations, and deliver high‑quality programs efficiently.
Betterplace.org – our active online donation platform
Over the years, IFA has received support from respected German foundations and platforms, including:
Aktion Mensch
Grace Impact
Stiftung Mitarbeit
We acknowledge their contribution to our mission and remain committed to transparent, responsible use of all funds.
IFA combines corporate‑level accountability with community‑driven impact, ensuring that every donation and partnership contributes to a more inclusive, equitable, and globally connected future.
