ICCO Cooperation

ICCO Cooperation is a global, non-governmental organization working towards a world in which people can live in dignity and well-being, a world without poverty and injustice.

The founder of ICCO was Jo Verkuyl. He worked as a missionary preacher in Indonesia, a man with an unconventional approach to aid in developing countries. As one of the very few in his time, Verkuyl believed that development work should be focused on the needs of the poor. He was convinced that all changes start at community level. Compassion, justice and stewardship: these were the three values on which founding Verkuyl, protestant churches and Dutch civil society organizations established ICCO in 1964 on December 30th. These values guide us to this day. Originally, the meaning of the acronym ICCO is Interkerkelijk Coördinatie Commissie Ontwikkelingshulp (= Interchurch Coordination Comimttee Development Aid). Nowadays ICCO is a name in itself.