CICAP
CICAP is an Italian nonprofit organization that investigates pseudoscientific, paranormal and unusual claims through scientific skepticism and public education.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
CICAP, originally the Comitato Italiano per il Controllo delle Affermazioni sul Paranormale and now commonly expanded as the Comitato Italiano per il Controllo delle Affermazioni sulle Pseudoscienze, is an Italian nonprofit scientific-skeptic organization. It examines claims associated with paranormal phenomena, pseudoscience, contemporary legends, alleged mysteries and unusual events, while promoting evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking. The organization grew out of an initiative associated with science journalist and broadcaster Piero Angela. In 1978, following Angela’s television program on parapsychology, a group of scientists and researchers issued a joint appeal for a committee capable of examining alleged paranormal phenomena. The idea was revived through meetings among Italian readers of Skeptical Inquirer in 1987 and 1988. A public meeting in Turin on 9 October 1988 established the committee’s objectives and identity, and CICAP was formally constituted on 12 June 1989. Steno Ferluga became its first president, Lorenzo Montali its secretary and Massimo Polidoro director of its magazine. CICAP initially concentrated on parapsychology, including telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and psychokinesis. Its remit later expanded to alternative medicine, astrology, numerology, creationism, conspiracy theories, urban legends, UFO claims, alleged relic phenomena and historical mysteries. In September 2013, the organization changed the meaning of the final acronym letter from paranormal phenomena to pseudosciences, reflecting this broader mission. CICAP does not attempt to test metaphysical beliefs as such, but it does investigate material or empirical claims associated with religious traditions when they can be examined scientifically. Its approach combines rational skepticism, controlled observation, experimental verification, expert consultation and public communication. Illusionists may participate where deception or performance techniques could explain an alleged phenomenon. Areas investigated over the years have included astrological forecasts, dowsing, healing claims, magician and fakir demonstrations, UFO reports, alleged communication with the dead, the purported liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius and other claims presented as scientifically inexplicable. CICAP also conducts an annual review of predictions made by astrologers and clairvoyants. CICAP is organized as a volunteer-led association with a national headquarters in Padua, local groups across much of Italy and a local group in Switzerland’s Canton Ticino. It finances its work through membership fees, donations, publications, courses and event participation. Its activities include conferences, investigations, teacher and journalist training, school programs, podcasts, public talks and social-media communication. In 2011 it became an Associazione di Promozione Sociale, a legal status supporting donations and broader member participation. Since 2018, it has been recognized by Italy’s education authorities for school-staff training under the relevant national directive. CICAP is also a member of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations.
History
CICAP’s roots lie in Italy’s late-1970s public debate about parapsychology. After Piero Angela’s television investigation into parapsychology in 1978, scientists and researchers published a collective appeal for a body that could assess alleged paranormal phenomena. The proposal did not immediately produce a permanent association, but it established the intellectual and public foundation for later work. The initiative was revived in 1987 and 1988 through meetings organized by Angela among Italian subscribers to Skeptical Inquirer. At a public meeting in Turin on 9 October 1988, participants defined the proposed organization’s aims and selected the name Comitato Italiano per il Controllo delle Affermazioni sul Paranormale. The acronym CICAP was chosen partly because it evoked the English word “check-up.” The association was formalized on 12 June 1989. Steno Ferluga served as president, Lorenzo Montali as secretary and Massimo Polidoro as director of the organization’s magazine. During its first phase CICAP focused on parapsychological claims such as telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance and psychokinesis. It subsequently expanded into alternative medicine, astrology, numerology, creationism, conspiracy theories, UFOs, crop circles, urban legends, historical legends and alleged religious phenomena that make material or empirical claims. The change announced in 2013, replacing the acronym’s reference to paranormal phenomena with pseudosciences, formalized this broader remit. CICAP’s investigations are grounded in critical examination, experimental controls, expert input and the principle that empirical claims require evidence. The organization has worked with illusionists when stagecraft, suggestion or deception may explain an alleged event. It has examined astrological predictions, dowsing, healing claims, alleged contacts with the dead, UFO reports and purported miracles. Its annual review of predictions by astrologers and clairvoyants is one of its recurring public activities. The association developed a decentralized structure of volunteer local groups. Its first local group was created in 1994, and by 2020 sixteen groups were reported across Italy and in Canton Ticino. Thematic groups formed formally in 2015, including school education, investigations, health-related pseudoscience, evidence-oriented media advice, social networks, podcasting and Skeptics in the Pub-style events. CICAP purchased its Padua headquarters through the Progetto CICAP 2000 fundraising campaign in the early 2000s. In 2011 it adopted the legal form of an Associazione di Promozione Sociale, enabling eligible donations and greater member participation in governance. CICAP has combined research and education with public events. Its national conventions began in 1991 and covered themes such as paranormal claims, alternative medicine, media, legends and post-truth. The 2004 convention was held alongside the World Skeptics Congress in Italy. In 2017 the convention format developed into CICAP Fest, an annual festival of talks, workshops and shows. CICAP also organizes Anti-Superstition Day on Friday the 17th, using Italy’s traditional association of that number with bad luck as an opportunity for public discussion and demonstrations. The organization has maintained close relationships with Italian media and has included prominent scientists, writers and public intellectuals among its members or supporters. Carlo Rubbia, Rita Levi-Montalcini and Umberto Eco are among the notable associated figures cited in reference material. Piero Angela was named honorary president in 2016. CICAP remains a nonprofit, self-financed organization focused on scientific literacy, critical thinking and the responsible examination of extraordinary claims.
- 2018
Education-training recognition
[1]CICAP received recognition for training school personnel under Italy’s education framework.
- 2016
Piero Angela appointed honorary president
[1]The organization appointed its principal founder and longtime public advocate as honorary president.
- 2015
Thematic groups established
[1]CICAP formally organized national thematic volunteer groups focused on areas such as schools, investigations and communication.
- 2013
Mission broadened to pseudoscience
[1]The organization changed the expansion of its acronym to reflect work beyond paranormal phenomena.
- 2011
Conversion to Associazione di Promozione Sociale
[1]CICAP adopted an Italian nonprofit association status that supported donations and member participation.
- 2004
World Skeptics Congress in Italy
[1]CICAP and CSI co-sponsored a World Skeptics Congress held in Italy.
- 2000
Padua headquarters acquired
[1]A fundraising initiative known as Progetto CICAP 2000 supported the purchase of the organization’s current headquarters in Padua.
- 1994
First local group
[1]The association began developing its network of regional and provincial volunteer groups.
- 1991
First national convention
[1]CICAP held its first national convention in Padua on science and paranormal claims.
- 1989
Formal establishment
[1]CICAP was formally constituted on 12 June as an Italian committee investigating paranormal claims.
Products and positioning
An independent, nonprofit Italian reference point for scientific skepticism, evidence-based investigation and public education about pseudoscience and extraordinary claims.
Public festival · 2017
CICAP Fest
An annual public event that developed from CICAP’s national conventions. It combines lectures, panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations and performances dealing with science, skepticism, misinformation and extraordinary claims. The festival is principally conducted in Italian but has accommodated international speakers and interpretation.
Podcast and digital media
RadioCICAP
CICAP’s official podcast and audio-media initiative, presenting interviews and discussions on scientific reasoning, skepticism, pseudoscience and related public-interest topics.
Public education program · 2009
Anti-Superstition Day
An annual outreach program held on Friday the 17th, a date traditionally regarded as unlucky in Italy. Local groups organize talks, debates and practical demonstrations intended to encourage reflection on superstition and probability.
Health-information initiative · 2017
CICAP-Med
A thematic group created to address pseudoscientific aspects of health and medical questions, drawing on expert advice and evidence-based communication.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017CICAP Fest
Italy · International participants
A festival format offering meetings, workshops and shows related to science, skepticism and extraordinary claims.
Outcome. The event became CICAP’s principal recurring public festival; the 2018 edition reportedly featured more than 200 events at ten locations.
- 2009Anti-Superstition Day
Italy
Annual local events use Friday the 17th to discuss superstition, evidence and critical reasoning through talks, debates and demonstrations.
Outcome. The initiative became a recurring national public-outreach activity.
- 2000Progetto CICAP 2000
Italy
A fundraising campaign that generated support for the acquisition of CICAP’s headquarters in Padua.
Outcome. The organization acquired its current national headquarters.
Brand decisions
2017
Develop the national convention into CICAP FestProduct launchBackground
CICAP had long organized periodic national conventions and sought a broader public-facing format.
Action taken
It introduced CICAP Fest, combining conference sessions with workshops, demonstrations and shows.
Aftermath
The festival became an annual platform for public engagement with scientific skepticism.
2013
Broaden the organization’s acronym and remitStrategyBackground
CICAP’s work had expanded from parapsychology into alternative medicine, astrology, conspiracy theories, urban legends and other forms of pseudoscience.
Action taken
The organization changed the meaning of the final letter in its acronym from paranormal phenomena to pseudosciences.
Aftermath
The revised name better represented CICAP’s wider investigative and educational mission.
2011
Adopt nonprofit social-promotion association statusStrategyBackground
CICAP sought a legal structure suited to its volunteer, donation-supported educational work.
Action taken
It became an Associazione di Promozione Sociale.
Aftermath
The status enabled eligible donations to be claimed through income-tax filings and allowed members to participate more fully in association decisions.
Recent events
- 2018
CICAP recognized for school-staff training[1]
Regulation
Italian education authorities acknowledged CICAP as a provider of training for school staff under the applicable education directive.
- 2017
CICAP Fest launches as an annual public event[1]
Campaign · Product launch
The former national-convention format developed into CICAP Fest, combining talks, workshops, demonstrations and performances.
- 2013
CICAP changes acronym expansion to include pseudoscience[1]
Other
The organization broadened the meaning of its acronym from paranormal claims to pseudoscientific claims, matching its expanded scope.
- 2004
CICAP and CSI co-sponsor World Skeptics Congress in Italy[1]
Other
CICAP joined the Center for Inquiry’s skeptical organization in sponsoring an international congress in Italy.
- 1989
CICAP formally established in Italy[1]
Other
The committee was formally constituted after a decade of preparatory initiatives concerning the investigation of paranormal claims.
Sources2 sources
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