Eurodiaconia Members’ Positive Practices
Social service providers play a dual role in ensuring a green and just transition. The first aspect of their role involves mitigating climate change which includes delivering services in an environmentally sustainable manner and promoting sustainable practices within the communities they serve. Secondly, social service providers are crucial in safeguarding the social rights of vulnerable communities. Consequently, the supportive aspect of their role in a just transition is particularly significant, as it involves assisting individuals disproportionately affected by climate change and green policies.
Nature of the Role
Project Types
Organisation
MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Embracing their role in the rapidly changing environment, Eurodiaconia members have engaged on a variety of practices towards the mitigation of climate change and reduction of their environmental footprint. These practices encompass measures and projects towards the greening of the services but also implementation of sustainable projects towards promotion of sustainability within the served communities.
TEXTILE PROJECTS – OVERVIEW
The Textile sector has an expressive tole on the environment. According to the European Environmental Agency, textile purchases in the EU in 2020 generated about 270 kg of CO2 emissions per person. Eurodiaconia members have multiple textile-based projects that promote sustainable fashion by giving clothes a second life. In addition, the projects reveal that environmental concerns can go hand-in-hand with diverse social goals. For instance, profits generated by second-hand sales, often go to support social and environmental initiatives, such as creating jobs for people who face barriers to employment.
Socially Sustainable Locker Room by Le Diafrat (FEP, France)
Twelve years ago, Diafrat identified a need for clothing among refugee families that the association could not afford to meet. In response, Diafrat established a partnership with the local school principal. Since then, a clothing and household linen collection has been organized at the school three times a year. Additionally, neighbourhood residents can drop off their clothes during monthly receptions organized for families.
After the collection, migrants are invited to visit the locker room and share a coffee with the association’s volunteers. Parents exchange clothes that are too small for their children with items from the Diafrat locker room. The sorting of clothing is conducted by beneficiaries, volunteers, and neighbourhood residents. Clothes that are not used are given to the relay, which sells those in good condition in their “Ding Fring Shops”. Items that can no longer be worn are recycled into rags or used for sound or thermal insulation. Non-valued materials represent 3% of the total volumes collected.
The Diafrat Locker Room provides high-quality clothing to over three hundred children annually and is part of a circular economy approach benefiting the planet. It also fosters community engagement among district residents and exiled families.
Project “Sustainable Textiles” by Caritas and Diakonie Germany
The joint project “Sustainable Textiles” in Caritas and Diakonie Germany with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development supports welfare institutions in switching to sustainable textiles by offering advice, information and exchange formats.
Caritas and Diakonie Germany have great potential to influence the textile market and its production methods in a positive manner considering that in-patient facilities need large quantities of corporate clothing, bed linen and towels. Applying sustainability criteria when purchasing these textiles can promote fair and safe working conditions as well as an eco-friendly production. The social criteria include, for example, the exclusion of child and forced labour as well as compliance with occupational safety regulations and the promotion of living wages. The ecological criteria include the ban on certain chemicals or the limitation of their usage to preserve biodiversity and livelihood in and around growing areas and production sites. To protect the climate, the pollutant emissions generated during transport and processing must be reduced as far as possible or compensated for.
Social Enterprise for textiles by the Kirkens Bymisjon (Kirkens Bymisjon Miljø), Norway
The church City Mission (Norwegian: Kirkens Bymisjon) is a diaconal foundation in Norway doing social work, through a very wide range of activities such as addiction recovery, elderly care, child welfare, mental health care, outreach support programs and more.
Kirkens Bymisjon knows that environmental destruction often hits socially marginalized and poor groups the hardest. That is why they constantly strength the environmental work in their service provision.
A specific project is the Kirkens Bymisjon Miljø, a social enterprise that collects pre-loved clothes and textiles in collection boxes. In 2023, through 1,200 collection boxes in Southern and Eastern Norway, 3000 tonnes of textiles were collected. Of the textiles collected, 80% go as clothing reuse, 14% go to material recycling and 6% go to energy recovery. In addition, the initiative operates in different Norwegian municipalities and employ people who, for various reasons, have faced long-term unemployment.
Textile Recycling Partnership for labour inclusion, Diaconía España, Spain
Diaconía España has entered into a strategic partnership with Insertega, a textile recycling company, to bolster employability and promote sustainability. This collaboration is particularly focused on supporting individuals with disabilities (33% or higher) and those at risk of social exclusion by advancing socio-labor inclusion programs. Therefore, this initiative not only addresses social inequalities but also contributes to environmental sustainability through textile recycling.
Moreover, the agreement underscores the importance of creating inclusive job opportunities while fostering a circular economy. By combining their efforts, Diaconía España and Insertega are committed to building a more equitable and sustainable society. This partnership exemplifies how collaborative actions can lead to significant social and environmental benefits, thereby reinforcing the values of solidarity and responsible consumption.
Solidarity Wardrobe, Diaconía España, Spain
Diaconía España has established a collaboration with Micolet, an online second-hand clothing retailer, to promote solidarity and responsible consumption. This partnership includes the creation of the “Solidarity Wardrobe” by Micolet, where donated clothes can be purchased, with a portion of the sales proceeds benefiting Diaconía España. Notable, the earnings will support various initiatives, including those focused on migration, international protection, women’s rights, and social emergencies.
Consequently, this initiative not only aids those in need but also fosters environmental sustainability by reducing textile waste. Finally, this effort highlights the significance of the circular economy and demonstrates how second-hand clothing can have a substantial social and environmental impact.
Recycling shops by Kirkens Korshær’s, Denmark
Kirkens Korshær, established in 1912, is a renowned aid organization in Denmark, deeply rooted in the values of the folk church. For over a century, it has been dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable segments of society, including the homeless, addicts, the mentally ill, the lonely, and the impoverished. The organization’s mission is dynamic, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of society.
In their environmental efforts and social efforts, Kirkens Korshær runs over 230 thrift recycling stores spread across the country, with the help of voluntary labour. People can hand in their discarded clothes, furniture and other items in the various shops for the benefit of those who want to buy affordable items while also benefiting the social aid work in the Church. The environmental impact of the recycling shops is visible by the numbers: in 2023, with the support of more than 8000 volunteers, 7.7 million recycled goods were sold.
“Berris” clothing brand, by Asociación Nueva Vida, Spain
Asociación Nueva Vida clothing brand ‘Berris,’ is a social enterprise dedicated to incorporating sustainable practices across all its operations. Berris is committed to producing high-quality, durable products using materials that are both sustainable and ethically certified, such as organic cotton and recycled materials. The brand collaborates with suppliers accredited by organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), ensuring a responsible approach towards people, the environment, and animals.
Berris implements comprehensive waste management strategies, including recycling programs, waste reduction, and material reuse initiatives, to minimize its environmental impact. The brand also prioritizes eco-friendly products by using biodegradable, recyclable, and responsibly sourced materials. Additionally, Berris works with suppliers who share its values of sustainability, ethics, and environmental responsibility, demonstrating best practices in these areas.
Berris also employs sustainable graphic design, or ‘eco-design’ to minimize the environmental impact of its graphic products from creation to disposal. This includes responsible material selection, design for durability and multifunctionality, printing optimization, and design for recycling. Through these efforts, Berris aligns its brand image with sustainability values and promotes responsible practices.
Finally, the brand has a very strong component of social integration since the project provides employment to people that are in vulnerable situations, including migrants and victims of exploitation.
REDUCTION OF FOOD WASTE PROJECTS – OVERVIEW
While food production is responsible for a substantial percentage of the emissions produced, food-waste is still very present in Europe. According to Eurostat, 132 kg of food were waster per inhabitant in the EU in 2022.
This section highlights various Eurodiaconia members initiatives aimed at reducing food waste through innovative projects. These projects focus on redistributing surplus food to support disadvantaged communities, thereby enhancing food security and promoting environmental sustainability. By partnering with food banks, charitable organizations, and community programs, these initiatives not only prevent food waste but also provide valuable social and economic benefits, including job training and community engagement.
