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
Unidos contra la Basuraleza, Diaconía España, Spain
Diaconía España has partnered with SEO/BirdLife through the LIBERA project to combat litter in natural environments. This initiative aims to preserve natural spaces by organizing large-scale clean-up events across Spain. These efforts not only help remove waste from beaches, forests, and rivers but also raise public awareness about the environmental impact of littering. The project emphasizes the importance of community involvement in maintaining clean and healthy ecosystems.
Participatory campaign Hope and Actions by Deaconess Foundation (Diakonissalaitos), Finland
The “Hope and Actions” campaign (Toivoa ja Tekoja in Finnish) is an integral part of the Deaconess Foundation’s sustainability program. This initiative aims to enhance awareness, foster community spirit, and develop environmental skills among both staff and clients. The campaign’s foundation lies in a comprehensive survey conducted among the staff and eight Foresight studios held with clients. During these studios, clients reflected on the significance of the environment and nature in leading a good life and shared their future aspirations concerning the environment. These invaluable insights culminated in the publication of a report (in Finnish) titled “The Environment as Part of a Good Life and Desired Future.”
The participatory nature of the “Hope and Actions” campaign underscores the principle that “Small actions matter” – emphasizing the impact of individual contributions towards the environment and nature. Running from September to December 2024, the campaign features monthly themes such as local nature, energy consumption, recycling, and food. These themes encourage employees and clients to engage in small, responsible actions that benefit the environment and nature.
Terre de Femmes Integration Project (FEP, France)
Terre de Femmes is a programme carried out since 2018 by the Palais de la Femme, a historic establishment of the Salvation Army Foundation dedicated to the reception of women in vulnerable conditions. The Terre de Femmes integration workshop supports each year 24 refugee women (and/or far from employment) in learning the eco-responsible professions of raw earth plasterer and ecological painter. Most of the people supported are in their twenties and face the challenge of being single mothers.
Various training sessions have been added to the curriculum in French, mathematics, and computer science to offer more autonomy to the women. They are supported by an insertion counsellor who organizes collective workshops throughout the year – creating a CV, preparing for an interview, understanding socio-professional codes in companies and individual interviews focused on their professional projects. The skills acquired are used, with the support of two technical supervisors, during internal and external projects.
The women supported have theoretical and technical formation that allows them to get the ECVET certificate. But the benefit is not only professional, since spending an entire year in a remunerated contributes to leaving the posterior precarious conditions of leaving and access better lifestyle. This training consists of an innovative way to promote sustainable practices while contributing greatly to the introduction of refugee women in the labour market.
Eco-Actions for the Planet in Service Entraide Protestante (FEP, France)
At the SEP’s housing resource centre in La Grand-Combe (Gard), known as Éco’loge Toit, visitors are educated on eco-friendly practices that benefit both the planet and their health. Each door in the large model apartment features a poster detailing endocrine disruptors that could pollute each room. Practical tips are provided throughout the centre on topics such as selecting light bulbs or power strips, conserving water, and unclogging sinks.
In the “Do it yourself” workshop, neighbourhood residents collaborate with those welcomed by the SEP to improve their homes, fostering social diversity. The workshop’s attendance has tripled over the past year. Moreover, the centre raises awareness among individuals whose primary motivation may not be ecology: Sharing tools, materials, and spaces limits the ecological impact of overconsumption and generates savings. Therefore, for an annual fee of five euros, participants can borrow tools such as drills, saws, or stepladders from the tool library.
Additionally, the centre offers workshops on making cosmetics, household products, and paints using natural and organic ingredients that have no negative impact on the environment.
Eco-Initiative by Philanthropy Federation, Romania and Moldova
The Romanian Orthodox Church, through the Philanthropy Federation and the Diaconia Social Mission, launched the pilot project “Eco-initiative in the parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.” This project, in partnership with the “Caritas Ambrosiana” Foundation from Milan, aimed to foster environmental education and enhance ecological responsibility within the Church.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness among priests about ecological issues, integrating environmental protection into pastoral work. It involved 16 local teams (8 in Romania and 8 in the Republic of Moldova), comprised of 160 young parish members that received education in ecology and implementation of local projects.
Key activities included promoting ecological messages through media campaigns, organizing events like Earth Hour and Earth Day, and developing a pastoral guide on responsible attitudes towards nature.
Academy of Eco-Initiative Leaders, Romania
The Academy of Young Eco-Initiative Leaders is a training camp organized by the Philanthropy Federation and the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. With the duration of 4 days, (4-8 July 2022), the Academy involved over 30 young participants aged 11 to 23. The project aimed to develop leadership skills and ecological initiatives within their communities.
Participants were selected by their parishes to learn techniques and strategies for environmental projects. The training focused on connecting with nature, leadership development, and project management. The activities developed included practical exercises and discussions on how to implement ecological initiatives effectively.
The program emphasized the importance of taking care of the environment as part of spiritual and community life, encouraging young leaders to promote sustainable practices and address climate change challenges in their local areas.
The Workshop on Environmental Responsibility, Serbia
In a heartwarming initiative to celebrate International Earth Day, the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO) organized a special workshop at the Reception Center Šid – Station.
The workshop, held in the children’s corner, aimed to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among the young residents of the camp. Children were introduced to the significance of Earth Day, learning about its origins and the pressing environmental issues that prompted its establishment. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, the educators highlighted the impact of industrial development, increased energy consumption, global warming, and climate change on our planet.
The workshop emphasized practical steps that children could take to reduce their environmental footprint. Activities included crafting with recycled materials, planting seeds, and creating posters that depicted ways to protect nature. These hands-on experiences not only made the learning process enjoyable but also reinforced the importance of individual actions in preserving the environment.
By the end of the session, the children had not only gained valuable knowledge but also a sense of empowerment. They left with a deeper understanding of their role in safeguarding the planet and a commitment to making positive changes in their daily lives.
CLIMATE RELIEF AND CRISIS PREPAREDNESS – OVERVIEW
Diaconal organisations are central to civil protection and crisis response, with services deeply embedded across these regions. They work closely with vulnerable populations, ensuring that support reaches those most in need during these critical moments. Their frontline role in identifying, assisting, and channelling aid to those impacted by disasters like this is crucial.[1] During climate related disasters, it is pivotal to remember that diaconal organizations provide essential psychological and spiritual support to communities during and after crises, an often-overlooked aspect of emergency response. Their presence helps maintain a sense of community, offering comfort, guidance, and mental health support that aids in recovery and resilience.
Europe has been facing in last few years catastrophic climate related events in last few years and Eurodiaconia members have been pivotal in reacting to those to ensure the rights of the affected populations:
Fund-Raising and Channel Support
Eurodiaconia members most common practice is fund-raising to support the victims of natural disasters.
In the recent central Europe floods, the Romanian Philanthropy Federation not only mobilized its resources but also gather other dioceses and organizations for financial and material aid. Responding to the same event, Diakonie Österreich and Diakonie Germany supported the work of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe by fundraising to help people affected by the flooding in Austria, Poland, Czech Republic and Romania. Further fundraising efforts were observed in Poland, by Diakonia of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church.
Responding to the Valencia extreme flooding, Diaconía España, Diaconía Madrid and Asociación Nueva Vida are directing supporters who wish to help to donate to a relief account set up by Evangelical Council of the Valencian Community.
Bridging gap in information
A significant challenge in many countries is ensuring that information reaches all segments of the population in preparedness and response to crisis such as natural disasters. Governments often struggle to communicate effectively with communities, especially with complex technical instructions during emergencies. Diaconal organizations, given their grassroots connections, are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. They can translate warnings, simplify instructions, and use their established networks to disseminate critical information, ensuring that even the most isolated or vulnerable individuals are prepared.
