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
Support on the terrain
In Czech Republic, besides the fund-raising for victims of the flooding, Diaconia ECCB humanitarian team followed by the first group of volunteers went to Jeseník area to monitor the extent of damage and needs in the affected households. Additionally, the organisation provided psychosocial assistance and lent equipment such as dryers, power generators, pumps and small appliances.
In Hungary, the Hungarian Interchurch Aid, launched an extraordinary fundraiser, toured the towns in critical condition with staff and consulted with local leaders to assess in where and what support can be provided.
They helped several settlements with high performance pumps for example, and over 25 of their volunteers connected with the soldiers, civilians and students in Kismaros. In the Magyar Ökumenikus Segélyszervezet tent, the organisation provided food, drinking water, coffee and tea to the workers on the dams and took part in the logistical tasks needed on the spot.
The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid (HRCA) also coordinated a response to the floods. Volunteers packed and placed sandbags at designated sites in cities along the Danube, while the HRCA Search and Rescue Team assisted in flood protection by contributing with rescue equipment and expertise at the most vulnerable sites.
In Spain, responding to the Valencia floods, Iglesia Evangélica Española (IEE) – Spanish Evangelical Church mobilised immediately in Valencia and surrounding areas and opened their churches for use as emergency accommodation.
There are many ways Diaconal organisations demonstrate their essential role in crisis response and preparedness. To know more, read Eurodiaconia’s brief on the role of diaconal organisations in enhancing Europe crisis’ preparedness and response.
SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE PEOPLE OUTSIDE CLIMATE EMERGENCY – OVERVIEW
Even though the most visible impact of climate change are natural disasters, the rapidly changing environment provides several challenges to social rights such as education, housing, employment, or access to energy.
Notably, one of the most impactful effects from the combination between climate change and green policies is the risk energy poverty. On one hand, climate change increases the need for heating and cooling, while green policies prioritize sustainable energy sources and lead to the increase prices of fossil fuels, traditionally used in low-income households and low-efficiency buildings. This price increase is due to worsen with the upcoming carbon tax on road transport and buildings (“ETS II”).
Therefore, in their mission to support vulnerable people and ensure a just transition, social service providers have a crucial role in tackling energy poverty. Eurodiaconia members provide some positive practices to ensure that this essential service is in place for the most affected people.
Diakonie Austria – Energy with Spirit
Diakonie Austria’s project “Energy WITH Spirit” is a remarkable example of a solidarity-based project that aims to overcome the challenges of the energy crisis by involving vulnerable population groups in the green transition.
The project creates an energy community with 11 partners from business, science and research as well as the Protestant-diaconal sector to produce energy jointly. This energy is not only for personal use but also made available in a spirit of solidarity to socially disadvantaged people and to the common good. Around 10 percent of the energy produced, or the profit generated is to be passed on in this way. The target group is socially disadvantaged and/or poverty-stricken households, people in primary care (particularly beneficiaries of subsidiary protection) and the “working poor” without government subsidies.
Energy WITH Spirit, has multiple advantages not only in the greening of the services, but also benefit communities in a social and economic perspective.
From an ecological perspective, the local generation of energy eliminates long transmission routes and allows energy to be used directly in the local area and in service provision. Additionally, by using renewable energy sources such as solar power, energy communities help reduce the dependence of fossil fuels while creating awareness and interest in clean energy production.
From a social-economic viewpoint, despite the production of energy targeting vulnerable groups and aiming to reduce energy poverty, selling electricity from energy communities also leads to a reduction in electricity charges for consumers, as fewer fossil fuels need to be imported. By being based on clean energy, also avoid fluctuation of the fossil fuel market due to external factors (such as the “ETS 2” introduction).
SchuldHulpMaatje project by Kerk in Actie, Netherlands
The SchuldHulpMaatje project, co-initiated by Kerk in Actie, is a well-established initiative developed by a coalition of grassroots civil society organizations, community centers, and churches. For over twelve years, it has provided debt assistance to vulnerable individuals in 151 municipalities across the Netherlands through a network of trained volunteers.
In 2022, 600,000 households in the Netherlands experienced energy poverty. In response, the Dutch government provided cash transfers for energy bills and established a price cap, preventing an additional 400,000 households from falling into energy poverty. However, targeted support for vulnerable households was insufficient due to the difficulty in identifying those at risk.
SchuldHulpMaatje addressed this need by proposing a government partnership to identify, reach out to, and support individuals at high risk of energy poverty. The project assists those in financial difficulties by detecting at-risk households and helping them access state allowances and benefits. SchuldHulpMaatje developed software that utilizes public databases to identify neighbourhoods with a high concentration of at-risk individuals. Trained volunteers then provide these households with information and assistance to access financial aid. This data-driven approach has demonstrated significant success and has the potential to be scaled up in other countries.
Diakonie Österreich Energy Poverty Aid Initiatives
To respond to the growing challenge of energy poverty, Diakonie Österreich set-up a financial aid programme, to support people’s unpaid energy and utility bills to prevent energy disconnections and evictions. Another project was recently started in collaboration with the private sector to replace old, inefficient major electrical appliances of selected households with new and more efficient ones. As a result, energy bills of beneficiaries are reduced.
Diakonie Munich and Upper Bavaria- Warm Home Project
Diakonie Munich and Upper Bavaria has launched a fund-raising campaign to support vulnerable people (Low-income families, single parents, students, pensioners at risk of poverty and unemployed people) struggling with high additional demands on their energy costs that they cannot cover on their own. People can access this support by reaching to Diakonie’s staff through an energy advice hotline. Since the launch of the project, direct support has been provided in 170 cases.
The Dweller Driven Settlement Upgrading Model by the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation, Serbia
According to the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation (EHO), Serbia faces a widespread issue of low energy performance in buildings. Coupled with rising energy prices in recent years, partially due to the impact of green policies, this exacerbated housing and energy affordability challenges, particularly for the most vulnerable communities residing in settlements. In 2021, it was estimated that there were approximately 250,000 to 350,000 energy-vulnerable households. Additionally, 74% of individuals living in Roma settlements are in a state of absolute poverty.
The Dweller Driven Settlement Upgrading Model, implemented by EHO, aims to support vulnerable individuals living in inadequate housing and experiencing energy poverty. This project is grounded in human rights principles and employs a multi-stakeholder, participatory approach. Specifically, EHO undertakes renovations to enhance housing adequacy, energy efficiency, and access to services, with a focus on Roma settlements that typically lack proper infrastructure and essential services such as energy and water. These improvements significantly impact the quality of life for beneficiaries, leading to better health outcomes and increased social inclusion.
Furthermore, the project includes information campaigns to assist low-income households in obtaining the status of “protected energy consumer” under Serbian law, which entitles them to a 50% reduction on their electricity bills. This benefit is often unknown to families, and EHO addresses this information gap to ensure that more households can take advantage of this support.
Energy Sponsorship Programme by Diakonie Dusseldorf, Germany
Diakonie Dusseldorf has implemented an innovative energy sponsorship programme designed to provide financial assistance to individuals struggling with energy bills. This programme operates on a sponsorship model, where generous donors voluntarily contribute funds that are directly allocated to those experiencing energy poverty. The initiative aims to offer immediate relief to individuals and families facing the burden of high energy costs, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The energy sponsorship programme is part of Diakonie Dusseldorf’s comprehensive debt counselling services. These services include financial literacy education, which helps individuals understand and manage their finances more effectively. Additionally, the programme offers personalized financial advice to help reduce overall expenses, including energy costs. Participants are also guided on how to access social security benefits, ensuring they receive all the support available to them.
While the energy sponsorship programme provides crucial emergency assistance, it is recognized that this is not a long-term structural solution to energy poverty. However, it plays a vital role in alleviating immediate financial pressures and preventing further debt accumulation. By addressing urgent needs, the programme helps stabilize the financial situation of vulnerable individuals, allowing them to focus on longer-term financial planning and stability.
