About Eurodiaconia

Eurodiaconia is a European network of churches and Christian NGOs providing social and healthcare services and advocating social justice. Together our membership represents the needs and unique experiences of 59 national and regional organisations across Europe. Diakonia is Greek for service and in the biblical sense, this means service for and with people in need.

You can read our 2022 Annual Report here.

A brief history

Diaconal work, Christian faith-motivated work for social justice and provision of social care, has a very long history and has traditionally emanated from the Church. However, recent years have seen the emergence of independent or church-related NGOs working in the same tradition.

In 1995, several such diaconal organisations in Europe agreed to form a network that would concern itself with the issues and policies of the European Union and its impact on the work of diaconal organisations.

Eurodiaconia was duly formed and registered as an NGO in Strasbourg, France, in 1997. In 2008, the legal entity was transferred and registered in Belgium as an Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif (e.g not-for-profit international association).