Finnchurchaid

FinnChurchAid

Finnchurchaid (FCA) is one of the major international NGO's in Finland. It carries out development, relief and interchurch aid on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and its congregations.

Finnchurchaid does advocacy work on behalf of the world’s poorest people for life’s basic human rights and dignity. All our programs emphasize the individual’s responsibility.

Part of Global Network

Finnchurchaid participates in programs implemented by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) as well as local churches and communities. FCA channels funds mainly through the LWF, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and ACT (Action by Churches Together). Assistance is given irrespective of the recipient's political orientation, religion, ethnic background or nationality.

In the programs, Finnchurchaid applies the following principles:

local responsibility
assistance to relieve the most acute needs
assistance to the poorest
concern for women's rights
concern for the protection of the environment
promotion of justice, peace and human rights
equal partnership, mutual confidence between partners
shift from acute emergency relief to preventive action and reconstruction

At home

In Finland, contacts with parishes include seminars and training sessions, attended by parish workers and volunteers, and the annual Ecumenical Development Education Week every October. Our "Chain of Hope" sessions with foreign guests from programme countries give a chance to make direct contacts with Finnchurchair partners. Fundraising campaigns are organized annually at Advent, lenten time and Easter, and as needed.

The biggest of our publications is a quarterly magazine which has a circulation of 30,000. In addition we produce informational posters and brochures for various campaigns as well as educational materials for schools.

We carry out advocacy work for e.g. fair trade, and are a founding member of the Finnish Fair Trade Association.