Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish development cooperation organisation and the second largest provider of humanitarian assistance. We operate in 17 countries, where the needs are most dire. They work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.
Their work is based on rights, which means that their operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination and responsibility.
Mission
Action for human dignity.
Vision
Changing the world through support for people in the most vulnerable situations.
Finn Church Aid is a rights-based actor. FCA believes in the intrinsic human dignity and equal value of every human being, and is committed to a rights-based approach. This means that the promotion of equal human rights for all is the main objective of all their work. Their actions are guided by international human rights standards and principles, such as equality and non-discrimination, participation and accountability.
Rights-based approach is a precondition for the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of thier work. FCA believes that sustainable change requires tackling the root causes of injustice and non-realisation of human rights. Their rights-based approach guides them to look behind the short-term needs faced by the poor and vulnerable, and asks why the rights of certain groups are not fulfilled, or why, in the context of an emergency, some people are more vulnerable than others. Change requires tackling the structural factors that cause inequality and discriminate and exclude people based on their gender, identity, caste, race, ethnicity, class, religion, etc.
Sustainable change requires considering the roles of both rights-holders and duty-bearers and directing their action towards both of them. This means empowering people to exercise and claim their rights, and advocating or supporting the authorities and decision-makers to meet their obligations. FCA’s own role is to facilitate dialogue and strengthen accountability between these groups. They aim at contributing to this in their projects, through awareness raising, capacity building and advocacy.
Aiming for permanent change
Permanent change in developing countries can only be achieved through persistent cooperation with local communities and people. Finn Church Aid is committed to working until the people in need can independently secure their livelihood and satisfy their basic needs.
For human rights, against poverty
The reduction of poverty requires achieving peace and the realisation of human rights. Through their projects, they work to ensure both. They encourage decision-makers and all Finns to address structures that induce poverty, violence and human rights violations.
Africa and Asia as the main targets
In 2016, FCA provided aid for 29 million euros in value. The majority of their funds come from private donors, international institutional donors, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and parishes. Over 84 percent of the donated funds are directed to aid work. The share of domestic operations and general administration is about 16 percent.
Most of their assistance goes to Africa. The need for assistance on the continent has been caused and maintained by political instability, prolonged crises and natural disasters. The second most significant target for aid funds is Asia, which has the largest number of people living in poverty.
International cooperation
FCA is a partner organisation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and a founding member of the international aid alliance of churches, ACT Alliance. The alliance forms one of the largest aid organisations in the world. Its total volume is €1.5 billion each year, and it has operations in 140 countries. Over 100 aid organisations are involved in ACT Alliance.
