Speak and Act

Refugees in Hungary often live under precarious conditions. Many come from Ukraine, while others have fled crisis regions such as the Middle East or Africa. Despite being employed, especially women, single parents, and families with young children are at risk of homelessness due to low wages and high rents. Government support is very limited.

The Evangelical Diakonie in Hungary addresses this situation through an integration project that is financed by the CPCE. It provides temporary housing, emergency assistance for basic needs such as food, medication, and rent, as well as integration counseling. The goal is to prevent homelessness and sustainably improve refugees’ living conditions.

Labor migration continues to shape Lithuania, especially in rural regions. Many children grow up in poverty, often separated from one or both parents, facing emotional stress and limited access to education and social participation.

We support four diaconal day centers that offer reliable after-school care, educational support, recreational activities, and regular meals. These services are complemented by psychosocial and creative programs. The project aims to sustainably strengthen children’s stability, development, and social inclusion.

Nearly one in five people in Romania is over 65. Many elderly people live alone with chronic or terminal illnesses, while younger family members often work abroad. In rural areas, access to medical and social care is especially limited.

We support the home care service of Diakonia Cluj, which provides medical and palliative care tailored to individual needs, helping older people remain independent and reducing hospital stays. In addition, Diakonia Cluj operates two residential care homes for people with high care needs, reaching several hundred elderly people each year, mainly in rural regions.

Young people who grow up in foster care or institutions often carry heavy burdens from loss, unstable relationships, and family breakdown. When support ends at adulthood, many lack the emotional, social, and practical skills needed for independent living, increasing the risk of isolation, homelessness, exploitation, or precarious work.

In Slovakia, we support a diaconal project that assists young people after they leave foster families or care institutions. It offers individualized development plans, psychological counseling and therapy, practical life support, and help with career pathways. Pastoral care provides additional guidance and orientation, helping stabilize lives and empower young people to take responsibility for their future.

War has deeply affected children and families in Transcarpathia. Many fathers and brothers are at the front, have fled, or have lost their lives, leaving mothers and grandmothers to carry daily responsibilities. Children grow up amid insecurity, loss, and hardship and urgently need safe spaces for support and joy.

We support summer camps run by the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia. These camps offer protected environments where children and young people can build friendships, experience community, and find moments of relief from the realities of war. Through shared activities, outings, and care, the camps provide rest, comfort, and renewed hope.

Gender-based violence affects millions of women in the Middle East, often remaining hidden and insufficiently addressed. In summer 2025, the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) held a seven-day training on gender-based violence in Lebanon. Women from evangelical churches across the region came together to be trained as multipliers.

The participants gained in-depth knowledge on forms, causes and the scope of gender-based violence, as well as on prevention, intervention and referral mechanisms in their respective countries. The training empowered women to take responsibility within their churches, raise awareness of violence and provide concrete support to those affected.

In Romania, children and adolescents face a high risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, including labor exploitation, forced begging, criminal exploitation and sexual exploitation. The anonymity of the internet and social media makes it easier for traffickers to target minors, significantly increasing the risk.

The Evangelical Church A.B. in Romania conducts prevention programs in schools. Students receive age-appropriate information, while teachers, school psychologists and parents are trained to recognize early warning signs and implement protective measures. Through these activities, the church strengthens protection structures, raises awareness and makes an important contribution to preventing human trafficking. We support this project.