Finn Church Aid’s budget increases to nearly 45 million euros

Finn Church Aid’s budget for the next year is 44, 7 million euros. This year’s actualised budget is 35, 6 million euros, so there is approximately 20 percent growth. The growth will focus especially to fragile states.

Finn Church Aid’s (FCA) budget will grow, because the portion of international funding has increased. FCA has six regional offices in Asia, Africa, Haiti and the Jordan.

East and Western Africa’s regional office in Kenya has strengthened its work in fragile states in its region. The budget for the office is about ten million euros for the year 2015.

“The peace work done in Somalia has gained a substantial standing in our work, and our peace network has become established. We have also received funding for our peace work in Kenya from the United States Agency for International Development, USAID ”, Tomi Järvinen, FCA’s Director of International Cooperation, says.

Järvinen also informs that USAID is considering funding other FCA projects as well.

A substantial foreign donor Unicef supports FCA’s projects in Central African Republic. In addition to Unicef, other major donors are U.K.’s Department for International Development, DFID and European Community Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection,  ECHO. In addition, the funding for development cooperation from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland is increased with approximately one million euros to 9, 2 million euros.

“The growth of our budget means that we can strengthen and fortify our action in the target areas. The growth is focused on our strategic themes, so we don’t have to make any compromises. We can be especially pleased with the fact that the growth is focused on fragile states”, Järvinen says.

At the same time, Järvinen reminds that the strengthening of the action is especially important to the communities and people with whom FCA is working with.

“If we do our work well, are reliable and work our best for the most vulnerable people, growth follows action.”

“It’s essential to remember that all this is made possible with the continuous support from congregations, individuals and communities. That support can be used as the internal funding portion for international projects and enables persevering work”, Järvinen sums up.

FCA strategy for years 2013-2016 is focused on three interlinking themes: peace building, livelihood and education.

Finn Church Aid is largest Finnish development cooperation organisation and second largest provider of humanitarian aid. FCA is a member of ACT Alliance, a coalition of faith-based humanitarian organisations.

For additional information:
Tomi Järvinen, Director of International Cooperation, tel: +358 40 641 8209
Eveliina Rahunen, Ministry for Foreign Affairs Funding Coordinator, tel:  +358 40 641 6131
Eeva Suhonen, Communications Officer, tel: +358 400 103286