Village life, children herding llamas. Finnish Mission Society, development cooperation, Bolivia, Tirajahua. Photo: Arja Koskinen, Finnish Mission Society.
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Espoo Parish Union has distributed €1.89 million to international aid and missionary work for 2025. The funds were allocated to five partner organisations operating across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
The funding was confirmed at a joint church council meeting on 19 March. An additional €40,000 was earmarked for the Finnish Mission Society’s “Trees for Children” campaign, with the final decision on that amount delegated to the joint parish board.
The total 2025 budget for international diaconia and missionary work is €2.05 million. This includes €120,000 set aside for emergency relief to be allocated during the year.
Funds were awarded to the following organisations based on submitted applications:
Kirkon Ulkomaanapu (Finn Church Aid): €809,000
Suomen Lähetysseura (Finnish Mission Society): €750,000
Medialähetys Sanansaattajat (Sansa): €158,500
Suomen Pipliaseura (Finnish Bible Society): €126,000
Evankelinen lähetysyhdistys (Evangelical Mission Association): €46,500
The projects funded span dozens of countries and focus on improving community resilience, education, peacebuilding and basic services. Most of the work is carried out in cooperation with local churches, Christian NGOs and other community organisations.
Suomen Lähetysseura will use its funding to support food and water security, peacebuilding and theological education. The organisation has ongoing projects in Bolivia, Israel, China and Somalia.
Kirkon Ulkomaanapu will direct its share to multiple projects aimed at improving income opportunities and education for women, children, refugees and marginalised groups. It also supports peace efforts in several regions.
Suomen Pipliaseura will use the funding to support literacy for women in Africa and Bible-related work in India, Egypt and the Middle East.
Sansa will fund radio programmes such as “Toivoa naisille” (Hope for Women) in India and media projects in the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Evankelinen lähetysyhdistys will focus its support on educational development in Zambia and support for the Estonian church’s mission centre.
None of the funding is used for domestic activities in Finland. Partner organisations are required to report to Espoo Parish Union on how the grants have been used. All supported projects align with the parish’s values of equality and fairness.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
