Small Steps, Big Difference Grassroots Participation Handbook FUNDAMENTALS for Caritas Europa Contents Researched, compiled and edited by Maryana Hnyp, My Paasivaara and Marc Somers of the Caritas Europa Secretariat. This publication has received financial Contributions to this publication were support from the European Union made by (in alphabetical order): Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020). Caritas Belarus: Veronika Shendo, For further information please consult: Anna Yakimovich http://ec.europa.eu/social/easi Caritas Belgium: Valerie Annys, Joke Dillen, Dominic Verhoeven Caritas Biella: Giovanni Perini The information contained in this Caritas Georgia: Mariam Buhagiar publication does not necessarily reflect Caritas Internationalis: Pierre Cibambo the official position of the European Caritas Luxembourg: Paul Galles Commission. Caritas Scotland-SCIAF: Mark Booker Caritas Spain: Francesca Petriliggieri Caritas Europa reserves the right to not Caritas Ukraine: Maksym Bondarenko, be held responsible for the accuracy Natalia Kryva and completeness of the information Caritas Vienna: Alice Uhl provided in this publication. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use This publication was proofread by of any information provided, including Proofreading Services SA: any information which is incomplete or [email protected] incorrect, will therefore be rejected. Published in December 2018 by Caritas Europa, Rue de la Charité 43, 1210 Brussels, Belgium. 2 Grassroots Participation Handbook Contents Preface 5 Introduction 6 Part 1: What is participation? 8 1.1. Scope and dimensions of participation 11 1.2. Participation in Caritas: A duty and a right of everyone 12 1.3. Participation Cycle 13 1.3.1. Putting people at the centre 14 1.3.2. Listening, observing and discerning people’s needs 14 1.3.3. Acknowledging people’s capacities 14 1.3.4. Finding your place: matching needs and capacities 15 1.3.5. Empowering people and getting actively engaged 15 1.3.6. Growing together into a strong community 16 1.3.7. Being responsible for the social and natural environment 17 1.3.8. Learning and sharing your knowledge 17 Part 2: Inspiring examples of participation in Caritas 18 2.1. Inspiring practices of community building 20 2.1.1. Inspire a continent 20 2.1.2. Path towards a Caritas Parish 22 2.1.3. Sharing as a family 24 2.1.4. Integration Family Hubs 26 2.2. Inspiring practices of social outreach 28 2.2.1. Day centre for people with disabilities: “Betel” 28 2.2.2. Housing-café: Empowerment of refugees in the search for housing 30 2.2.3. Children’s Summer Camps organised by volunteers 32 2.2.4. Spontaneous small actions by the volunteers 34 2.2.5. Brunch in the Palliative Care Unit 36 2.2.6. Volunteer Initiative of former Caritas beneficiaries 38 2.3. Inspiring practices of competence and capacity building 40 2.3.1. The world around us 40 2.3.2. Talented fundraisers: Bringing the ‘Parable of the Talents’ to life 42 2.3.3. Self-managed kitchen “Esperanza De La Yedra” 44 2.3.4. Fashion for everyone 46 Frequently asked questions about participation 48 Tips & tricks 52 References 54 3 Preface How good and “ how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one! Psalm 133:1 4 Grassroots Participation Handbook Preface There might be people who think: When a Caritas organisation is well rooted in the local “Why would Caritas Europa care about level (parishes, communities, volunteer groups, Young Caritas, etc.), with a high degree of ownership by and the local level of Caritas? This is the role participation of the entire community; when Caritas of the Diocesan or national Caritas.” – ensures that people in need are not just objects of its For me that question is as if the leaves or help and assistance, but participate actively in their own development and that of their communities, branches of a tree shouldn’t care about then Caritas is strong and the organisation is the roots. We have to care! sustainable. And the other way round: Caritas is weak when this is not cared for. A Caritas organisation can My own experience in Parish and Diocesan Caritas have many employees, many projects and a high tells me how motivating it is and how much it fosters budget, but if the grassroots participation fails, it is a innovation and new ways of doing things when you weak Caritas. sense very concretely how the ‘upper’ levels in the organisation care for you, support you and transmit “Strengthening the Network” is one of Caritas Europa’s the best experiences of other places. We have to three priorities. Grassroots participation is at the care! very essence of Caritas, a core element to make our network stronger. A brief reflection on the two words Based on many experiences in different Caritas in the title of this handbook: organisations, this handbook intends to be an inspiration for all levels in our network. We hope it will serve to reaffirm good practices, it will guide “Grassroots.” It is the space of encounter of people communities in their development and it will in need, volunteers and Caritas staff. It is a space of encourage new developments to strengthen Caritas. constructing local community. It is the most genuine Together we make Caritas stronger! Caritas work of direct help and accompaniment. All the other levels of Caritas, also the European level, Enjoy it and tell us your stories! are just there to enable this encounter. Although we are all important with different roles, Caritas’ priority is at this level1 where the love-the-neighbour- Jorge Nuño Mayer commandment takes place. Secretary General “Participation.” The Social Teaching of the Catholic Church, based on the Gospel and the practical experience of accompanying people in need, is very clear on this. Already in 1965 the Decree Apostolicam Actuositatem stresses the importance of participation of people in need to manage their own lives2 (chapter 8) and the participation of the laity in parishes and society3 (chapters 9-10). 5 Introduction Introduction Does your organisation offer services From a Christian point of view, participation is in the public sphere? Do you encourage part of the original inspiration. Every person has an infinite value, everyone is invited to contribute, people to volunteer and help you with and everybody is responsible, talented, sent and this mission? If so – this handbook needed. We all are called to make this world more is for you. Participation is as old as just and more humane and to give more space to the Kingdom of God. Pope Francis made a clear appeal humankind. It is rooted in the conviction that “each one of us has to respond, as best we can, that human agency is a good and to the Lord’s call to build up his Body, the Church.4” integral part of meaningful and fruitful Today, in times of wars and unrecognised conflicts, poverty and hunger, pain and pressure to leave living together, and thus that every one’s home, many are wondering ‘if there is anything person has a right to have a say and I could do to make the change for better possible? act in a way that serves the civil and Would my small contribution make any difference?’ ecclesial community for the Participation is a call to engage fully and consciously common good. in the life of a wider society, as well as being about supporting others in their decision-making and their activities, helping them discover their talents, and empowering them to express their opinions. Caritas organisations advocate participation foremost as a clear option for solidarity, co- responsibility, the decision to be a constructive member of the family of God, and to work for the “Today, when the networks and means of common good. This means that we are called to do human communication have made the best we can whenever and wherever we find ourselves and to make our communities as friendly unprecedented advances, we sense the and welcoming as possible. This might include challenge of finding and sharing a “mystique” involvement on every social level in the promotion of living together, of mingling and encounter, and safeguarding of social justice and peace, and volunteering with local community groups and work of embracing and supporting one another, of associations or church organisations. stepping into this flood tide which, while chaotic, can become a genuine experience of fraternity, Caritas in different countries has received the mission to be on the side of the people in need. a caravan of solidarity, a sacred pilgrimage.” Therefore every kind of participation, any type of help, all ideas and engagements are needed. Everyone Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, §87 puts his or her own talents at the service of those who seek help. Participation has never been an abstract word inside the Caritas movement. We do not only act for people, but act with people. And the more people we are, the more people we can reach. 6 Grassroots Participation Handbook This handbook is designed to encourage active The section that follows is designed to respond participation at various levels of communal life. It is to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about neither a theological tractate nor a systematic and participation in Caritas. Here you might find exhaustive reflection on the principle of participation. information you always wanted to know about The objectives are rather to offer you tools and participation, but never dared to ask. Here we include inspirations for how participation can be embedded explanations of a few key terms in the domain of in our daily routine. participation used in this handbook, which seem to be either newly introduced, uncommon, or specialised.