Worldwide projects idea

At 31.4%, Africa was once again the priority region for our aid projects in 2023. The situation is particularly dramatic in places where Islamist terror is spreading and Christians are victims of persecution and displacement, such as in Mozambique, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. At the same time, the number of faithful and vocations to the priesthood and religious orders continues to rise.

The funding volume for the Middle East represented 19.1% of our total aid. The focal points in 2023 continued to be Syria and Lebanon. By providing emergency aid and strengthening pastoral care, our aim is to help ensure the survival of Christian communities and counteract the massive exodus of Christians.

17.3% of our aid was devoted to Asia (including 0.9% for Oceania), where Christians form a minority in most countries and are discriminated against or even persecuted. For example, we increased the level of our aid to Pakistan.

In 2023, we continued to receive a large number of requests for support from Ukraine, where the Church, in the midst of war, is trying to alleviate the spiritual, psychological and material needs of those who have fled and are in need. Therefore, in 2023, 7.4% of our funds went to Ukraine. Our aid for Europe totalled 15.4%.

Latin America accounted for 15.3% of our total aid, as rural exodus, migration, sects and governments hostile to the Church are major challenges here.

Worldwide Projects

In many countries, Christians are discriminated against and persecuted.

Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.

Mt 25:40

From its beginnings, the Church has always provided care for those in need. However, the Church ofen finds itself in urgent need of assistance, particularly in developing countries and in states where it faces displacement, persecution or disasters.

According to our calculations, 62% of the world’s population live in countries where their faith cannot be practised freely, and half of the world’s population live in countries with outright persecution. The fundamental right to religious freedom is not guaranteed in at least 61 countries. Christians bear a disproportionate brunt of the impact.

Where Church life and pastoral care for the faithful are dificult to maintain on their own, the Church is dependent on donations from abroad. Unlike most charities working to alleviate social needs, Aid to the Church in Need – formerly known as Church in Need – concentrates on supporting pastoral care.

This is how donations become concrete aid for Christians in need.

For 78 years, our professionalism, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency have ensured that our benefactors’ donations have the best possible effect precisely where they are most urgently needed: among local churches in need.

1. The need for project aid arises in a place where the Church sufers from poverty or persecution. The diocese or parish forwards the project to ACN (Aid to the Church in Need) headquarters in Königstein, Germany, with a recommendation from the local bishop or supervisor.
2. The head of section for the region analyses the project. If necessary, he or she then asks for further information. Within a maximum of three months, ACN headquarters confirms whether the project has been approved or not.
3. ACN headquarters informs the national ofices about local fundraising projects and financing through benefactors.
4. The ofices organise information and awareness-raising measures so that donors support the projects.
5. Benefactors feel called on to join in and donate.
6. ACN’s national ofices transfer the charitable contributions to ACN headquarters.
7. ACN decides on projects and their funding, tracks and monitors their implementation.

Between one and six months afer the approval of the project has been granted, ACN assumes the costs for the approved project. In emergencies, ACN headquarters provides immediate funds.