The LUNODIA programme aims to improve living conditions for the poor in ten Southern African countries. The programme was initiated to meet the growing need for social welfare in modern societies, where there has been a marked increase in inequality, social marginalization, and poverty. The results of the project will also be utilized in the development of diaconia in the Nordic countries.
LUCSA, the umbrella organization for the Evangelical Lutheran churches in Southern Africa, is responsible for the implementation of the programme, together with its 17 member churches. Several religious organizations and educational institutions are also involved in the project. In the south, the target group for the project comprises the poorest members of society, most of whom live in urban slum areas. Many of them are women and girls, handicapped, or HIV positive. The target group in the north is made up of the marginalized members of society.
The churches involved are introduced to a new, community-oriented approach and offered new methods and tools for diaconia work, while tried and tested, innovative social responsibility projects are set up. Personnel are offered new training programmes and encouraged to plan and implement pilot diaconia projects themselves. A new, community-oriented approach is integrated into theological training. New methods learned in cooperation with their southern partners will be utilized by the Nordic partners in their own work. (Nordic activities will not receive funding from the development cooperation funds.)
Basic data on the project
LUNODIA-program
