ABOUT TRÓCAIRE
HOW WE WORK
Trócaire works with local partners to support communities in over 20 developing countries with a focus on food and resource rights, women’s empowerment and humanitarian response.
1. LACK OF ACCESS TO AND CONTROL OF RESOURCES
One in nine people in our world is hungry. The world’s poor struggle to access essential natural resources such as land and water. This lack of access and control is linked to, and worsened by, additional stresses caused by climate change and poor governance.
Trócaire supports communities to access, control and protect their local natural resources, in particular land and water, and will work with governments and those in power to act in a transparent and accountable way for the benefit of the poorest citizens.
2. OPPRESSION OF WOMEN
Globally, one in three women are violently abused in their lifetime. Girls experience widespread social, educational, political, economic and sexual discrimination, increasing their vulnerability and trapping them in poverty.
Trócaire supports women to ensure that they have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, within their homes, communities and beyond, and that they live free from violence.
3. HUMANITARIAN CRISES
Emergencies and natural disasters are increasing in scale and frequency, exacerbated by climate change and political upheaval. Deepening inequality and injustice deny people basic needs and protection in times of crisis.
Trócaire supports vulnerable communities when emergencies strike. Communities will also be better prepared to survive and recover from crises and disasters.
HOW TRÓCAIRE BRINGS ABOUT CHANGE
Truly transformative change occurs through addressing power imbalances at societal and institutional levels. The actions of many are required to effect change at multiple levels. It demands a truly global response, underpinned by a commitment to justice and solidarity, to create a shift in power that ultimately benefits those in most need.
Trócaire works collaboratively with the Church and other partners at home and internationally to bring about change at individual, community, society and institutional levels.
Specifically, Trócaire aims to address poverty and marginalisation by:
- Supporting individuals to have the resources, skills, knowledge and confidence to live a life of dignity and secure their basic rights;
- Mobilising communities and engaging leaders and influencers to build sustainable and resilient communities and to prepare, respond and recover from crises;
- Strengthening civil society to challenge unjust social norms and the structures that sustain them, and greater engagement with like-minded networks, movements and alliances; and
- Engaging with and influencing those in power both within institutions and corporations, to create a fairer, more sustainable and accountable world.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
Working in partnership means that we support organisations in developing countries to implement projects in collaboration with their local communities. These organisations bring an in-depth understanding of their local context, language and culture, while we contribute our experience, funding and staff.
By working in partnership we don’t implement ‘one-size fits-all’ projects devised from an Irish perspective. We listen to what people need and give them support, ownership and control over how the problems they face are solved.
This approach brings lasting change and empowers communities to overcome poverty through their own efforts and abilities.
In implementing its strategic plan, Trócaire will adopt a broader understanding of potential partners, to include the private sector, social movements and Irish-based partners. In addition, the organisation will adopt a more strategic and agile approach to the management of partnerships, while still maintaining strong support for Church-based organisations, wider civil society and smaller partners and missionaries in the countries where we work.
We will develop a clearer ambition and strategy for engagement in networks, particularly for our two core Church networks CIDSE and Caritas. CIDSE is the international alliance of Catholic development agencies with a presence in over 118 countries and territories worldwide, and Caritas Internationalis is the Catholic Church’s global confederation of 165 development agencies.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Trócaire’s work is guided by Catholic Social Teaching, recognising the inherent dignity, worth and human rights of all people, as well as the importance of acting in solidarity with each other and in caring for our shared environment. We offer support regardless of race, gender, religion or politics.
