AIDRom–the Ecumenical Association of Churches from Romania-operates under 3 regional counseling centers in Romania, offering complex social assistance to vulnerable groups. They also host a safe house for victims of human trafficking and 2 shelters for asylum seekers, which are in strong cooperation with the Romanian governmental authorities. Staff consist of over 30 employees: managers, social workers, legal advisers, psychologists, teachers and auxiliary staff.
AIDRom was established in 1991 as a collaboration between the Orthodox, Calvin Reformed and the Lutheran Church from Romania. Later on the Evangelical Presbyterian and Armenian Church joined the initiative. AIDRom facilitates the common work of Churches on a theological and social level. AIDRom is involved in fundraising, project processing, monitoring and auditing the implementation of projects and providing advice; AIDRom sometimes implements the projects themselves.
AIDRom and partners target the following groups:
Marginalized groups: children at risk, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, unemployed, elderly, economically disadvantaged, migrants, and people with HIV;
Members of non-governmental organizations; rural communities / areas; ethnic and religious groups, with emphasis on the Roma minority; clergy; women in politics and corporate accountability; social workers and assistants;
Civil servants in developing structures of civil society, trade unions and churches; representatives of the authorities, civil servants, officers of organized crime, etc .; teachers, social activists, community leaders; representatives of ethnic communities initiatives; youth and women in church and society.
Current projects:
- C.A.S.A. – Complex Social Assistance for Asylum Seekers: aAms to provide specific services for asylum seekers in Romania, by: providing information and advice on legal rights and obligations regarding: labor market, education system, insurance system social, etc., social and legal advice to help them solve the problems they face, access available public services, facilitate social integration through socio-cultural, educational and recreational activities and by providing Romanian language courses, as well as material assistance.
- AIM 5 INTEGRATION FOR REFUGEES AND THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS IN WESTERN ROMANIA: The project is funded by the European Union and the General Inspectorate for Immigration, through the National Program – Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. The main target group of the project is represented by beneficiaries of international protection (BP) and third-country nationals residing in Romania. The project aims to support the socio-economic and cultural integration of beneficiaries of international protection and third-country nationals in Romanian society in Region 5, through an integrated and complex approach – by providing the information and services they have need in one place and by strengthening the collaboration and active involvement of local authorities and the community in supporting migrants in the integration process.
AIDRom also contributes through lobbying and advocacy to improve legislative initiatives (Equal Opportunities Law, the religious cults law, domestic violence prevention, prevention and eradication of human trafficking, and the Environmental Protection Law). Currently the headquarters of Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania, AIDRom, are located in Bucharest. Information is also available at the counseling centers operating in Timisoara and Iasi.
