Caritas Internationalis Management Standards are criteria and best practices that guide the operation of its member organizations, ensuring excellence in the provision of humanitarian and development services. They allow areas for improvement to be identified, guaranteeing continuous adaptation to the changing needs of communities. In addition, they underline the organization's commitment to transparency and accountability to donors, partners and beneficiaries. These standards also improve efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources, ensuring compliance with ethical, legal and regulatory standards at the national and international level.

This commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement builds trust with all interested parties, strengthening long-term relationships and collaborations. Recently, Cáritas Brasileira and Cáritas Cuba obtained the Caritas Internationalis certificate, being recognized for meeting standards in key areas such as transparency, responsibility, efficiency and effectiveness.

For Cáritas Cuba, the external evaluation was a complex process due to our circumstances and context. We made a considerable effort so that the evaluator understood our reality, with the support of Caritas Internationalis and SELACC. This process allowed us to identify ourselves more deeply, recognize strengths and weaknesses, and meet our expectations. It has been a continuous institutional growth that enriches our vision and commitment as a member of the Confederation. We are committed to continuing to improve, apply standards, and maintain ongoing education and training. (Carmen María Nodal Martínez, Director of Caritas Cuba)

The external evaluation at Cáritas Brasileira has strengthened and reviewed our management, aligning us with the Cáritas International Network that requires efficient, transparent and sustainable management. We understand sustainability as the social perception and political articulation of our organization in methodological, programmatic, administrative, account management, transparency, documentation, communication and visibility areas. This evaluation allowed us to review these aspects, measure our progress and detect areas for improvement, without losing sight of our mission. Although we have met the levels of achievement in all seven management standards, we recognize that there is still room for improvement. This process has fostered a change in our organizational culture, reinforcing our work and commitment. Our goal is to integrate these standards in the 190 member organizations of Cáritas Brasileira, qualifying the entire network and ensuring more organized and effective management. This commitment motivates us to continually improve, reflecting our mission in the quality of our actions and results for the communities we serve. (Valquiria Lima, Director of Cáritas Brasileira)

This certification offers multiple benefits for Cáritas members: improved credibility, access to additional resources, collaboration opportunities and technical support. Obtaining a certificate from Caritas Internationalis is a crucial recognition that contributes significantly to an organization's ability to fulfill its mission effectively and sustainably.

With information and photographs from SELACC, Cáritas Cuba and Cáritas Brasileira