On Wednesday, September 10, the In-depth Webinar on Resource Development and Sustainability was held, convened by the Regional Secretariat of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean (SELACC). This space sought to encourage the sustainability path of the national Caritas and strengthen the articulated work of the network of Church organizations, congregations and sister works that share the mission of service in the region.

The meeting brought together national directors, resource development leaders, communication and diocesan teams, as well as participants in regional training processes, who shared concerns and learnings about institutional sustainability.

Not only ask, but invite them to join the cause

One of the central moments was the presentation of Mercedes Portas, director of institutional development of Fe y Alegría Uruguay, who shared the experience of this federation in fundraising in a secular context. Portas stressed that “links are the most powerful tool: those who know donate, those who trust build bridges, and those who can see the impact donate again.” His presentation highlighted the importance of not asking, but inviting people to join the cause, from the conviction that education transforms realities.

The shared learnings highlighted the need to diversify sources of financing (State, companies, individuals, international cooperation, local foundations and events), generate alliances beyond money, be accountable systematically - with audits, institutional reports and reports - and be encouraged to try new collection formats, even with the risk of make mistakes.

Develop the social dimension of evangelization

During the webinar, the new regional Sustainability platform was also presented, a collaborative space that seeks to bring together tools, resources, funding sources and good practices to strengthen all national Caritas and Church organizations in the region. More than a directory of donor organizations, the platform is the result of a long process of mapping and development with the participation of experts to support member organizations.

Structured into three main sections, the Sustainability platform is a space dedicated to presenting the main types of donor organizations that may be interested in supporting the mission of Cáritas in our region; the directory with 240 donor organizations committed to development, social justice and sustainability; and materials, inputs and training proposals to continue working on sustainability, because we know that this is a constant process, which adapts to the new realities that we live in the region.

Eliana Barrero, from the Latin American Confederation of Religious (CLAR), said: “This collaborative approach strengthens trust, optimizes efforts and opens new opportunities to innovate and grow together.”

This meeting leaves as a message that sustainability is built with links, with transparent communication and with the ability to open to new audiences, beyond traditional allies. A path that does not correspond only to SELACC, but belongs to the entire region and the network of Church organizations and congregations, invited to be protagonists in the construction of a solid, transparent and shared future at the service of the most vulnerable.