Argentina’s Regional Ecumenical Center for Advice and Service (CREAS) has developed a Small Project Fund Program (SPF) aimed at supporting social organizations and grassroots groups. The SPF gives financial and training support to enable local community groups in their cultural and economic development projects. The proposed FIM internship will focus on a functional analysis and systems development plan for the SPF, looking at its effectiveness and growth areas during the past six years, with an emphasis on its impact and potential for constructive aid in the development of a community-oriented economy. This analysis will provide practical direction for the SPF as well as presenting a theoretical and methodological contribution to the mission understanding of diaconal work in social economy, relevant for churches, ecumenical organizations and social movements.

UN reports identify up to three million internally displaced people in Colombia, making it the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere. The problems of Colombia's displaced population include lack of steady incomes, inadequate housing, and poor health and education services. The majority of the displaced are women and children, who flee to urban areas only to face homelessness, lack of food and water supplies, and absence of sanitation facilities and other basic necessities. The intern will assist the Presbyterian Church’s activities in education, promotion and protection of human rights of displaced people in the regions of Cartagena and Barranquilla.

A holistic approach to people living with HIV/AIDS

Intern: Eva-Liisa Luhamets (Estonia)
Sending community: Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELC)
Receiving community: Asivida, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia

HIV/AIDS is a recent and rapidly increasing problem in Estonia, a country whose population lacks the knowledge or experience to respond appropriately. Estonia’s (population 1.4 million) HIV infection rates have increased since 2001 and at present there are more than 5000 HIV positive people, most of whom are drug users in the northeastern part of the country. The virus is now spreading at an alarming rate to other regions of Estonia. The general public does not have adequate awareness of the situation and are ignorant of essential prevention methods. The FIM intern will work with Asivida, a program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia, in order to acquire experience and knowledge in dealing with both prevention and care for people living with HIV/AIDS from a holistic Christian perspective.

Intercultural dialogue to advance peace in the Balkans

Intern: Victoria E. Tevis (USA)
Sending community: Brethren Volunteer Service
Receiving community: Musicians without Borders Bosnia and Herzegovina

Musicians without Borders Bosnia and Herzegovina (MwB BiH) seeks to advance peace, equality and tolerance through the understanding of cultural diversities in the region. It focuses on the inclusion and active participation of people (particularly children) in music and arts activities and in intercultural dialogue. The intern will assist with external relations through designing outreach materials; e-mail and web campaigns and publications; writing and editing reports and assisting in grant writing. The intern will participate in community activities and will help to create opportunities for children, youth and people with disabilities and stimulate their musical and intellectual development, while providing a positive means of community interaction across existing social divisions.