Fida in europe
In Europe, Fida supports the work of evangelical churches in their missions and social ministry. In Ukraine, humanitarian aid is being provided in crisis areas struck by the ongoing war.
Fida works in partnership with local churches to strengthen their ministries, offering training and leadership development. Fida’s sent workers live in various European countries.
Aid to War-Struck Ukraine
Fida provides assistance to those in greatest need in Ukraine, focusing on the Transcarpathian and Zaporizhzhia regions.
get to know our operational areas
Fida’s ministry efforts in Europe
Our church ministry in Albania
Albania was for decades the world’s only officially atheist state. When the communist regime collapsed in the early 1990s, there were reportedly no evangelical churches in the country. Today, it is estimated that Albania has around 15,000–20,000 evangelical believers, which is just 0.6% of the population.
Fida’s partner, the Albanian Pentecostal Movement (Albanian Assemblies of God), is a young and growing denomination. Fida’s missionaries were involved in establishing it in the early 1990s. The denomination now includes nine churches, a thousand members, and six new church plants in the works.
In addition to church work, Fida has focused on Bible training in Albania. The Bible school in Tirana trains workers for ministry in Albania and other Balkan countries.
Churches and the Bible school are transitioning into national hands, and mentoring is needed in this process. Additionally, in a country with high unemployment, supporting and encouraging the younger generation is crucial.
Child support projects in Albania
Fida has been working with children in Albania since the early 2000s. Through our child support programmes, we improve educational opportunities and safety for the most vulnerable children. This work is carried out throughout Albania in partnership with the Albanian Christian Prison Ministry and CHE Albania.
We support children living in the poorest areas of Albania. Around two thirds of the children in our support programme are Roma.
The Albanian Christian Prison Ministry focuses on children who have one or both parents in prison. These children are largely marginalised in Albanian society.
Fida provides pre-school education and tutoring for the children. Where possible, we work to improve the quality of life and livelihoods of families. Children can participate in regular children’s activities, clubs, camps and educational programmes.
We also support families and communities to build a better future.
Our church ministry in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a politically divided country, still recovering from the war that ended in 1995, and suffering from high unemployment. The situation for evangelical churches in the country is challenging.
It is estimated that there are only around 400-600 evangelical believers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The churches are small, with even the largest communities typically consisting of only about 40 members.
Fida supports the evangelical church in the city of Tuzla, both in its weekly activities as well as church planting efforts. Together, we are planting a new church in the region’s poorest Roma community.
Child support programs
Our child support programs run together with local churches in Tuzla, Banja Luka and Prijedor.
We help impoverished children and their families, and about 65% of the sponsored children are Roma. The situation of the Roma minority in Bosnia and Herzegovina is difficult. Many Roma children do not have birth certificates, which prevents them from accessing social security and other services, leading to their marginalisation.
Fida improves living conditions within communities and increases the livelihood opportunities for families. With the support of sponsors, children’s access to education is improved and tutoring is provided for those who need extra help.
Our church ministry in Belgium
Fida’s partner in Belgium is the Flemish Pentecostal movement. One of Fida’s missionary families works in partnership with the Lighthouse Church in Antwerp, while another collaborates with the Continental Theological Seminary in Brussels.
Our Church Ministry in Spain
Fida has been involved in ministry in Spain for a long time: the first Finnish missionaries arrived in the country as early as the 1960s.
Fida’s partner, ADE (Asambleas de Dios de España), is a growing and dynamic church movement with around 400 local congregations.
Fida’s workers are involved in organising Bible courses in churches, serving as teachers or trainers. Some missionaries also work as pastors, engaging in everyday church ministry. They support the partner church in planting new congregations.
Finnish missionaries have brought dozens of small groups on mission trips to the country over the years. This work remains active, with Fida’s mission trips reaching thousands of people each year.
Fida runs also the Vamos Mission training programme and offers the Vamos Training internship opportunity in Spain.
Our church ministry in Croatia
Two of Fida’s workers live in Croatia but serve across Eastern Europe, focusing particularly on Roma communities. Their work spans 10 countries and is a year-round mission and aid effort. The goal is to provide support where it is needed most, while strengthening local partnerships. Read more about our work with the Roma in Europe here.
A long-held dream was realised in March 2022 when a Bible school specifically designed for the Roma began operations in Croatia. The school serves evangelical Roma churches in four Balkan countries and was initiated by the international Roma Networks, of which Fida is a part. Fida’s missionaries have been involved in both designing the curriculum and launching the school. The training takes place in evangelical Roma churches across Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia.
Our church ministry in Germany
Fida’s partner in Germany is BFP (Bund Freikirchlicher Pfingstgemeinden KdöR), which comprises several Pentecostal movements, each with its own mission organisation. BFP includes 850 churches and over 63,000 members.
Ministry to Children, Youth, and Immigrants
Fida’s work in Germany encompasses Christian education, church ministry, and various outreach initiatives. Through a local Christian school, we reach children in a multicultural neighbourhood, most of whom were born outside Germany, with the majority coming from Muslim families.
Church ministry focuses on coordinating and leading a multicultural congregation, offering immigrant believers a spiritual home in a country where they have yet to put down roots.
Fida also organises mission trips and service projects in Germany. These initiatives disciple young people, strengthen the vision for ministry work, and help individuals discover their calling. The projects are especially aimed at reaching those with no connection to other Christians.
Our church ministry in France
Fida’s partner, The Assemblies of God (ADD) in France, is currently the largest evangelical movement in the country, with around 600 churches.
Evangelical Christianity is growing in France. The national evangelical umbrella organisation, CNEF, comprises over 2,200 churches in France. This number has nearly tripled over the last 40 years.
Fida’s workers support ADD’s partner churches in planting new congregations, training leaders, evangelism, and weekly church ministry.
France has a large immigrant population. In the neighbourhoods inhabited by immigrants, there are high levels of youth unemployment, poverty, and unrest. Recent riots have further fuelled divisions, and particularly hostility towards Muslims in the country has risen. Anti-Semitism is also on the rise in France.
Fida’s missionaries work with various immigrant groups through local churches, reaching out to those in need.
Our work in Ukraine
In Ukraine, a large humanitarian aid project is underway to support war refugees. The aid is directed towards the frontline areas in Eastern Ukraine, as well as to Transcarpathia, which houses many refugees from war zones. Fida and the local pentecostal aid organisation, Kindness, focus on delivering cash assistance to families so they can build their everyday lives. Also, psychosocial support groups, camps and education are organised for children and their mothers.
Read more on our humanitarian project in Ukraine.
Fida is also involved in church ministry among the Roma minority in Ukraine. In these communities, support is provided for winter aid, food aid and the construction of church buildings. During the summer, camps are organised for Roma children.
Our church ministry in Hungary
Fida supports the spiritual and social work of the Hungarian Pentecostal Church. The Hungarian Pentecostal movement plays a significant role in areas such as education and the development of Roma communities.
Fida has six workers in Hungary who serve in various roles among the Roma communities and the Jewish minority. Fida also develops the children’s ministries of the partner church.
The Roma are the largest minority group in Hungary. Fida’s workers serve within the Hungarian Roma Mission, an aid organisation specialising in working with Roma communities in the areas of education, social work, and healthcare.
Fida’s collaboration with the Roma Mission focuses on church ministry, education, and social assistance. The partnership aims to strengthen the work of local churches and support church workers in their ministries.
Fida is also financially supporting the establishment of a new church in Csernely.
Our church ministry in the Baltic region
Our work in the Baltic region focuses on supporting the Roma minority. Fida Secondhand Shops also donates clothing to our partners in the area.
In Latvia, we engage in helping families in rural areas where many live in basic conditions. Jobs are scarce, and many lack access to running water. This work is done in collaboration with the Life and Light organisation, whose team regularly visits the country with food and clothing aid.
Fida supports local churches in their ministry efforts. Together with the Valmiera Pentecostal Church, we are planting a new church in the village of Aloja, where the Life and Light activity centre provides aid to Roma and other vulnerable groups. The centre distributes food and clothing and is adding washing facilities.
Fida also regularly donates clothing to the Paldiski Church in Estonia. In the Valga region, we collaborate with Life and Light on social work within the Roma community.
Our church ministry in the Baltic region
Our work in the Baltic region focuses on supporting the Roma minority. Fida Secondhand Shops also donates clothing to our partners in the area.
In Latvia, we engage in helping families in rural areas where many live in basic conditions. Jobs are scarce, and many lack access to running water. This work is done in collaboration with the Life and Light organisation, whose team regularly visits the country with food and clothing aid.
Fida supports local churches in their ministry efforts. Together with the Valmiera Pentecostal Church, we are planting a new church in the village of Aloja, where the Life and Light activity centre provides aid to Roma and other vulnerable groups. The centre distributes food and clothing and is adding washing facilities.
Fida also regularly donates clothing to the Paldiski Church in Estonia. In the Valga region, we collaborate with Life and Light on social work within the Roma community.
Our work in Turkey
Fida supports evangelical churches in Turkey in opening new locations and providing Bible teaching. Fida’s partner in Turkey is Kurtuluş Kilisesi, a Protestant church founded about 25 years ago. Fida is involved in church ministry in the Antalya and Alanya regions.
Our church ministry in Israel
Fida works in Israel in partnership with several local churches. Currently, two families working alongside Fida are based in Israel. Together, they collaborate with Messianic churches on various initiatives, including church planting, humanitarian programs, music ministry, and training for home churches.
Fida also supports the Lech’lcha Bible and Discipleship School, which offers young people the opportunity to study the Bible. Fida also provides financial support to the Bible Society in Israel.
During the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, Fida has provided humanitarian aid to people evacuated from towns near the Gaza and Lebanon borders into the Yad Hashmona community. Additionally, Fida has sent assistance to the Palestinian Bible Society, which is helping those trapped amidst bombings in Gaza City.
Work Among Roma in Europe
Fida supports a variety of activities for Roma communities in Europe, including sponsorship programmes, after-school clubs, preschools, and homework clubs to help Roma children stay in school. Fida also provides support to Roma churches.
read more
News & Stories
Categories Article
Read more
Significant Change in the Roma Community – A Story of Hope Unfolds in Kiseljak
In the early 2000s, the Roma community in Kiseljak, Bosnia, lived in extreme poverty, lacking access to water, electricity, and basic rights. Sixty percent of children didn’t attend school, and child marriages were common. Begging was a frequent means of survival. Yet, amidst the hardship, a spark of hope began to ignite.
Categories Article
Read more
“This has been a lifeline for many people” – Help reaches its destination in Ukraine
Fida’s Ukraine collection has already raised €1 million. This will allow us to continue our support in 2023.
Categories Article
Read more
Education on the Terms of Culture – Roma in the Balkans Have Their Own Bible School
A new Bible school has been launched to serve evangelical Roma congregations in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia. The school aims to provide training that takes into account Roma culture and identity.