SSVP-CGI Social Projects

There are 3 kinds of projects, coming from the Superior/National, Assimilated or Associated Councils that are examined and then financed by the International Council General (ICG) of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP).

Development & Expansion of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

Social Projects

Emergency aid

These are projects, which promote the well functioning of the Society in a country and the work of the Conferences. They do not always concern the direct work for the poor. Ex: organization of Council meetings/assemblies/training sessions etc.

These kinds of projects concern directly the activities of the Conferences for the benefit of the poor. They are usually long term projects, which eventually yield auto finance & self-importance for the beneficiaries. Ex: construction of mills, management of farms, studentship etc.

Emergency aid is an assistance scheme designed by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and through which the International Council General sends financial aids to the areas of the world where the Society is established. The Emergency aid Concept / How will aid be allocated? / How to help?

The ICG supports these sort of projects as mentioned above coming from a Superior/national Council, or explicitly supported by the same Council with concrete objectives and the agreement of the international structure (International Territorial Vice-President & Coordinator) and the twinned country.

Why do the ICG receive requests for financing social projects?

Some countries where the SSVP exists do not have a solid local structure and a good international relationship, which would permit to develop a social project on their own. These are mostly third world countries with feeble financial means, and sometimes with no twinnings.

Presence of "allocated funds" at the ICG

No"allocated funds" at the ICG

Some donor countries (and/or individuals) prefer to use the ICG as a mediator between them and the claimant countries. Therefore, they send their collected funds first to the ICG and ask for the best use of it towards the needy country. On the other hand, the ICG makes international appeals when emergency situations occur like natural or human catastrophes and collects funds for these sorts of circumstances. In these cases, the ICG finances the projects, which correspond to all the demanded criteria by these allocated funds.

In the case that the ICG does not dispose any funds, it helps the claimant countries through its Permanent Section to seek sources and foster the communication between other donor countries where the SSVP exists.

Criteria for the financing of the social projects

After a global approach on the country, and if the request is considered receivable, the project is analyzed according the following criteria:

Vincentian aspect	Realistic aspect	Possibilities of financing of the ICG
The role of the Conferences and the involvement of the local Society in the project; how the Society grows in quantity and spirituality, etc.	In relation with the situation of the country and the organization of the Society in the country; the adequacy of the necessary and available means in the local Society.	Verification of the existence of allocated funds of the country; conformity of the project with the definition of the global funds (development, catastrophes, wars, etc.)

"No work of charity is foreign to the Society. It includes any form of help that alleviates suffering or deprivation and promotes human dignity and personal integrity in all their dimensions."

Rule of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Art. 1.3. Any form of personal help...