After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Father Georg Sporschill SJ, an Austrian Jesuit, was sent to Romania with the goal of helping homeless children in the country. His initiative has grown into a community with more than one thousand members in 2006.

In Romania, there is a social centre which receives homeless children and provides first aid. 400 children live in 35 groups which resemble families in the “City of Children”, on the “Farm for Children” and in the several children’s homes in Bucharest. In addition to street work and advice, CONCORDIA provides training workshops for the education and therapy of the adolescents.

In the Republic of Moldavia, one model home with 22 children and a learning centre has been built in Chisinau since 2004. The foundation was laid for the “City of Children” in Pirita with 300 places. Based on the model which proved successful in Romania and the Republic of Moldavia, CONCORDIA opened its first children’s home in the Ukraine in 2006. 72 children have been provided with accommodation in six family groups.

CONCORDIA collaborates in all countries with the state child protection agencies. In large projects, CONCORDIA shares the sponsorship with the state institutions.

The objective of CONCORDIA is to provide security and education to homeless children. The religious education is important to us. We work primarily with the orthodox churches in Romania, Moldavia and in the Ukraine. There is a chapel for ecumenical services in all establishments of CONCORDIA. When a Roman Catholic priest is available, the children enjoy the celebration of a holy mass.

Through the program Eastwind/Westwind, CONCORDIA invites young people from poor and rich countries to share the work on an honorary basis for one year. The social work strengthens their personalities. They find direction for their lives and a religious foundation. We also employ 300 educational staff.

When a child takes your hand

„When a child on the streets takes your hand and asks, ‚Do you have room for me?‘ this is the beginning of a shared journey. We fight to give the child a bed and bread – the bread of love.” Father George Sporschill SJ

Many children are waiting for their daily bread

Go out and meet the children where they are

Streetwork teams go out to meet abandoned
children. Trust grows slowly.

Step by step into a new life

In the CONCORDIA social centre the children find a place to sleep, a warm meal, a shower and fresh clothing. Then with each child we search for a way to a good future.

More than a roof over your head

1000 children have found a home in our children’s homes. We support the children until they are healed and self-supporting members of the community.

A good future

School and vocational training are important. Our young people are trained in various apprenticeship workshops. Some have managed to complete college degrees.

A way to independence

We are building CASA EUROPA

Engagement for volunteers
We don’t stop asking where the need is greatest. CONCORDIA is building a bridge between East and West. Young people learn from each other and with each other in the Casa Europa. We want to change the world with the power of new ideas. For social entrepreneurs who want something new, there’s still much to be done at CONCORDIA.

A new spirit in Romania

CONCORDIA in the Republic of Moldova