From June 15 to 19, the CESE received at its headquarters in Salvador (BA), 18 representatives of its member-churches, two representations of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) and two partners of the Dutch foundation Wild Ganzen for Local Fundraising Training . In partnership with the National Council of Christian Churches (CONIC), the course aimed to promote awareness and mobilize religious communities to act in an articulated manner in the processes of mobilizing local resources as a strategy for institutional sustainability.
Formed by people from different parts of Brazil and from different activities contexts, the course featured a conversation round about the political conjuncture and the sustainability of the churches, a dialogued exhibition on communication to mobilize resources, networks and planning, as well as practical activities and moments of group work.
For Adriano Araujo, from the Catholic Church and representative of the Grita Baixada Forum (RJ), the mobilization of resources for churches and social movements is extremely important, not only because it contributes to sustainability, but because it is a pedagogical process of commitment and involvement of participants: “People feel co-responsible for contributing to the sustainability of social movements and the churches themselves. We have been able to learn, empower ourselves and bring this knowledge to our organizations. ”.
For pastor Célia Gil Pereira, of the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession (BA), the course broadened the view on the possibility of raising partnerships locally: “As a religious community we are not separated from the neighborhood and its needs. It is important that we have the perception that there are people with common interests who can contribute to our cause, with what we stand for and believe in.” With this same reflection, Patrícia Araújo of the United Presbyterian Church of Itapagipe (BA), concludes that the mobilization actions carried out in the place where it operates makes the congregation better known: “Through the bazaar, feijoada and other events the church is recognized in the community for what we are and what we do.”.
The methodology applied in the training ensured that the participants could have the freedom to express the particularities of each faith community, and encourage the exchange of experiences between the represented churches and invited organizations: “These were moments of plenty dialogue and experiences exchange,” said Dilce Regina Oliveira, from the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (Novo Hamburgo – RS).
At the end of the meeting, CESE Executive Director, Sônia Mota, thanks CONIC’s partnership, the participation of those present and is pleased with the course evaluation: “This is our first resource mobilization training experience with church audiences. Listening to this positive feedback is very important to continue betting on these initiatives”, said Sônia. And she adds: “Training actions have the potential to mobilize resources for the CESE as well. If you are interested in taking this course to your city, we are available for partnerships. ”
The Workshop is part of the Change the Game program, taught in Brazil by CESE, a partner of the organization Wild Geese (Dutch Cooperation Agency). The training for this audience consisted of a five day on-site phase, including combined online learning through the Change the Game Portal, as well as post-course individual distance work monitoring.