Our approach
How we rebuild and transform lives
Around the globe, poverty, exclusion and crisis marginalise people — from poor health to food insecurity and lack of education to inadequate living standards, income deprivation, disempowerment and threat of violence. For this reason, the solutions can only be found in a multi-dimensional approach to change.
At Dorcas, we work directly with vulnerable individuals, the communities around them and wider societal structures to ensure our programmes are relevant and have sustainable change.
Mainstreaming themes
Four cornerstones of a flourishing community that are integrated across all our programme concepts.
Faith in Jesus Christ forms the basis of Dorcas' Philosophy of Change, Theory of Change and Way of Working. Faith@Work enables Dorcas to view the structural causes of poverty and exclusion holistically, addressing spiritual, social, economic and environmental dimensions of life.
Removing structural barriers causing inequity, improving access to services for all, and supporting people to engage in wider processes to ensure that their rights and needs are recognised. We include gender equality in the broader inclusion theme.
In an increasing number of contexts, it is essential to intentionally work in a conflict-sensitive manner and to work on preconditions for peace. Dorcas will act as an enabler for peace mainly at the community level, with a focus on social cohesion building and conflict-sensitive programming.
Adjusting to climate change, countering environmental degradation and minimising risk from disasters. We work with communities to prepare for and negate the effects of climate change, thereby reducing vulnerability and building resilience.
We are Dorcas
Dorcas is a faith-based organisation that provides humanitarian assistance and facilitates development cooperation. We invest in sustainable change in the lives of people who are marginalised.
Quality and added value
We monitor and evaluate every one of our programmes to continuously improve the quality and relevance of our work, adhering to the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our programmes contribute directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here is how our work aligns with the global agenda for 2030.
All Dorcas activities contribute to the alleviation of poverty and food insecurity, and to building resilient livelihoods. Inclusion and the protection of marginalised groups is key to what we do — both in our development work and relief activities.
Under Community Based Care and Protection, we develop and strengthen safety nets and social protection networks — improving the well being of vulnerable elderly people and families. Disadvantaged children gain access to education and relevant skills training.
In our Early Recovery and Resilient Livelihoods approach we pay special attention to improved food security and nutrition, via projects that introduce sustainable production systems and adapt to the changing needs of climate change. WASH interventions are community-based and promote entrepreneurial solutions.
Our Enterprising People and Communities approach supports productive self-employment and work opportunities for all, in particular for disadvantaged groups. We also promote access to labour rights and other sustainable resources. Wherever relevant, we build and participate in multi-stakeholder and public-private partnerships.
