Our organization was established in 1966 under the name Free Church Aid. Ever since, people exposed to injustice and their possibility to change their situation have been our focus. In 1984 the name of our organisation was changed to Diakonia. The word "diakonia" is Greek, meaning care and service.

Started in 1966 with humanitarian focus

In 1966 the people in India suffered from a severe drought. Some of Sweden's churches organised a joint relief effort. The following year similar efforts were carried out in the Middle East, where people were suffering from the so called "six days war". And then in 1970, Bangladesh was struck by heavy rainstorms and floods. Once again, the churches joined to help.

Long-term work

After these experiences the churches wished to establish a more long-term development work in order to help people afflicted by disasters and poverty. Within the Council for Swedish Free Churches a new organization was formed: Free Church Aid.

In 1984 the name was changed to Diakonia.

Change as a goal

The word “diakonia” is originally Greek, meaning care or service. In the Christian tradition, “diakonia” is used to describe work for a just distribution of our common resources – the riches of Creation. The aim is to be at the service of those who need our help, to change things and to dare to believe in the ability to change things – not wait for things to happen by themselves.

Policy leads our work

In our global policy, five basic themes for our work are stated. The policy lays the foundation of our work.
Read more about Diakonia's policy

The front page of the book "People changing the world" shows a Burmese girl working with her bare hands at a road construction, ordered by the military. Photo: Robban Andersson.

Further reading "People changing the world", a book about the first 40 years of Diakonia (published in 2006). People changing the world: 40 years of Diakonia (7,2 Mb)