A nationwide partnership drive to strengthen a shared vision

Caritas India has initiated a series of engagements across the country to strengthen collaborative partnerships between 14 Regional Fora and Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSSs), signalling a renewed push towards institutional cohesion, safeguarding, and accountable governance within church-based development action.

Opening the regional assemblies, Fr. Jesudass R., Executive Director of Caritas India, underlined that the engagements are not routine meetings but a strategic effort to sustain meaningful accompaniment at the regional level. He emphasised that Caritas India seeks to walk alongside Regional Fora and diocesan partners, acknowledge their committed service during a particularly challenging period, strengthen a shared Caritas identity and visibility, and reinforce local resource mobilisation through initiatives such as the Lenten Campaign and the Chetna Campaign, which are critical for long term sustainability.

Rolled out as an intensive sequence of regional interactions between 4 December 2025 and 05 January 2026, the initiative brings together Regional Forum leadership, DSSS directors, and Caritas India representatives in a sustained process of dialogue, alignment, and accompaniment. Rather than a one off intervention, the series is designed as a continuous engagement to deepen shared ownership and reinforce coordinated action at regional and diocesan levels.

Fr. Jesudass placed the initiative within the context of rapidly changing operational realities, including tighter FCRA norms, declining foreign funding, restrictions on sub granting, and increasing accountability expectations. He noted that in such a context, weak systems are no longer sustainable. The launch of the Regional Forum Accompaniment Programme and focused engagements on safeguarding, financial management, and sustainability pathways were therefore positioned as essential support mechanisms to strengthen partners rather than burden them.

Safeguarding emerged as a central pillar of the discussions, reaffirmed as a non negotiable responsibility and a core marker of organisational credibility. Through accompaniment and capacity building, Caritas India is supporting Regional Fora and DSSSs to institutionalise safeguarding practices, strengthen financial systems, and ensure compliance with legal and organisational standards. The engagements reinforce that safeguarding and accountability are integral to creating safe, dignified environments for staff, communities, and programme participants.

Safeguarding emerged as a central pillar of the discussions, reaffirmed as a non negotiable responsibility and a core marker of organisational credibility. Through accompaniment and capacity building, Caritas India is supporting Regional Fora and DSSSs to institutionalise safeguarding practices, strengthen financial systems, and ensure compliance with legal and organisational standards. The engagements reinforce that safeguarding and accountability are integral to creating safe, dignified environments for staff, communities, and programme participants.

Participants have highlighted the value of sustained engagement over isolated meetings, noting that the engagement format allows deeper reflection, follow up, and alignment between diocesan priorities and national strategy. The series of engagements reinforces the role of Regional Fora as critical bridges between grassroots partners and Caritas India’s strategic vision, ensuring that safeguarding, accountability, and collaboration are grounded in lived realities.

Through this nationwide partnership drive, Caritas India is laying the groundwork for stronger, safer, and more cohesive institutions. The process affirms that institutional strengthening is not an event but a journey built on accompaniment, trust, and shared responsibility to serve communities with integrity and impact.