Hungary Country Programme

Context

With a 16-per cent share of the population and some 1,200 congregations, the Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) is the country's second largest religious community and an important social institution. It is works to strengthen the Roma community and foster the inclusion of refugees, in this way fulfilling its social responsibility. As part of church cooperation, HEKS/EPER has maintained decades-long contact with the RCH, supporting it in its work for the benefit of Roma and refugees.

By nation-wide comparison, not only do the Roma have a markedly lower level of education, their community is affected by high poverty rates, poor job prospects and life expectancy that is 15 years lower. Living together with the majority population is also fraught with tension in some places. Unlike almost any other organization, the RCH parishes have the potential to build bridges and defuse tensions between population groups. HEKS/EPER supports Reformed parishes in developing projects to educate and help Roma children and adolescents shape their lives.

Building bridges is also crucial in dealing with refugees and migrants. For most Hungarians have only limited contact with people from a migration background and their perception of them is shaped by the often inflamed public discourse. HEKS/EPER therefore wishes to help the RCH build awareness in church congregations regarding the situation of refugees, facilitate encounters and foster inclusion for refugees.