Context
Although Romania has been a member of the EU since 2007, its economic development remains sluggish. There are pronounced economic disparities between urban and rural areas. Rural areas are being especially affected by outmigration and population ageing.
The Reformed Church in Romania (RCR) has been a long-standing HEKS/EPER partner and is present mainly in rural Transylvania. The RCR membership totals 530,000 in the two Church districts of Oradea and Cluj-Napoca. The RCR is often the only official institution in small villages. It also discharges social responsibility in society through social welfare activities.
Through its welfare and social work, the RCR has built up a home care and assistance service in five regions of Transylvania since 2001. Its workers currently look after the elderly and people in need of care in some 130 localities. It is planned to expand this cost-efficient service, which enables the elderly to stay at home for as long as possible. Besides, as part of its welfare and social work, the RCR runs a women's shelter and counselling centre for victims of domestic violence in Braşov, and as such is active in a field that is taboo in Romania. Another shelter is planned for Oradea.