The Emmaus Europe Collectives are working groups open to all the Emmaus Movement’s stakeholders across the region. The Collectives are consultation forums which generate ideas, while also implementing Emmaus Europe’s recommendations.
The Collectives were launched shortly after the creation of Emmaus Europe and provide a regional coordination framework for solidarity links that had been in existence for a long time between groups in the region. Transparency, fairness, a balanced allocation of support and proper management of solidarity underpin this approach.
Three geographical collectives have the specific end goal of arranging solidarity initiatives with the aim of being transparent and securing their long-term future:
The Collectives meet as often as necessary and at least once a year to discuss and plan together the initiatives to be run over the course of the year. The Collectives’ close ties with the grassroots mean that they act as intermediaries between the groups in the countries where they operate and the Emmaus Europe and Emmaus International governing bodies. They also ensure cohesion between the groups and with their partners. The Collectives also inform and galvanize groups that are yet to get involved. A representative speaks on behalf of each Collective and monitors its work.
The Collectives take decisions freely and independently and are a forum for exchanges of people (solidarity work camps), goods (European transport programme) and/or funding (European solidarity programme) and are also able to respond in the event of urgent or one-off needs.
A themed working group, meanwhile, brings together the Emmaus Movement’s stakeholders to discuss migration and human trafficking-related issues:
Minutes from the Collectives’ meetings can be found in the members’ area.