Partnership Protocol

The Purpose of this Protocol

 

This Partnership Protocol sets out

  •   the commitment that the project partner makes to Christians Abroad and to the volunteer in any international  placement.
  •   the commitment that the volunteer makes to Christians Abroad and to the project partner
  •   the commitment that Christians Abroad makes to the project partner and to the volunteer in the recruitment process and
  •   the expectations of support by Christians Abroad and the project partner for the volunteer and by Christians Abroad for the project partner whilst the volunteer is overseas and on his/her return to his/her home country.

Nature of Project to be supported

 

Christians Abroad requires that a project gives priority to working within the poorer communities of Eastern Europe, Latin or Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, the Middle East or the Pacific. It also requires that the project partner be a not-for-profit organization which is either itself a school, community project or hospital or is a supporting agency for such projects. A community project could be involved with care for children, youth, the sick, the disabled, the elderly or care for the environment, for homeless people or any other agreed social project which significantly benefits a local community. Projects must be supported by local Christian communities although they may not be directly associated with a Christian church.

Requirements of the Project Partner

 

The project partner that requests Christians Abroad to find volunteers to work within their community must complete a Partnership Application form and return it to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The project partner is asked for at least the contact details of one referee from a local or a UK Christian church or Christian partner in their community who can vouch for the work of the project.

In all projects, the project partner will identify a named person who will provide the liaison between the project, the volunteer and Christians Abroad, to ensure the safety of the volunteer and ensure that the volunteer has meaningful work to do as agreed in the initial commitment.

Publication of the Volunteer Opportunity

 

If the project application is successful, the project is promoted on thewww.cabroad.org.uk website using the information provided in the Project Application form. The project partner is asked to check the website information to ensure that it is correct. Photographs of the project are required for the publicity and promotion of the opportunity.

Financial Contributions

 

Christians Abroad will expect no contribution towards its costs paid directly by the project partner overseas. The work of Christians Abroad is funded by volunteer contributions and other contributions from grants, donations and sometimes charges for services.

Minimum Expectation of the Volunteer

 

Volunteers recruited by Christians Abroad must be

  • resident in the UK (even if temporarily), mainland Europe, the USA or Canada
  • effective communicators in English
  • willing to work within Christian communities and support their values and interests.
  • be motivated by a concern for peace, justice or community development which might arise out of Christian commitment.
The volunteer understands that they will do their best to make a useful contribution to the aims and purposes of the international project as identified and agreed in discussion with the project partner

Financial Commitment of the Volunteer

 
A volunteers’ financial commitment to the project is by donation towards recruitment costs and support costs which include
  • the cost of travel, baggage, accident and health insurances
  • preparative medical expenses,
  • any distance learning preparation and tutorials
  • air fares and other necessary travel arrangements including visas
  • any project costs whilst overseas including accommodation and meals whilst working on the project
  • any administrative costs incurred by the project overseas
  • any administrative costs incurred by Christians Abroad.
Such donations could range from £1500 – £3000 for a one month or three month placement depending largely on the nature of the project and cost of the air fare. All donations towards these costs are held by Christians Abroad in a restricted account in the volunteer’s name. These funds are a contribution by the volunteer towards the international project to enable the project to have volunteer help.
 
Where the volunteer is a tax payer, UK tax is recovered from these donations. This contributes to recovery of the cost that Christians Abroad incurs in providing recruitment and support on behalf of the project partner. The total sum includes a contribution towards the cost of the administration, preparation and support whilst overseas provided by Christians Abroad which is at least £750. This is subsidised by some grants and donations towards its work. In the case of a person unable to afford this contribution, part or all of this contribution may be waived and the total sum for the placement reduced.

Christians Abroad's Commitment

 

Christians will ensure that

  • All enquiries from the Christians Abroad website will be managed promptly and efficiently
  • All projects that are approved by Christians Abroad on the request of project partners will be advertised on www.cabroad.org.uk
  • Enquirers interested in volunteering for an overseas placement are invited to complete a Christians Abroad volunteer application form.

On receipt of an application form the enquirer becomes an applicant. Suitable candidates are then interviewed and at least two references sought.

Christians Abroad then contacts the project partner

  • to confirm that the project partner is willing to accept this applicant
  • to confirm the nature and timing of the placement for this particular applicant 

The project partner is also asked to supply contact details for recently returned volunteers living in the Europe, North America or Canada. Applicants are then put in contact with a suitable former volunteer.

If the applicant is then willing to proceed then the applicant becomes a  successful candidate and a letter of agreement is signed by the candidate, accompanied by an initial and non returnable donation of £600 towards the total costs. This first contribution towards the total sum may be partly or wholly waived if the candidate is in need of financial assistance. This first donation represents a contribution towards the administration and support for the project.

Individual contact between the successful candidate and the project partner will then be arranged so that the details of the placement can be agreed between them. The project partner shares details of the placement agreed with the candidate with Christians Abroad. The work to be undertaken must constitute meaningful work for the benefit of others.

Communication with Christians Abroad for all non-urgent matters is best by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and by telephone  on +44 870 770 7990 where a message may be left which will be responded to within 24 hours. You will be provided with details for an immediately accessible telephone number and e-mail address for health advice and emergencies.

The volunteer will  be provided with Travel, Baggage, Health and Accident Insurance by a reputable and reliable insurer and with a flexible air fare which will allow some changes to date and time if required without financial penalty.If changes are made at the request of the volunteer which require a change in visa dates then an extra cost by the volunteer might be incurred.

Christians Abroad will be responsible for arranging Criminal Record Checks for all volunteers that are likely to be working with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Project partners should alert Christians Abroad to the need for a Criminal Record Check if they require this from a volunteer. Christians Abroad may arrange for such checks regardless of a request from a project partner.

Christians Abroad will at all stages, following an agreement to support a volunteer's application,  keep in close communication with the project partner by e-mail and/or by telephone.


Expectations whilst the volunteer is working in the project and on the return of the volunteer to their home country.


Christians Abroad will expect to be consulted if a problem arises with the volunteer and Christians Abroad will do its best, by e-mail and occasionally by phone calls,  to help resolve any dispute between the volunteer and the project partner.

When the volunteer returns home from the placement overseas, Christians Abroad will expect a report from the volunteer and will seek to meet with the volunteer to review the process and the placement and its impact on the volunteer and his/her future plans. Christians Abroad would welcome feedback from the project partner.

Any constructive criticism or helpful observations will be communicated to the volunteer or the project partner to help ensure that future volunteers are given every opportunity to make an effective contribution to the project and its community.