ASSISI (SE): The 2024-2025 Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis Prize for an Economy of Fraternity was awarded to Project HOPE on May 25 at the Church of St. Mary Major in Assisi, as reported by Vatican News.
Project HOPE, which stands for “Healing, Opportunities, Protection, and Empowerment,” is based in Goa, India. It evolved from an initiative by Caritas Goa called “Childline,” which focused on rescuing and rehabilitating at-risk children, especially from the poorest and most neglected villages.
In 2023, the government in Goa took control of Childline. However, critical inconsistencies started to appear. To tackle these issues, seven young people who were already working with Caritas Goa—helping those with hearing and sight difficulties—came together to find a solution.
This led to the creation of Project HOPE. The goal is to support young adults over 18 and those who have experienced abuse, including individuals who are deaf-blind. One of the key features of the project is a call center where young people can reach out for help and support when they need it.
Father Sanford Rodrigues of the Archdiocese of Goa accepted the award in Assisi, expressing gratitude on behalf of the approximately 1,000 young people who will benefit from the €50,000 prize. Winners also received a scarf depicting St. Francis removing his clothes, symbolizing the renunciation of material wealth.
Father Rodrigues pointed out that “hope” encompasses more than just a simple word; it signifies a movement dedicated to offering support to those in need through a fresh economy of fraterninty involving the business sector in creating a nurturing environment for establishing a future characterised by dignity and self-sufficiency.
The goal is to support young adults over 18 and those who have experienced abuse, including individuals who are deaf-blind. One of the key features of the project is a call center where young people can reach out for help and support when they need it
He emphasised that the entrepreneurship training provided by Project HOPE empowers young individuals to break free from abusive situations without being hindered by financial limitations.
The project also offers specialised training to create eco-friendly handcrafted products, such as toilet paper rolls, soap, handmade items, and biodegradable packaging, including custom-designed eco-friendly hospitality kits based on demand. The products have achieved commercial success, with one of the most prominent hotel chains, Taj Hotels, stocking, marketing, and selling Project HOPE’s offerings.
Father Rodrigues stated that the prize will help foster an international community of fraternity and “change-makers.” This will be facilitated through a WhatsApp group dedicated to sharing information on training and management development.
“We receive this prize not to keep it but to be its stewards,” he explained. He added that the organization hopes “every act of healing, every life uplifted, and every effort of fraternity through this mission” will spread hope around the world.
Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi, highlighted the significance of the prize, stating that “charity can become greater, more efficient, and truer when it becomes political charity.” He emphasised that this prize sets an example of how to achieve this.
Filipe Neri António Sebastião Cardinal do Rosário Ferrão of Goa and Daman, the seventh Patriarch of the East Indies, also shared a message expressing his joy on the occasion of the award ceremony.
