‘Debt Aid Buddies’ (Schuldhulpmaatje), a project co-initiated by Dutch Eurodiaconia member Kerk in Actie, has grown rapidly over the year of 2014. The annual project report shows that a growing network of local churches is playing an active role in providing debt aid to vulnerable individuals.

In 2014, 1350 voluntary ‘buddies’ helped 4800 individuals across the country. Furthermore, 13500 people received online support via the project’s websites. In 67% of the cases, debt children were involved; 71% of those requesting aid are between 25 and 55 years old. Over the course of 2014, 184 evictions were successfully prevented through intervention at an early stage, the accumulation of further debt.

For more information about the project, please click on www.schuldhulpmaatje.nl or www.uitdeschulden.nu.