Integra was founded in 1995 to aid Slovakians with economic support after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. Since then, the organisation has internationalized, guided by a vision to mitigate the consequences of a broken world where the needs are the greatest.
In addition to providing humanitarian relief and helping lift people out of poverty across East Africa, Integra also mobilises and equips Slovak churches to address the climate emergency, helping them to play their part in the care of God’s creation. This environmental focus has underpinned much of Integra’s development work, too, including their ongoing efforts to plant over 20 million trees in Africa.
“We plant trees with purpose, helping farmers to plant the right trees in the right places with the right tools. We have a commitment with the farmers to then buy the nuts from these trees. Our goal is to solve poverty through ethical and fair entrepreneurship.” - Ivana Čorbová, Humanitarian Project Manager
Integra joined Renew Our World in 2020, and the organisation has shared the message of the campaign across Slovakia through a number of projects; producing a carbon calculator and eco game for churches, running a photo exhibition in public venues that show the impacts of climate change on communities at the frontlines of the crisis, and even recording a Slovak version of the Renew Our World song!
Looking ahead, Integra hopes to continue to shift the culture across the Slovak church, challenging them to think more proactively about supporting justice work around the world, and breaking down any barriers against responding to the climate emergency as an outworking of our Christian faith.
You can find out more about Integra at its website here.
Ivana Čorbová joined Integra in 2016 as a Sponsorship Coordinator for their Children’s Support program. She currently operates as Integra’s Coordinator of Climate and Humanitarian Projects, and represents the organisation’s work as the Renew Our World national expression for Slovakia.