Caritas Europa is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working to build a better world, especially for the poor and oppressed, in over 200 countries and territories.

Caritas Internationalis works without regard to creed, race, gender, or ethnicity.

The mandate of the Confederation includes integral development, emergency relief, advocacy, peace building, respect for human rights and support for proper stewardship of the planet's environment and resources.

What makes Caritas unique is its ongoing presence in communities, before, during and after crisis situations. Being part of civil society and incorporating the perspective of the poor, Caritas can continuously adapt its strategies to an ever changing environment. Caritas empowers people to participate fully in all matters affecting their lives, and it advocates on their behalf at national and international forums.

Caritas promotes partnership: local autonomy is paramount in ensuring effective teamwork for the good of all.  By pooling expertise and resources, Caritas is able to identify issues at the grassroots, analyse them at national and international levels, and then take action locally, regionally and globally.