Project No.28/2026 –
Self-Reliance through Efficiency and Self-Financing
in Roman (Romania)
The Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania, of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, has proposed Ecological and Social-Charitable Project No.28/2026, entitled “Self-Reliance through Efficiency and Self-Financing.” The project aims to strengthen the economic sustainability of the Fundația Umanitară Pacea [Peace Humanitarian Foundation] through energy-efficiency improvements and the renovation of a building that will generate stable income to support the Foundation’s educational and social programs.
The project will take place in the city of Roman, in the Moldavia region, one of the most disadvantaged areas of Romania. The Foundation works primarily in Roman’s Satul Olimpic neighborhood, home to more than 250 families, including approximately 200 children growing up in conditions of social and economic vulnerability.
For years the Fundația Umanitară Pacea has supported children and families with a wide range of educational and social services, including school transportation, preschool education, a community meal program, educational activities, speech therapy services, and after-school programs. Through these initiatives, the Foundation promotes social inclusion, invests in the education of younger generations, and upholds human dignity.
To ensure the continuity and future growth of these activities, the project includes two complementary components.
The first involves renovating an existing warehouse and converting it into a functional rental space. In its current condition, the building cannot be used efficiently and requires renovation to meet minimum safety and functional standards. Once completed, it will generate stable and continuous income that the Foundation will reinvest entirely in its educational and social programs.
The second component focuses on upgrading the thermal insulation of the friary, its attic, and the rooms used for the community meal program. Operating expenses, particularly heating costs, represent one of the Foundation’s greatest financial challenges. Improving energy efficiency will reduce heat loss, significantly cut operating expenses, and allow the Foundation to allocate more resources directly to the programs benefitting the people.
The income from renting the renovated warehouse and the savings from the energy efficiency measures will be fully reinvested in the Foundation’s activities, supporting children enrolled in educational programs, expanding vocational training programs for adults, and strengthening social assistance activities.
Through this project, the Province intends to promote a development model based on financial self-reliance, efficient resource management, and long-term sustainability so that the Fundația Umanitară Pacea can continue to provide stable, high-quality services to the most vulnerable.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania
- Country: Romania
- Location: Roman
- Diocese: Iași
- Type of Project: Ecological and social-charitable project
- Direct Project Coordinator:
-
- Friar Ionel-Emilian DUMEA
- Email: fundatiapacea@ofmconv.ro
- Total Project Cost: €45,377.35 (RON 231,034.25) [1]
- Thermal insulation: €17.250,34 (RON 87,828.38)
- Building renovation: €28.127,01 (RON 143,205.87)
- Local Contribution (Fundația Umanitară Pacea):
- €5,377.35
- Contribution from Caritas Sant’Antonio:
- €14,900.00
- Contribution Requested:
- €25,124.00
- Funding Status:
- The project has received partial funding from Caritas Sant’Antonio, which contributed €14,900.00 for the thermal insulation of the building that houses the friary and the community meal program. The Fundația Umanitară Pacea has contributed €5,377.35 from its own resources. Funding is still needed for the €25,124.00 required to renovate the warehouse that will be converted into functional rental space.
How to Support the Project
You can support Project No. 28/2026 by making a financial contribution, indicating the project number and title in the payment description.
- Account Holder: CURIA GENERALIZIA DEI FRATI MINORI CONVENTUALI
- Bank: UniCredit S.p.A.
- IBAN: IT66B0200805074000005259514
- BIC / SWIFT: UNCRITM1Y82
- Payment Description: Project No. 28/2026 – Self-Reliance through Efficiency and Self-Financing in Roman (Romania)
Projects Office
Donation Information
These bank details are provided exclusively to facilitate voluntary contributions in support of projects promoted by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
The IBAN number is provided solely for the purpose of making payments and does not authorize withdrawals or access to the account in any way.
Please specify the number and title of the project you are supporting in the payment description, so that contributions can be allocated correctly and resources managed transparently.
Every donation is welcomed as a sign of participation and shared responsibility in the mission of the Order; any use of the bank details outside of official channels cannot be attributed to the Order itself.
[1] At the beginning of 2026, one RON (Romanian leu) was worth approximately €0.196409623.
Project Implementation Status Update – October 2026
Project No.28/2026 – “Self-Reliance through Efficiency and Self-Financing,” has achieved its first major milestone with the completion of the thermal insulation work for the rooms used for the community meal program at the friary in Roman. The work was carried out thanks to the support of Caritas Sant’Antonio and a grant from Fundația Umanitară Pacea [Peace Humanitarian Foundation].
Implementation of the Project
Work began on July 17, 2026, and was completed on October 8 of the same year.
After removing the wooden paneling and PVC materials, the exterior walls and attic were prepared for insulation. The insulation was then installed and the necessary finishing work completed. This was followed by the installation of ceramic tiles on the windowsills, the restoration of the wood paneling, and the painting of the walls.
The work started later than planned because the contractor had prior commitments. During construction, it also became necessary to level the walls, which extended the expected timeline. Despite these setbacks, the work was completed on schedule and with positive results.
Results and Benefits of the Project
Before the work began, the rooms used for the community meal program lacked adequate insulation in the attic and exterior walls and were particularly vulnerable to moisture. The friars noticed a significant improvement as soon as the workers installed the insulation in the attic.
Since winter in Romania lasts about six months and heating costs are high, it is now hoped that gas bills will be reduced, and the savings redirected toward ongoing projects.
The community meal program operates Monday through Friday and occasionally on Saturdays, ten months a year. It serves approximately fifty people each day, providing breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. The meal program also furnishes hot meals on certain occasions for groups of families supported by the friars and for young people participating in volunteer activities. Overall, the program reaches more than 200 beneficiaries.
The improvements will allow the program to invite people into warmer, more comfortable spaces that offer better protection from the cold.
Testimonials
Gabriela, a social worker at Fundația Umanitară Pacea, emphasizes the importance of the work:
“For me, insulating the soup kitchen at Fundația Umanitară Pacea means improving conditions for our beneficiaries, reducing heat loss, and lowering the building’s heating costs. We can use the savings to support other social and educational programs for vulnerable children and families. We thank all our benefactors for their support, which helps us continue our social mission.”
A mother who benefits from the community meal program expresses her gratitude:
“I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for helping insulate the soup kitchen at Fundația Pacea! The hot meals my children and I receive here is an invaluable source of support. Thanks to your thoughtfulness and generosity, the soup kitchen will now be better protected from the cold, and we will be able to enjoy a warmer, more welcoming environment. May God reward you for all the good you do! Thank you for remembering us and continuing to stand by our side!”
Financial Report
Caritas Sant’Antonio contributed €14,900.00 toward the project, disbursed in two installments of €7,450.00 each, received on June 9 and September 4, 2026, respectively.
Two invoices from the construction contractor document the expenses:
- First invoice: RON [Romanian leu, the official currency of Romania] 44,500.00.
- Second invoice: RON 43,400.00.
- Total cost of the work: RON 87,900.00.
The final cost exceeded the original estimate of RON 87,828.38 by just RON 71.62. Fundația Umanitară Pacea covered the portion of the expenses not funded by Caritas Sant’Antonio using its own resources.
Continuing the Project and Funding Needs
Completing the thermal insulation work fulfills one of the project’s two components. The renovation of the existing warehouse, which is intended for rental, still requires funding.
The contribution requested in the initial financial plan to complete the project’s total funding is €25,124.00.
The project therefore remains open to further funding. The progress achieved so far marks a concrete first step, while additional donations will make it possible to complete the remaining work and strengthen the financial sustainability of the Foundation’s, educational and social programs.
Projects Office
