Project HOPE, based in Goa, India, has been honored with the prestigious “Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis, for an economy of fraternity” international prize for 2024-2025, recognizing its transformative work with at-risk youth and survivors of abuse. The award ceremony took place on Sunday, May 25, at the Church of St. Mary Major in Assisi, Italy.
The project’s name, Healing, Opportunities, Protection, and Empowerment—reflects its mission to support vulnerable young adults, especially those over 18 who are deaf-blind or survivors of abuse. Project HOPE grew out of Caritas Goa’s Childline helpline program, which focused on rescuing and rehabilitating children from neglected villages. When the government took over Childline in 2023, operational gaps emerged, prompting seven young volunteers already involved with Caritas Goa’s work for the deaf-blind to unite and launch Project HOPE.
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Project HOPE offers critical services such as a crisis call center and specialized training in creating eco-friendly, handcrafted products, including soap, toilet paper rolls, and biodegradable hospitality kits. These products have gained commercial success, with major hotel chains like Taj Hotels marketing and selling them.
Fr. Sanford Rodrigues accepted the €50,000 prize on behalf of the project, highlighting that “hope” is more than just a word—it represents a movement toward dignity, independence, and fraternity. The entrepreneurship training provided ensures that vulnerable youth can build self-sufficiency and escape abusive environments caused by financial dependence.
