The International Diaconal Project was initiated by DanChurch Aid; Y's Men International, region Denmark and The Diaconal College (Diakonhøjskolen) to give partners in Eastern Europe a chance to send volunteers and professionals from churches and church-related organisations on an educational programme in Denmark sharing our long experience of social work, democratic organisations, project management and more.

The International Line is a continuation of the former International Diaconal Project, which was initiated in 1998 as a cooperation between Danish Church-related organisations. It is striving to give students an ecumenical, multi-cultural experience set in the tradition of the Danish Folk High School.

Originally, the course was a venture to reach out to our Eastern European neighbours but The Line has become truly international as, since 2002, it has welcomed students from both Asia, Latin America and Africa as well as Eastern Europe. Many partners now support the project and recruit participants from church-related organisations around the world who need good organisers and leaders in order to carry out the enormous amount of challenging diaconal and social work that the churches actively initiate in countries with minimal or no social welfare system.

As The International Line has become part of The Diaconal College it has enabled participation from both students sent by our partners in Denmark and abroad as well as opening up for participation from Danish and foreign students who would like to spend 3 months studying Diaconia and Social work and subsequently use their experience for the benefit of the church or organisation in which they are members.