Created in 1971, Caritas Europa brings together 48 organisations that are active in 44 European countries. It is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 162 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 Europa focuses its activities on issues related to poverty and social inequality, migration and asylum within all countries of Europe, humanitarian assistance and international development throughout the world. With regard to the areas named above, Caritas Europa and its member organisations develop policies for political advocacy at European and national levels. 

The organisation is strongly involved in supporting the activities of its members and of the wider Caritas Internationalis confederation.