Diakonia
Diakonia is a Swedish faith-based humanitarian and development organization founded in 1966, working in roughly 20 countries through approximately 300 local partners, funded by individual donors, Sida, the EU, and its IHL Centre consulting subsidiary.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersBromma, Sweden
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Diakonia does
Diakonia is a Swedish faith-based humanitarian and international development organization founded in 1966 and registered as an ideell organisation (non-profit) under organization number 802017-3517. It operates in approximately 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa, working through a network of around 300 local partner organizations. Its programmatic focus spans humanitarian relief, long-term development cooperation, and human-rights advocacy, with a stated allocation of 92 percent of donated funds directly to projects.
The organization employs approximately 190 staff globally, of which roughly 30 are based at its Stockholm headquarters, with a regional office in Bogotá, Colombia. Diakonia operates a subsidiary called the IHL Centre (International Humanitarian Law Centre), which maintains staff in Geneva and Brussels and provides legal and policy advisory services. The organization holds multiple accountability credentials, including CHS certification since 2020 (making it one of only two Swedish CHS-certified organizations) and the 90 Konto certification from the Swedish Fundraising Council, and it received a 2022 Gold Award from Insamlingskontroll.
Diakonia's revenue model combines individual donor contributions, structured as monthly subscriptions at 200, 300, and 500 SEK tiers, with institutional funding from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), the EU, and other public donors, supplemented by income from IHL Centre advisory services. The organization does not operate proprietary technology platforms; digital infrastructure consists of standard web, CRM, and fundraising tools. Recent product initiatives such as the FUEGA educational board game (launched November 25, 2024) signal experimentation with advocacy and edutainment formats. Leadership is headed by Secretary General Mattias Brunander, with Anna Eggelind as International Director, Sofia Hallonsten as Director of Communication and Advocacy, and Pether Nordin as Chair of the Board.
Diakonia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Diakonia
- Legal name
- Diakonia
- Website
- https://diakonia.se
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Diakonia is a Swedish faith-based humanitarian and development organization founded in 1966, working in roughly 20 countries through approximately 300 local partners, funded by individual donors, Sida, the EU, and its IHL Centre consulting subsidiary.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Diakonia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development and Humanitarian Aid Services
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH)
Keywords
Where Diakonia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bromma
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Diakonia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Diakonia generates revenue through individual giving programs including monthly donations (monthly givers), one-time gifts via Swish, and testamentary gifts. Donors can sign up for monthly giving at 200 SEK, 300 SEK, 500 SEK, or custom amounts. 92% of donations go directly to projects.
- Institutional Funding: Diakonia receives funding from institutional donors including Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and the European Union. These partnerships support development and humanitarian programs globally.
- IHL Centre Services: The IHL Centre (International Humanitarian Law Centre), a part of Diakonia, provides legal advice, analysis, research, and training on international humanitarian law. The centre has global presence with context-specific expertise in Middle East, Israel/Palestine, and Africa.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly giving at 500 SEK qualifies for tax deduction |
| Subscription | Monthly | Popular monthly giving option at 300 SEK |
| Subscription | Monthly | Entry-level monthly giving at 200 SEK |
| Subscription | Monthly | Custom amount monthly giving option |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Diakonia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Diakonia delivers international development cooperation and humanitarian aid programs through long-term partnerships with approximately 300 local civil society organizations in around 20 countries. Its work spans child rights, gender equality, water and climate adaptation, education access, LGBTQI+ rights, and international humanitarian law advisory services via the IHL Centre. The organization is funded primarily through individual donations from Swedish supporters and institutional grants from Sida and the European Union.
Product overview
Diakonia is a Swedish faith-based development organisation founded in 1966, working with approximately 300 local partner organisations in around 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East/North Africa. Its portfolio consists of a set of thematic development projects and humanitarian programmes — including the IHL Centre (providing legal expertise on international humanitarian law), the Barnrättsprojektet and Barnboksprojektet (child rights and literacy projects), the Vattenprojektet, Växthusprojektet, Skolprojektet, and Kärleksprojektet — alongside advocacy initiatives such as the Per Anger Prize. The organisation also operates donation and engagement platforms for supporters, and an IHL Advisory Service providing free legal advice on armed conflict law. Diakonia's work is grounded in thematic pillars of human rights, gender equality, and democracy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IHL Centre (International Humanitarian Law Centre) An independent, specialised legal centre within Diakonia that provides legal advice, analysis, research, and training on international humanitarian law to states, humanitarian organisations, UN mechanisms, independent investigative bodies, and local civil society groups. Staffed by over 20 international lawyers, it advocates for the protection of people affected by armed conflict and operates context-specific programs in the Middle East, Israel/Palestine, and Africa.
- Barnrättsprojektet (Children's Rights Project) Program providing education, play, psychological support, and safe spaces for children living in refugee camps in Beirut, Lebanon. Implemented in partnership with local organisations such as Najdeh and Dar Al Amal, it serves refugee and displaced children affected by conflict and displacement.
- Barnboksprojektet (Book Project) Project providing books, stories, and creative activities for children in Palestine, including Gaza and the West Bank. It offers children a sanctuary to process difficult experiences, dream about the future, and access safe creative spaces amid conflict.
- Vattenprojektet (Water Project) Sustainable water access initiative serving highland communities in Peru that face water scarcity and drought caused by climate change. The project deploys simple smart solutions to secure reliable water supplies and build climate resilience.
- Växthusprojektet (Greenhouse Project) Climate adaptation project in Somalia using net-built greenhouses with drip irrigation to improve harvests, food security, and family income for drought-affected farmers. It addresses one of the world's most climate-impacted agricultural contexts.
- Skolprojektet (School Project) Education project in Egypt ensuring equal access to schooling for all children, particularly girls. It addresses gendered inequality and oppression-driven dropout rates and equips children and youth with the schooling they are entitled to.
- Kärleksprojektet (Love Project) Project in Peru creating safe spaces for people to express their identity and love freely, focused on LGBTQI+ rights and gender equality. The project supports LGBTQI+ persons and advocates for their protection under local and international human rights frameworks.
- FUEGA - Gender-Based Violence Prevention Game Educational board game designed to prevent gender-based violence, launched in Paraguay on 25 November 2024 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women). Created collaboratively by 24 organizations through a Gender-Based Violence Gamification Lab and distributed in Spanish.
- Per Anger Prize Annual human rights award administered by Diakonia, named after Swedish diplomat Per Anger, presented to a human rights defender who has demonstrated exceptional courage in promoting human rights and democracy.
- Barnens tankesmedja Challenge Engagement program offering challenge activities for leaders and children aged 8-12 to think, compete, and discuss themes of justice, faith, and the future as part of Diakonia's youth and educational outreach.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of donations go directly to projects
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Diakonia
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Diakonia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Diakonia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Svenska AlliansmissionencoreOne of Diakonia's two founding principals/church denominations. Svenska Alliansmissionen appoints representatives to Diakonia's annual meeting which is the highest decision-making body.
- EqumeniakyrkancoreOne of Diakonia's two founding principals/church denominations. Equmeniakyrkan appoints representatives to Diakonia's annual meeting which is the highest decision-making body.
- ArbetsgivaralliansencoreDiakonia is a member of Arbetsgivaralliansen, an independent employer organization for non-profit and value-based organizations, ensuring collective agreements and fair working conditions.
- Giva SverigecoreDiakonia is a member of Giva Sverige, the Swedish trade association for fund-raising organizations, which sets requirements for its members on transparency and accountability.
- Core Humanitarian Standard AlliancecoreDiakonia is CHS-certified since 2020, one of only two organizations in Sweden. CHS sets standards for quality and accountability in humanitarian response.
- Dar Al AmalmajorLocal partner organization in Lebanon leading child rights project. Led by Hoda Kara, provides services to children in refugee communities in Beirut.
- TamerinstitutetmajorPartner organization in Gaza, where Feda al Hassanat works. Diakonia supports their humanitarian operations in Gaza.
- Läkare för mänskliga rättigheter (PHRI)majorPhysicians for Human Rights - Israel. Diakonia's partner organization that documented Israeli attacks on healthcare in Gaza in a comprehensive report.
- VILUTHUmajorPartner organization in Sri Lanka working on women's rights and support for communities affected by civil war.
- Save a LifemajorPartner organization in Sri Lanka supporting women's empowerment and economic opportunities.
- Law and Society Trust (LST)majorPartner organization in Sri Lanka working on development-induced displacement and justice for affected communities.
- Church World CouncilcoreIHL Centre participates in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) managed by the Church World Council, sending volunteers to monitor human rights.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Diakonia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Erikshjälpen: Swedish faith-based second-hand retail and development aid organization, closely comparable in faith roots (Swedish Free Church background), Swedish individual-donor funding model, and international development partnerships in Africa and Latin America.
- Plan International Sverige: Swedish affiliate of Plan International, focused on children's rights and gender equality in developing countries with comparable Sida institutional funding, Swedish individual-donor base, and multi-country partner-driven program model.
- Rädda Barnen (Save the Children Sweden): Largest Swedish child-rights INGO, similarly raising funds from Swedish individual donors, receiving Sida co-funding, and operating across multiple developing countries through partner organizations. Directly comparable in funding model, donor geography, and Swedish institutional positioning.
- Swedish Red Cross (Svenska Röda Korset): Major Swedish humanitarian organization combining domestic fundraising, Sida/EU institutional funding, and international programming through the International Red Cross movement. Comparable in scale, multi-country programming, and Swedish donor base.
- Amnesty International Sverige: Swedish section of Amnesty International, sharing a Swedish individual-donor-driven funding model, advocacy emphasis on human rights and IHL, and engagement with EU/UN policy forums in Brussels and Geneva.
- Forum Syd: Swedish umbrella/platform organization for civil society groups, partially overlapping with Diakonia's Swedish NGO network role and Sida framework funding access. Comparable in operating context and policy advocacy.
- PMU Interlife: Swedish Pentecostal aid organization working internationally through local partners with similar donor geography (Swedish individuals and congregations) and faith-based positioning. Overlaps directly with Diakonia in theology-rooted development work.
- Läkare Utan Gränser (Médecins Sans Frontières Sweden): Swedish affiliate of MSF, sharing Diakonia's emphasis on humanitarian operations in conflict zones, Swedish individual-donor fundraising, and Sida institutional co-funding. Comparable in advocacy posture on international humanitarian law.
Broad incumbents
- Norwegian Refugee Council: Larger Nordic-headquartered INGO focused on displacement and humanitarian response in conflict-affected states, with overlapping IHL/protection focus and similar partner-driven delivery model. Significantly larger in scale but comparable in programmatic categories.
Others
- Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency): Swedish government bilateral aid agency and one of Diakonia's largest institutional funders. Not a direct competitor but the principal counterparty in Diakonia's institutional revenue, shaping program scope and compliance burden.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Diakonia social profiles
Digital presenceDiakonia compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Diakonia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Diakonia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Diakonia subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Diakonia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Diakonia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Diakonia
What does Diakonia do?
Diakonia delivers international development cooperation and humanitarian aid programs through long-term partnerships with approximately 300 local civil society organizations in around 20 countries. Its work spans child rights, gender equality, water and climate adaptation, education access, LGBTQI+ rights, and international humanitarian law advisory services via the IHL Centre. The organization is funded primarily through individual donations from Swedish supporters and institutional grants from Sida and the European Union.
Is Diakonia a public or private company?
Diakonia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Diakonia founded?
Diakonia was founded in 1966. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Diakonia based?
Diakonia is headquartered in Bromma, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Diakonia make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are institutional Funding and IHL Centre Services.
Who are Diakonia's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Erikshjälpen, Plan International Sverige, Rädda Barnen (Save the Children Sweden), Swedish Red Cross (Svenska Röda Korset), Amnesty International Sverige, Forum Syd, PMU Interlife and Läkare Utan Gränser (Médecins Sans Frontières Sweden). Norwegian Refugee Council is listed as a broad incumbent. Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) is listed as an others.
Does Diakonia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Diakonia.
What industry is Diakonia in?
Diakonia's product category is International Development and Humanitarian Aid Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAA, Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery), with a secondary code of BPAGAAAH, Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8300.