Diakonia

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.

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

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

• Humanitarian aid services
• International development
• Human rights advocacy
• Humanitarian law advisory
• Civil society partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bromma

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Svenska AlliansmissionencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Diakonia's two founding principals/church denominations. Svenska Alliansmissionen appoints representatives to Diakonia's annual meeting which is the highest decision-making body.
• EqumeniakyrkancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Diakonia's two founding principals/church denominations. Equmeniakyrkan appoints representatives to Diakonia's annual meeting which is the highest decision-making body.
• ArbetsgivaralliansencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiakonia is a member of Arbetsgivaralliansen, an independent employer organization for non-profit and value-based organizations, ensuring collective agreements and fair working conditions.
• Giva SverigecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiakonia 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 AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiakonia is CHS-certified since 2020, one of only two organizations in Sweden. CHS sets standards for quality and accountability in humanitarian response.
• Dar Al AmalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner organization in Lebanon leading child rights project. Led by Hoda Kara, provides services to children in refugee communities in Beirut.
• TamerinstitutetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Gaza, where Feda al Hassanat works. Diakonia supports their humanitarian operations in Gaza.
• Läkare för mänskliga rättigheter (PHRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysicians for Human Rights - Israel. Diakonia's partner organization that documented Israeli attacks on healthcare in Gaza in a comprehensive report.
• VILUTHUmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Sri Lanka working on women's rights and support for communities affected by civil war.
• Save a LifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Sri Lanka supporting women's empowerment and economic opportunities.
• Law and Society Trust (LST)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Sri Lanka working on development-induced displacement and justice for affected communities.
• Church World CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHL 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/DiakoniaSverige
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/DiakoniaSeDevelopment
• Facebookfacebook.com/diakonia.se
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ihl-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/diakonia_sweden

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Diakonia