Astural

What Astural does

Astural is a Geneva-based non-profit association founded in 1954 by Raymond Uldry, Tuteur général, that operates 13 small-scale specialized institutions serving children, adolescents, and families facing developmental, psychological, social, or learning difficulties in the canton of Geneva. The organization's service portfolio spans six categories: itinerant educational services (SEI, ASPAD) that support integration into ordinary school settings; residential facilities (HORAÉ, KALON, Centre de Chevrens) providing 24/7 care for adolescents; pedagogical-therapeutic day care centers (Arc-en-Ciel, Helios, La Châtelaine, Horizon) offering individualized interdisciplinary support for ages 4-18; a specialized school (Petits Pas dans les Bois); pre-qualification professional training programs (Ateliers ABX, Parcours A2mains, Centre de formation de Chevrens) for youth in training rupture; and mediation services (AMPM). The organization also publishes the podcast "Ce qui nous lie" and the academic publication series Cahiers de l'Astural to share professional practice.

The service model relies on interdisciplinary teams employing systemic and solution-focused approaches, with notable specialization in co-intervention within ordinary classrooms (1P-2P) via the SEI service. There is no proprietary technology platform; the operational footprint consists of physical institutions and standard administrative tools. Real estate assets are held and managed through a separate Foundation Astural, established in 1990.

Astural operates under a non-commercial revenue model. Services are provided to beneficiaries at no direct charge and are funded through multi-year performance contracts (contrats de prestations) issued by the State of Geneva, primarily through the Office de la Jeunesse (OEJ), supplemented by public grants, occasional extraordinary credits, and individual or organizational donations. The organization is a member of AGOEER, the Geneva sector association that collectively negotiates performance contracts with the cantonal government. Astural employs between 251 and 500 staff, is governed by an association committee, and is managed day-to-day by Secretary General Philippe Bossy under the presidency of Françoise Tschopp.

Name

Astural

Legal name

Astural

Website

https://astural.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Astural is a Geneva-based non-profit association operating 13 specialized institutions that deliver educational, therapeutic, and pedagogical services to children, adolescents, and families with developmental difficulties, funded primarily through public performance contracts with the State of Geneva.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Social Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAKAC

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAAAA

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Special Education Schools & Programs

SECONDARYEDAKAKAJ

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDANAFAD

Autism Spectrum (ASD) Academic & Social-Communication Support Tutoring

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Special Needs & Learning Differences Tutoring (IEP/504, Dyslexia, ADHD)

Keywords

• Specialized education services
• Therapeutic care
• Residential child care
• Family support
• Social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Thônex

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Subsidies and Contracts de Prestations: Astural's primary revenue derives from performance-based contracts with the State of Geneva (OEJ/Office de la jeunesse) and other public bodies. These subsidy arrangements cover the operational costs of the organization's 13 institutions. Revenue is also supplemented by public grants and occasional extraordinary credits when needed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Astural is a Geneva-based non-profit association that operates 13 small-scale institutions providing specialized educational, therapeutic, and pedagogical services to children, adolescents, and families facing developmental, psychological, social, or learning difficulties. Its offerings span itinerant school-based support, home-based parental support, residential living spaces, pedago-therapeutic day schools, a specialized school, pre-qualification training pathways, and family mediation. All services are funded through public performance contracts with the State of Geneva and provided to beneficiaries at no direct charge.

Product overview

Astural is a Geneva-based association managing 13 small-sized institutions that provide educational, therapeutic, and pedagogical support for children and young people facing developmental difficulties. The organization operates a diversified portfolio of services organized into six categories: (1) Itinerant educational services (SEI, ASPAD) that support integration into ordinary schooling; (2) Specialized residential facilities (HORAÉ, KALON, Centre de Chevrens) providing 24/7 care; (3) Pedagogical-therapeutic day care centers (Arc-en-Ciel, Helios, La Châtelaine, Horizon) offering individual interdisciplinary support; (4) A specialized school (Petits Pas dans les Bois); (5) Pre-qualification professional training services (Ateliers ABX, Centre de formation de Chevrens, Parcours A2mains) helping youth transition to employment; and (6) Mediation services (AMPM). The organization also publishes a podcast (Ce qui nous lie) and a publication series (Cahiers de l'Astural) to share professional knowledge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Service Éducatif Itinérant (SEI): Itinerant educational service providing support to children with special needs in regular schools
• Externat pédago-thérapeutique Arc-en-Ciel
• HORAÉ Lieu de vie pour adolescentes
• KALON Lieu de vie pour adolescents+
• Centre de Chevrens
• ASPAD
• AMPM
• Ce qui nous lie

Products and services

• Service Éducatif Itinérant (SEI) Itinerant educational service providing specialized support to integrate children with special needs into ordinary school settings in the canton of Geneva.
• Accompagnement et soutien parental à domicile (ASPAD) Home-based parental support and accompaniment service for families with young children with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorders.
• HORAÉ Lieu de vie pour adolescentes Residential living space providing 24/7 specialized educational support for teenage girls in the canton of Geneva.
• Centre de Chevrens Multi-service center offering pre-apprenticeship training and various educational programs for children and adolescents.
• KALON Lieu de vie pour adolescents+ Residential living space for adolescents with complex needs requiring specialized educational support.
• Externat pédago-thérapeutique Arc-en-Ciel Pedagogical-therapeutic day care center for children ages 4-8, providing individualized interdisciplinary care and a systemic family approach.
• Externat pédago-thérapeutique Helios Pedagogical-therapeutic day care service for children requiring specialized educational support.
• Externat pédago-thérapeutique La Châtelaine Pedagogical-therapeutic day care service for children ages 7-12 requiring specialized support.
• Externat pédago-thérapeutique Horizon Pedagogical-therapeutic day care service for boys ages 13-18, including specialized workshops such as painting.
• École spécialisée Petits Pas dans les Bois Specialized school for children requiring intensive pedagogical-therapeutic support.
• Ateliers ABX Pre-qualification workshops providing practical skills training, including woodworking and mechanical workshops, for young people in rupture of training.
• Centre de formation de Chevrens Professional training center for pre-qualification and skills development.
• Parcours A2mains Pre-qualification pathway for young people, supporting their transition to professional training.
• Antenne de médiation et de prévention avec des mineurs (AMPM) Mediation and prevention service for minors, providing conflict resolution and family mediation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13 institutions serving children and adolescents in Geneva with specialized care

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Université de Genève (Université de Genève, Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l'Éducation)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2025Astural's Service Éducatif Itinérant (SEI) co-organized a public conference with Prof. Céline Chatenoud and the PRINSEPS team (Prévention, Intervention, Soutien en Education Précoce Spécialisée) at the Université de Genève, featuring Nancy Gaudreau of Université Laval on specialized early education and interprofessional collaboration.
• OMP (Office de la petite enfance, Genève)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Astural co-created the ASPAD (Accompagnement et Soutien Parental à Domicile) pilot project with the OMP in 2022, expanding its mandate to support parents of young children with disabilities (DI/TSA) at home. The SEI also broadened its activities in coordination with the OMP following the introduction of inclusive schooling legislation.
• OEJ (Office de la jeunesse, Genève)coreOthers · 1 January 2022The OEJ is the cantonal authority that issues Astural's performance contracts (contrats de prestations) and oversees the organization's mandate. Astural works under OEJ's commissioning framework covering the 2018-2021 and subsequent contractual periods.
• AGOEER (Association genevoise des organisations d'établissements pour enfants et adolescents en relation avec l'État)coreOthers · 1 January 2018Astural participates in the AGOEER, a Geneva-level association of institutions for children and adolescents in relationship with the State. AGOEER coordinates collective negotiations of performance contracts (contrats de prestations) with the State of Geneva and represents member institutions on policy matters affecting the subsidized social and educational sector.
• INSOS (Institutionen für Menschen mit Unterstützungsbedarf)minorOthers · 1 January 2018INSOS is a Swiss umbrella organization representing institutions that care for adults with support needs. While primarily focused on adult care, INSOS collaborates with AGOEER on shared policy concerns including funding negotiations and contractual frameworks affecting subsidized institutions.
• État de Genève (cantonal government)coreOthersThe primary public funder of Astural's operations, providing ongoing subsidies and extraordinary credits. The State of Geneva also owns or endorses the contractual frameworks under which Astural delivers its services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• INSOS Suisse: Swiss umbrella organization of institutions supporting people with disabilities. Astural is a member through AGOEER; comparable in serving disabled populations under public mandate but at the national federation level.
• Pro Juventute: National Swiss foundation for child and youth welfare with regional offices. Comparable in mission (youth support, family services) but operates at broader national scope rather than Astural's Geneva focus.

Direct peers

• Centre social protestant (CSP): Geneva-based Protestant social center providing social assistance, legal aid, and family support. Comparable as a Geneva non-profit delivering publicly-funded social services.
• Croix-Rouge genevoise: Geneva Red Cross chapter delivering social, health, and family support services under cantonal mandate. Comparable as a multi-service Geneva non-profit delivering subsidized social and educational services.
• Caritas Genève: Geneva branch of Caritas Switzerland delivering social assistance, integration, and family support services. Comparable as a publicly-funded Geneva social-services operator serving vulnerable populations.
• Hospice général: Geneva's public social-assistance institution providing social support, housing, and welfare services. Directly comparable as a Geneva-based non-profit delivering subsidized social services under cantonal mandate, and historically collaborated with Astural on network management.
• Cerebral Genève: Swiss association supporting people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities, active in Geneva. Comparable to Astural's disability-support mission for children and families under cantonal mandate.
• Fondation de Verdeaux: Geneva-based foundation running residential and educational institutions for children and adolescents in difficulty. Closely comparable service portfolio to Astural's externats, foyers, and pre-qualification programs.
• Pro Infirmis Genève: Swiss disability-support organization with Geneva regional operations providing counseling, accommodation, and integration services. Comparable to Astural's family support and social-integration offerings.

Regional players

• Fondation officielle de la jeunesse (FOJ): Geneva-based foundation operating youth residential and day institutions. Comparable mandate and target population to Astural's foyers and externats.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astural

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Astural