Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt

What Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt does

OEW – Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt is an Italian non-profit organization (Ente del Terzo Settore, ODV) founded in 1990 and headquartered in Brixen (Bressanone), South Tyrol. It operates an interconnected portfolio of social, educational, and advocacy programs rather than a unified technology product. Its three core programs are the zebra. street newspaper (launched 2014, sold at €3/copy by ~60 vendors in precarious situations with €1.50 retained per sale), the Fachbibliothek Eine Welt specialist library (~12,000 media items on diversity, human rights, and sustainability available for loan), and the OEW Plus educational platform delivering workshops to schools and associations across German, Italian, and Ladin language groups.

The organization supplements these with Diversity & Inclusion Training for South Tyrolean businesses, international development partner projects in seven Global South countries (Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia — including an 18-year partnership with Vida y Esperanza in Bolivia), foreign internship placements, fair fashion / ECOTEX initiatives, and recurring advocacy campaigns such as Stop Racism! and MoveTheDate. No proprietary technology stack is in use; programmatic delivery is human-led.

OEW's revenue model is fundamentally a non-profit donation and grant model: annual membership fees at €15/€25/€50 tiers, unrestricted and project-targeted donations (with 5% allocated to overhead), the Italian 5-per-mille tax designation (Tax ID 9000 98 30 218), street newspaper sales, and an emerging commercial line from paid B2B diversity training. The organization is member-governed with a Vorstand board and a Geschäftsleitung executive duo (Verena Gschnell and Maximilian Ploner), and is independently financed with no parent company, equity ownership, or venture backing disclosed.

Name

Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt

Legal name

OEW – Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt EO

Website

https://oew.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OEW – Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt is a South Tyrol-based non-profit organization operating since 1990, delivering the zebra. street newspaper, a specialist library, school workshops, diversity training for businesses, and international development projects across seven countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit social services and international development cooperation

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

Open Courseware & Course Modules (OCW) (EDAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG), OER Licensing, Rights & Open Policy Support (Creative Commons) (EDAGAJAO)

Keywords

• International development cooperation
• Non-profit social services
• Street newspaper publishing
• Global education programs
• Diversity inclusion training

Headquarters

HQ city

Brixen

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Fees: As a non-profit organization (Onlus), OEW funds a significant portion of its work through donations and annual membership fees from supporters. Membership tiers include €15/year for students, €25/year for regular members, and €50/year for supporting members.
2. Street Newspaper Sales: The zebra. street newspaper generates revenue through sales. Vendors purchase copies for €1.50 and sell them for €3, with €1.50 going to production costs and €1.50 remaining with vendors. The newspaper is also available via WhatsApp and digital channels.
3. Donations for Specific Projects: Targeted donations for specific international development projects in Africa and South America (Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia). 5% of project donations go to administrative overhead.
4. 5 Promille (Tax Designation): Italian taxpayers can designate 5 per mille of their income tax to OEW (Tax number: 9000 98 30 218), providing additional non-targeted funding.
5. Diversity Training for Businesses: Professional training services for South Tyrolean businesses on diversity and inclusion topics. The training is customizable (1-3 modules of 3-4 hours each) and available on request.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

OEW is a non-profit organization that delivers a portfolio of social, educational, and advocacy programs centered on global justice, conscious consumption, and anti-discrimination. Its flagship offering is the zebra. street newspaper, a journalism and social-integration project that provides dignified work to about 60 vendors. Core offerings also include the OEW Plus educational platform and the Fachbibliothek Eine Welt specialist library for schools, international cooperation projects in seven Global South countries, foreign internship placements, fair fashion activism, and fee-based Diversity & Inclusion training for South Tyrolean businesses.

Product overview

OEW (Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Brixen, South Tyrol, offering a portfolio of interconnected social, educational, and activist programs rather than a unified software product. The core products are: (1) the street newspaper zebra. — a dual editorial and social project providing dignified employment to approximately 60 people in precarious situations; (2) the Fachbibliothek Eine Welt — an in-house specialist library with ~12,000 items and themed media packages; and (3) the OEW Plus educational platform — delivering workshops and teaching materials for schools and associations. These are complemented by a suite of programs including Diversity & Inclusion Training for businesses, Partnerprojekte in Südtirol and im Globalen Süden, foreign internship placements, and the Fair Fashion / ECOTEX initiative. The portfolio is connected through shared themes of global justice, conscious consumption, anti-discrimination, and social inclusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• zebra. Street newspaper published by OEW since 2014, providing dignified employment to approximately 60 people in difficult life situations and promoting constructive journalism with local relevance.
• OEW Plus
• Fachbibliothek Eine Welt
• Diversity & Inclusion Training

Products and services

• zebra. Street Newspaper A monthly street newspaper published by OEW since 2014, sold by approximately 60 people in difficult life situations for €3 per copy (€1.50 to vendors, €1.50 to production). Features constructive journalism with locally relevant stories and critical social commentary. Available in print and via digital channels (Calaméo, WhatsApp).
• Fachbibliothek Eine Welt (Specialist Library) An in-house specialist library holding approximately 12,000 media items (books, DVDs, themed packages) covering diversity, human rights, anti-discrimination, sustainable economics, and conscious consumption. Available for loan and includes media packages for schools. Open Monday–Friday 8:30–12:30.
• OEW Plus Educational Platform An educational platform offering workshop programs and teaching materials for schools, kindergartens, and associations. Covers topics including global learning, anti-racism, migration, colonialism, and sustainability.
• Diversity & Inclusion Training for Businesses A continuing education program for South Tyrolean businesses, organizations, and associations, focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Customizable training consisting of 1–3 modules of 3–4 hours each, covering age, origin, gender identity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and social background. Pricing available on request.
• International Partner Projects in the Global South International cooperation projects in seven partner countries (Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia), supported by local project groups in South Tyrol. Activities include education, family support, healthcare, vocational training, and environmental protection.
• Local Partner Projects in South Tyrol Local South Tyrol projects including action weeks (MoveTheDate Earth Overshoot Day, Stop Racism!), Repair Cafés in Brixen and Bolzen, fair fashion initiatives, and membership in networks such as the Clean Clothes Campaign and UNITED.
• Foreign Internships (Auslandspraktika) Internship program placing young South Tyroleans in social, educational, and environmental projects in Latin America and Africa for a minimum of three months. Includes preparatory seminars and accompaniment by OEW.
• Fair Fashion / ECOTEX Fair fashion initiative including membership in the Clean Clothes Campaign (since 2018), an interactive map of fair trade shops in South Tyrol, and the annual ECOTEX trade fair for fair and ecological clothing.
• Anti-Discrimination & Stop Racism Campaign Anti-discrimination campaigns and training including the Stop Racism! action weeks across South Tyrol, anti-discrimination training for pedagogical staff, and referrals to discrimination counseling centers via UNAR membership.
• OEW Membership Program Annual membership program with three tiers: €15/year for students, €25/year for regular members, and €50/year for supporting members. Provides supporters a formal connection to OEW's mission and governance rights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides work opportunities for approximately 60 people in difficult life situations through zebra. street newspaper
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• INSP (International Network of Street Papers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerzebra. is a member of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), a worldwide network of street newspapers that follow similar principles and enable people in difficult life situations to earn autonomous income.
• Clean Clothes Campaign / Campagna Abiti PuliticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW has been a member since 2018 of the Clean Clothes Campaign (Italian: Campagna Abiti Puliti), which fights against exploitative practices in the textile industry through petitions and actions.
• UNAR (Ufficio Nazionale Antidiscriminazioni Razziali)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is a member of UNAR, Italy's national anti-discrimination office, providing support for discrimination cases.
• Antirassismus-Netzwerk UNITEDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is a member of the UNITED Anti-Racism Network, participating in ongoing training and offering courses on anti-discrimination and racism topics.
• Phoenix-Gruppe (Weiße Gruppe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a 'white' Phoenix group, OEW participates in ongoing education and provides training on racism and anti-discrimination topics.
• Vida y Esperanza (Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational support, family assistance and psychological support for families in Cochabamba, Bolivia. OEW has been accompanying this project for 18 years, supporting approximately 100 school children and families.
• Casa do Sol (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolistic support for children and youth from favelas in Salvador de Bahia, including education and training, family counseling and support, and prevention and awareness work.
• Acción Ecológica (Ecuador)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtection of local populations in the Amazon, awareness-raising and lobbying against the negative consequences of exploitation and oil extraction in Quito, Ecuador.
• Oasis of Endless Hope Centre (Kenia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides street youth from age 9 with a home, schooling and vocational training, integration into the workforce, and empowerment for independent living in Ruiru, Kenya.
• Un techo en los Andes (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreatment and support for people with disabilities, homework assistance for children, and meaningful leisure activities in Huaraz, Peru.
• Krankenstation St. Monica (Uganda)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasic medical care for over 10,000 people in the rural area of Birongo, Uganda.
• Seite an Seite (Zambia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool education for children from disadvantaged families in Chipata, Zambia.
• Klimabündnis (Climate Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is a partner of Klimabündnis, supporting climate action initiatives.
• Climate Action Bündnis SüdtirolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Climate Action Alliance for South Tyrol.
• B*COOP - Genossenschaft BrixenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is a member of B*COOP, the Brixen cooperative.
• Stop Racism! AktionswochencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is the organizer of the Stop Racism! action weeks across South Tyrol, advocating for an anti-discrimination office in South Tyrol.
• MoveTheDate / Erdüberlastungstag AktionencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is the organizer of action weeks for MoveTheDate (Earth Overshoot Day), raising awareness about ecological overshoot.
• Repair Café Brixen und BozenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is the initiator of Repair Café initiatives in Brixen and Bolzen, promoting repair and reuse culture.
• HdS - Haus der SolidaritätminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization - House of Solidarity in Milland, Brixen.
• MahlZeit-KampagneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is a supporter of the MahlZeit campaign promoting sustainable food consumption.
• Netzwerk für Nachhaltigkeit (Future.bz.it)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the South Tyrol network for sustainability.
• Initiative für mehr DemokratieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the initiative for more democracy in South Tyrol.
• respect. Anti Gewalt Netzwerk EisacktalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the anti-violence network for the Eisacktal region.
• REX-Material und DingeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEW is an educational partner for REX materials and things, providing educational resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Oxfam Italia: Italian affiliate of Oxfam running international development partnerships, fair-trade campaigns, and youth education — directly comparable to OEW's Global South partner projects and Clean Clothes Campaign advocacy.
• Caritas Südtirol: The largest regional social-services umbrella in South Tyrol. Comparable on social support programs (vendor work integration, anti-poverty services) and education; far larger scale and broader mandate make it the dominant incumbent OEW operates alongside.
• INSP (International Network of Street Papers): Global network coordinating 100+ street papers including zebra. Direct peer as membership umbrella; comparable on street-paper quality standards, vendor support frameworks, and journalism partnerships.

Direct peers

• Mani Tese: Italian NGO promoting global justice, fair trade, and conscious consumption with educational programs in schools — directly overlapping OEW's advocacy, fair-fashion, and global learning portfolio.
• Fairtrade Italia: Italian fair-trade licensing organization promoting conscious consumption through retail and educational campaigns. Comparable mission to OEW's fair fashion, ECOTEX, and Bewusster Konsum streams.
• Hinz&Kunzt: Hamburg-based street newspaper and social project in the INSP network providing income opportunities for people in precarious situations. Comparable vendor economics, social-mission framing, and journalism-led model.
• CISV (Comitato Italiano per lo Sviluppo): Italian NGO focused on international solidarity, development education in schools, and intercultural exchange — substantially overlapping OEW Plus's curriculum and Auslandspraktika program.
• Augustin - Straßenzeitung: Austrian street newspaper published in Vienna with the same INSP-aligned social enterprise model — vendors in difficult life situations sell copies and keep half the revenue. Closest comparable to OEW's zebra. program given shared region, language, and editorial focus on social issues.
• Sales (Straßenzeitung): German street newspaper from Frankfurt offering the same vendor-economy model as zebra. Strong comparable on income generation for marginalized vendors, social-work accompaniment, and regional social-mission journalism.

Regional players

• Bildungshaus Kloster Neustift: Educational institution hosting OEW's Sommerwoche program and aligned with its global-learning curriculum. Regional peer in the South Tyrol education ecosystem where OEW delivers workshops.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/oew.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oew-organisation
• Instagraminstagram.com/oew_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

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 Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt