RET International
RET International is a Geneva-headquartered NGO that implements education, protection, and livelihoods programs for vulnerable youth and women across 35 countries, funded by UN agencies, government donors, and foundations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RET International does
RET International is a Geneva-headquartered humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in 2000 by Sadako Ogata, the former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to address the gap in education and protection services for vulnerable youth and women in crisis, conflict, and fragile contexts. The organization delivers multi-sectoral programming spanning education, child and adult protection, livelihoods and economic empowerment, psychosocial support, health/WASH, disaster risk reduction, and peacebuilding, operating through a Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) triple nexus approach.
RET does not develop or sell proprietary technology products. Its "products" are programmatic initiatives (SAFE Belize, Komeza WIGE, NYIZERE NIGE, +DIVERSIDAD, COMPARTIMOS+, EstudiANDO, RECOM, Leap Natural Brands) delivered through 15+ direct country offices and a localization partner network (GATE Lebanon, LEAP Türkiye, ACPEJ DRC, SongES Niger, ALPHALOG/REFOR Mali). The organization has implemented 467 projects across 35 countries, reaching 2.5 million direct program participants over 25 years.
RET's business model is cost-reimbursement grant funding from institutional donors. Primary revenue streams are UN agency contracts (UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, IOM, WHO, OCHA), ECHO and government development agencies (BMZ, FCDO, BPRM, USAID), Education Cannot Wait pooled funds, plus private philanthropy routed through RET Americas (US 501(c)(3)) and RET Germany. Cumulative funding raised and channeled exceeds USD 250 million. The organization implements donor-funded projects either directly or via local partners, with no commercial pricing model — it sells nothing to its ultimate beneficiaries (refugees, IDPs, host community members), who receive services free of charge.
RET International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RET International
- Legal name
- RET International
- Website
- https://theret.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- RET International is a Geneva-headquartered NGO that implements education, protection, and livelihoods programs for vulnerable youth and women across 35 countries, funded by UN agencies, government donors, and foundations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RET International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Aid Services
- NAICS
- Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK), Post-Conflict Recovery, Reconciliation & Social Cohesion Programs (BPADAFAL), Early Recovery & Rapid Rehabilitation (Debris Removal, Repairs, Livelihood Restart) (BPADADAJ), Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs (BPADABAH)
Keywords
Where RET International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices12 records
Markets served
RET International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Institutional Donor Funding: Primary revenue stream from institutional donors including UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, IOM, WHO, OCHA), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), government development agencies (BMZ, FCDO, BPRM), and multilateral mechanisms like Education Cannot Wait. Over 22 years, RET has raised and channeled over USD 250 million from the international community.
- Private Philanthropy: Funding from private sector foundations, corporations, and individual donors. RET Americas raises funds from US, Canadian, and Central/South American private sources. The organization is registered as a 501(c)(3) in the US enabling tax-deductible donations.
- Program Implementation Fees: RET earns fees for implementing donor-funded projects as an implementing partner. Projects span multiple sectors including education, protection, livelihoods, health, and disaster risk management across 15+ country offices.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
RET International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RET International delivers multi-sectoral protection and education programs for vulnerable youth, women, refugees, and displaced populations in crisis and fragile contexts across 35+ countries. Under a Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) triple nexus approach, the organization implements education, protection, livelihoods, health/WASH, disaster risk reduction, and peacebuilding programs directly and through local civil society partners. Programs are funded by institutional donors including UN agencies, government development agencies, foundations, and private philanthropy, with over USD 250 million channeled to vulnerable communities over 22 years.
Product overview
RET International (Resilience, Empowerment, Transformation) is a humanitarian NGO founded in 2000 that provides multi-sectoral protection and education programs for vulnerable populations in crisis and conflict zones. The organization does not offer a traditional technology product but implements various programmatic initiatives including education programs (SAFE Belize, Komeza WIGE, NYIZERE NIGE, +DIVERSIDAD, COMPARTIMOS+, EstudiANDO), protection and social cohesion initiatives through local partners (LEAP in Türkiye, GATE Lebanon, ACPEJ in DRC), livelihood and economic empowerment programs (Leap Natural Brands), and climate resilience initiatives (RECOM). Programs are delivered through strategic partnerships with UN agencies, local organizations, and government bodies across 35+ countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LEAP Natural: A cooperative organization established with RET's assistance in Türkiye, promoting crafted natural products handmade by women and providing sustainable income generation.
- SAFE Belize
- Komeza WIGE
- EstudiANDO
Products and services
- SAFE Belize
Quantifiable outcome
- 2.5 million program participants directly impacted over 25 years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use RET International
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RET International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
RET International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- R4V Platform (Plataforma de Coordinación Interagencial para Refugiados y Migrantes de Venezuela)coreCo-led by UNHCR and IOM, R4V coordinates 200+ organizations across 17 countries. RET co-leads Education sector with UNHCR and participates in Protection Sector Groups (VBG, Child Protection, Support Spaces Working Group).
- Global Education ClustersupportingMember of Strategic Advisory Committee since 2017. Works toward predictable, equitable, well-coordinated education response in crises.
- RET Americas (RET USA, Inc.)coreIndependent 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington D.C. since 2005. Member of RET Alliance covering Latin America and Caribbean. Raises funding from US, Canadian, and regional sources. Draws on RET's institutional expertise.
- UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)coreLong-standing implementing partner. RET works with UNHCR to protect refugees, provide assistance, and support durable solutions. In Burundi, implements DAFI scholarship program. UNHCR coordinates R4V platform for Venezuelan refugees/migrants across 17 countries in Latin America and Caribbean.
- UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)coreImplementing partner providing child protection, education, and humanitarian assistance. Co-led Education Working Group with UNESCO in Ecuador. Supports programs across Latin America, Caribbean, and other regions.
- UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreImplementing partner for development programs and sustainable solutions in crisis and fragile contexts.
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)coreCo-leads Education Working Group alongside UNICEF in Ecuador as part of Working Group for Migrants and Refugees (GTRM). Partner on education in emergencies programming.
- UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)corePartner organization supporting reproductive health programs and protection services for women and youth in humanitarian contexts.
- IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreCo-leads R4V platform with UNHCR for Venezuelan refugee/migrant response. Supports migration management and assistance programs across Latin America and Caribbean.
- Education Cannot Wait (ECW)coreRET is member of Executive Committee, Educational Technical Task Team, and Civil Society Organizations Northern Group. Implements Multi-Year Resilience Programs in Ecuador, Peru, and other countries. First global fund dedicated to education in emergencies.
- WHO (World Health Organization)supportingPartner for health sector programming including reproductive health, psychosocial support, and health system strengthening in humanitarian contexts.
- OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)supportingUN humanitarian coordination body supporting disaster response and coordination mechanisms in crisis contexts.
- GATE LebanoncoreLocal implementing partner in Lebanon since 2013. Works on protection, food security, and nutrition projects for vulnerable women and youth. Manages Akkar project with RET Germany. Assists with municipal police equipment and civil defense coordination.
- LEAP Türkiye (Local Empowerment for Action & Performance)coreImplementing partner in Türkiye since 2014. Focuses on protection, social cohesion, language courses, and entrepreneurship programs. Operates Leap Natural Brands cooperative for women entrepreneurs. Manages projects across Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Ankara, and Samsun.
- ACPEJ (Actions des Ex-Combattants Pour l'Encadrement des Jeunes)coreLocal partner in eastern DRC. Deploys programs demobilizing child soldiers and providing rehabilitation. Helps ex-combatants find new paths through vocational training and community reintegration.
- SongES NigersupportingLocal partner building capacity of community-based organizations in Tillabéri region. Supports girls' education and women's empowerment programs.
- Global Refugee ForumsupportingRET participates in UNHCR's Global Refugee Forum, working primarily in education and durable solutions sectors.
- INEE (Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies)supportingSteering Committee member since 2001. Co-chaired with World Bank and IRC (2012-2016). RET instrumental in developing Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, launched in Geneva with UNESCO and UNHCR.
- Compact for Young People in Humanitarian ActionsupportingGlobal call to prioritize needs and rights of young people affected by disasters, conflict, and forced displacement. Includes governments, UN entities, NGOs, private sector, and youth organizations.
- ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies)supportingGlobal network of NGOs working to make humanitarian action more principled and effective. Founded 1962.
- GADRRRES (Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Educational Sector)supportingEnsures safety of children and adults in learning facilities. Created Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022-2030 used globally.
- ALPHALOG and REFOR MalisupportingLocal civil society organizations collaborating with RET in Mali. Government agencies and training centers also partner on vocational training and agricultural programs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RET International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps merges humanitarian response with longer-term development across fragile contexts — very similar to RET's triple-nexus approach and target population of crisis-affected youth and women. Comparable geographic footprint and donor base make it one of the closest functional peers.
- Relief International: Relief International is a mid-sized INGO providing multi-sectoral humanitarian and development programs in fragile states, often through local partnerships — closely matching RET's operating model, size tier, and country portfolio. The two are frequently shortlisted together on UN framework agreements.
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): The IRC delivers emergency relief, education, and protection programming for refugees and displaced populations across crisis-affected countries — closely comparable to RET's humanitarian-development-peace mandate and beneficiary base. RET has even co-chaired the INEE Steering Committee with the IRC and World Bank, evidencing deep peer overlap.
- Right To Play: Right To Play uses sport and play to protect and educate children in crisis and conflict settings — overlapping RET's youth empowerment and education-in-emergencies mandate in fragile states. Comparable UN-agency partnerships and education-sector positioning.
- War Child: War Child focuses on the protection, education, and psychosocial well-being of children affected by armed conflict — directly comparable to RET's youth-focused education and protection programs in conflict-affected countries like DRC, Mali, and Nigeria.
- Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): NRC delivers assistance, protection, and durable solutions for refugees and IDPs across displacement contexts — highly comparable to RET's protection, education, and livelihoods programming for displaced youth and families. Comparable institutional donor relationships and field operating model.
Emerging players
- Refugees International: Refuges International focuses on advocacy and field-based research for displaced populations — closely aligned with RET's refugee and IDP mandate, though operating primarily as an advocacy rather than direct-implementation organization, making it a partial-overlap peer.
Broad incumbents
- CARE International: CARE combines emergency response with women's empowerment and long-term development — overlapping RET's women-focused protection, livelihoods, and economic empowerment work in fragile contexts while operating at a meaningfully larger scale.
- World Vision International: World Vision delivers large-scale humanitarian assistance, child sponsorship, and education programming across fragile contexts — comparable to RET's child/youth-focused protection and education agenda, but at materially greater scale and with broader private donor reach.
- Save the Children: Save the Children is a far larger INGO operating a global portfolio of education, protection, and humanitarian response programs — serving overlapping populations (crisis-affected children and youth) but with materially deeper resources and brand recognition than RET.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RET International social profiles
Digital presenceRET International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
RET International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RET International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
RET International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
RET International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RET International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RET International
What does RET International do?
RET International delivers multi-sectoral protection and education programs for vulnerable youth, women, refugees, and displaced populations in crisis and fragile contexts across 35+ countries. Under a Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) triple nexus approach, the organization implements education, protection, livelihoods, health/WASH, disaster risk reduction, and peacebuilding programs directly and through local civil society partners. Programs are funded by institutional donors including UN agencies, government development agencies, foundations, and private philanthropy, with over USD 250 million channeled to vulnerable communities over 22 years.
Is RET International a public or private company?
RET International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was RET International founded?
RET International was founded in 2000. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is RET International based?
RET International is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does RET International make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Institutional Donor Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Philanthropy and program Implementation Fees.
Who are RET International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mercy Corps, Relief International, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Right To Play, War Child and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Refugees International is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are CARE International, World Vision International and Save the Children.
Does RET International have an API?
No public API is recorded for RET International.
What industry is RET International in?
RET International's product category is Humanitarian Aid Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAK, Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming, with a secondary code of BPAGAAAK, Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs. Its NAICS code is 624230 and its SIC code is 8300.