Entraide Protestante Suisse

What Entraide Protestante Suisse does

Entraide Protestante Suisse (EPER), operating under the bilingual brand HEKS/EPER, is a Swiss Protestant humanitarian aid and development organization founded in 1946 and headquartered in Lausanne (Romandie) and Zurich (German-speaking Switzerland). It employs 251-500 staff and operates programs in over 30 countries across Africa (10+), Asia (7+), Europe (11), Latin America (5+), and the Middle East. Its portfolio comprises emergency humanitarian aid, long-term development programs, church cooperation initiatives, and domestic Swiss services including language courses, legal advice, interpreting services, and assisted living.

The organization runs thematic priority programs in Climate Justice, Right to Land and Food, Flight and Migration, and Inclusion. Project delivery occurs through country coordination offices (e.g., Bangladesh with 18 staff across Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi), local NGO partners (MA'AN Development Center, PWWSD, Skat Foundation, IOM), and church networks. EPER does not operate proprietary technology; its digital infrastructure consists of a multilingual website (heks.ch/eper.ch), donation platform with Twint integration, email newsletters, and standard social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

EPER's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations (CHF 80/150/250 preset amounts plus custom, tax-deductible under CHE-111.751.619), corporate partnerships, grants from foundations and public authorities (notably SDC/DDC, EU, Fedevaco, Kerk in Actie), channel partner Swiss Solidarity, and legacy/bequest gifts. Distribution and fundraising leverage Protestant church parish networks, emergency appeals, social media storytelling, and earned media partnerships. Governance includes ZEWO certification, ACT Alliance membership, and oversight by the Swiss Federal Data Protection Commissioner. Its 2023-27 strategy focuses on consolidation, prioritization, and organizational transition.

Name

Entraide Protestante Suisse

Legal name

Entraide Protestante Suisse

Website

https://eper.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Entraide Protestante Suisse (EPER/HEKS) is a Swiss Protestant humanitarian aid and development organization founded in 1946, delivering emergency response, long-term development, church cooperation, and refugee integration services across 30+ countries and within Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid
• Development cooperation
• Refugee support
• Church cooperation
• Migrant integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website donation forms, with preset amounts (CHF 80, 150, 250) or custom values. Donations can be made one-time or regularly. Donations are tax-deductible in Switzerland.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Businesses can support EPER as corporate partners through various engagement models including financial contributions and employee matching programs.
3. Foundations and Public Authorities: EPER receives funding from foundations and public institutions including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC/DDC), the European Union, and various cantonal and communal authorities.
4. Legacies and Bequests: EPER accepts legacy gifts and bequests from supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Entraide Protestante Suisse (EPER/HEKS) is a Swiss Protestant humanitarian aid and development organization founded in 1946. It delivers emergency humanitarian aid (food, shelter, cash, psychosocial support), long-term development programs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and social services in Switzerland including language courses, legal advice for refugees, and interpreting services. The organization operates through church partnerships, local NGO partners, and country coordination offices in 30+ countries.

Product overview

EPER (Entraide Protestante Suisse) / HEKS is a Swiss Protestant humanitarian aid and development organization founded in 1946. The organization operates as a federation of programs rather than a unified software product. Its portfolio consists of humanitarian emergency response, development programs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, church cooperation initiatives, and social services in Switzerland including language courses, legal advice, interpreting services, and integration support. The organization's thematic priorities include climate justice, the right to land and food, flight and migration, and social inclusion. Programs are implemented through partnerships with local organizations, churches, and international agencies rather than through a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Open Forum: Program aimed at strengthening civil society organizations in Israel/Palestine that work nonviolently for peace and justice
• TransformAction Lab
• Interpreting Services
• HEKS/EPER

Products and services

• Humanitarian Aid Programs Emergency aid response to crises including earthquakes, conflicts, and displacement. Provides food, shelter materials, cash assistance, psychosocial support, and agricultural inputs to affected populations worldwide.
• Africa Development Programs Development programs across 10 African countries including Cameroon, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Uganda focusing on rural communities' access to land, food security, agroecological practices, market access, and climate resilience.
• Latin America & Caribbean Programs Development programs in Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, and Venezuela addressing rural development, food security, human rights, and support for displaced populations.
• Asia Programs Programs in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Syria addressing climate justice, land rights, refugee support, and peaceful coexistence.
• Europe Programs Social inclusion and humanitarian programs in 11 European countries including Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, and Eastern Europe, focusing on Roma inclusion, refugee support, and church partnerships.
• Church Cooperation Partnership programs with churches across Switzerland and Europe to support marginalized populations, refugees, and vulnerable communities through diaconal work and parish exchanges.
• Language Courses (Cours de langue) Language instruction services supporting migrant integration and social participation in Swiss communities.
• Legal Advice Services (Conseils juridiques) Legal counsel and representation for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants navigating Swiss legal systems.
• Interpreting Services (Services d'interprétation) Professional interpreting services facilitating communication for migrants in healthcare, legal, and social service contexts.
• TransformAction Lab Innovation and transformation program supporting social change initiatives and organizational development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple millions of beneficiaries annually across global operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brot für die Welt (Pain pour le Monde)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Joint funding partnership with Brot für die Welt for the journalist training project in Armenia. Both organizations co-finance development and humanitarian projects globally.
• ACT AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPER is a member of ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and church-related organizations engaged in humanitarian and development work. This provides EPER with access to a global network, coordinated emergency response capacity, and collective advocacy voice.
• ZEWO FoundationcoreOthersZEWO certification confirms that EPER meets Swiss standards for responsible handling of donations, including transparency, control, and purposeful use of funds. Donations to ZEWO-certified organizations are tax-deductible in Switzerland.
• Swiss Federal Data Protection and Transparency Commissioner (PFPDT)minorOthersEPER is subject to oversight by the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Transparency Commissioner as required by Swiss data protection law.
• Media Initiatives Center (MIC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for journalist training and media development project in Armenia. MIC directly implements training programs, develops educational materials, and organizes conferences.
• MA'AN Development CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKey implementation partner in Gaza for shelter materials distribution, agricultural support, and humanitarian aid projects. MA'AN selects beneficiaries and distributes aid in coordination with EPER.
• Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for women's empowerment projects in the West Bank, providing psychosocial support, legal advice, and income-generating opportunities for women affected by conflict.
• Skat FoundationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical partner specializing in humanitarian construction projects. Skat Foundation develops concepts for improving refugee shelters using available materials, particularly in Gaza context.
• Akevot Institute for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict ResearchcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch partner for archival project examining Israeli government positions on the two-state solution. Conducts archival research and interviews with former policymakers.
• Emek ShavehcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization working on cultural heritage protection in Israel/Palestine. Conducts research, advocacy, and legal work to protect Palestinian cultural heritage and land rights.
• ZochrotcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIsraeli non-profit organization working on Nakba awareness and Palestinian refugee right of return. Implements educational programs, public events, and advocacy in Israeli society.
• Station JcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJerusalem-based organization supporting young Palestinian entrepreneurs. Provides business training, mentorship, and funding for startups in East Jerusalem's tech ecosystem.
• Sidreh (Raya Bedouin Women's Cooperative)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner supporting Bedouin women in the Negev. Implements agricultural cooperatives, thyme cultivation, honey production, and crafts commercialization under the 'Raya' brand.
• Palestinian Housing Council (PHC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for shelter repair projects in Gaza. Provides technical engineering assessments, repair planning, and construction oversight for damaged buildings.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Rohingya refugee support in Bangladesh camps. IOM provides operational support and coordination for shelter improvement and infrastructure projects.
• Swiss Embassy in BangladeshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Swiss diplomatic mission in Bangladesh for country program coordination and visibility.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for development programs in Bangladesh. EPER collaborates with UN agencies on shared development goals and advocacy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Vision Switzerland: Swiss branch of a global humanitarian organization with extensive overseas humanitarian, development, and child-sponsorship programs; broader scope than EPER but comparable Swiss fundraising model.

Direct peers

• Swissaid: Swiss development cooperation foundation focused on poverty reduction in partner countries; comparable as a ZEWO-certified Swiss charity dependent on individual donations and SDC funding.
• Caritas Switzerland: Swiss Catholic humanitarian and development organization with comparable scope across humanitarian aid, refugee services in Switzerland, and international development programs; operates as EPER's most direct faith-based Swiss peer.
• Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation: Swiss development cooperation organization focused on poverty reduction, governance, and economic development across multiple continents; comparable as a Swiss-domiciled, SDC-funded implementer of overseas development programs.
• Médecins Sans Frontières Switzerland: Swiss section of MSF delivering medical humanitarian aid in conflict zones; comparable as a Swiss-domiciliated humanitarian NGO reliant on individual donations and emergency appeals.
• Brot für alle / Pain pour le Monde: Swiss Protestant development organization co-financed through church fundraising campaigns; already a direct co-funding partner of EPER and operates with the same Swiss Protestant constituency.
• Swiss Red Cross: Major Swiss humanitarian organization delivering emergency aid, refugee integration services, and international development programs, competing for the same Swiss donor base and government partnerships as EPER.
• Save the Children Switzerland: Swiss affiliate of an international child-rights NGO delivering humanitarian aid and development programs; competes for similar Swiss institutional and individual donor support.
• Terre des Hommes Switzerland: Swiss child-focused humanitarian NGO delivering development and emergency aid programs internationally, with similar Swiss government funding dependencies and donor-base profile.

Emerging players

• Solidar Suisse: Swiss development and advocacy organization supporting social movements in developing countries; comparable as a smaller Swiss NGO focused on structural development work with similar advocacy orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/eper.suisse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heks-eper-headquarter
• Instagraminstagram.com/eper__heks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Entraide Protestante Suisse