The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg

What The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg does

The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg (Blaues Kreuz BE-SO-FR) is a Swiss non-profit association (Verein) under Articles 60 ff. of the ZGB, formally incorporated on 10 June 2017 but tracing operational roots to the broader Blaues Kreuz movement that has been active in addiction prevention for nearly 150 years. The organization delivers three integrated service lines — Prevention + Health Promotion, Counseling + Therapy, and Integration + Enterprises — across 13 physical locations in the cantons of Bern, Solothurn, and Freiburg, supported by approximately 90 paid staff and 260 volunteers. Core offerings include free individual, couple, and family counseling; outpatient alcohol withdrawal; consumption-reduction programs; art therapy; self-help groups; online counseling via the federal SafeZone platform; the roundabout dance-based youth prevention program; and social-integration workplaces such as Blaukreuz-Brocki shops and alcohol-free restaurants (Azzurro, Perron bleu, Bistro kostbar). Ancillary revenue-generating operations include Treuhand accounting services, the iipacke contract-manufacturing line, handmade products (PETS, Fire King), catering, meeting room rental, and the Achseten vacation-home cooperative.

The underlying technology is not proprietary; the organization explicitly states "Not applicable - Social services organization" for core technology, and there are no AI modalities, APIs, or proprietary platforms beyond its participation in the federally operated SafeZone counseling infrastructure. The business model is hybrid: primary funding flows through cantonal performance agreements (Leistungsvereinbarungen) with the Gesundheits-, Sozial- und Integrationsdirektion des Kantons Bern and the Amt für soziale Sicherheit des Kantons Solothurn, supplemented by donations from private individuals and the Reformierte Kirche Bern-Jura-Solothurn, project grants from foundations and federal bodies (Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz, Bundesamt für Sozialversicherungen), membership fees (CHF 50/year regular, CHF 20/year students), and social enterprise revenue that subsidizes services not covered by government contracts. Pricing is essentially freemium for counseling (free for Canton Bern residents), unit-priced for courses (CHF 10-60), subscription-based for membership, and market-priced for social enterprise goods. Certifications (ZEWO, QuaTheDA) and a Lehrbetrieb apprenticeship-employer designation support eligibility for public-sector contracts and operational credibility.

Name

The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg

Legal name

Blaues Kreuz Bern - Solothurn – Freiburg

Website

https://besofr.blaueskreuz.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg is a Swiss non-profit association delivering addiction prevention, counseling, therapy, and social-integration services across cantons Bern, Solothurn, and Freiburg through 13 locations, serving individuals with addiction, their families, youth, and integration candidates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Counseling and Social Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Addiction counseling services
• Substance abuse prevention
• Social integration employment
• Outpatient addiction therapy
• Youth health promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Performance agreements with Gesundheits-, Sozial- und Integrationsdirektion des Kantons Bern and Amt für soziale Sicherheit des Kantons Solothurn. These contracts form the primary funding base for core addiction counseling and prevention services.
2. Donations and Contributions: Funding from private donors, foundations, and religious institutions (reformierte Kirche Bern-Jura-Solothurn). Regular donor communications with quadrennial updates on organizational activities.
3. Social Enterprise Revenue: Revenue from integration businesses including Brocki Shops (secondhand goods), restaurants (Azzurro, Perron bleu, Bistro kostbar), catering services, Treuhand services, manufacturing and packaging services (iipacke), and handcrafted products. Profits subsidize services not covered by government contracts.
4. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees of CHF 50 for regular members, CHF 20 for students/apprentices. Two membership categories: with abstinence commitment or without.
5. Project Grants: Project-based funding from foundations and institutions for specific programs such as roundabout dance prevention, workplace programs, and specialized counseling services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Blaues Kreuz Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg is a non-profit Fachorganisation für Suchtfragen delivering free addiction counseling and therapy, addiction prevention and youth health promotion (including the roundabout dance program with 1,600+ weekly participants), and social/professional integration services for people affected by addiction. Operations span 13 physical locations across cantons Bern, Solothurn, and Freiburg, supplemented by social enterprises (3 secondhand Brocki shops, 3 alcohol-free restaurants, iipacke manufacturing, Treuhand accounting) whose profits subsidize core services not covered by cantonal performance agreements.

Product overview

The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg is a specialized addiction support organization operating three main service areas: Prevention + Health Promotion (including roundabout dance program, be my angel tonight, Blue Cocktail Bar, and educational materials), Counseling + Therapy (individual/family counseling, art therapy, online counseling via SafeZone, self-help groups, relapse prevention, and consumption reduction programs), and Integration + Enterprises (work integration through BrockiShops, restaurants Azzurro/Bistro kostbar/Perron bleu, and social enterprises). The organization also operates retail businesses (Blaukreuz-Brockis) and produces handmade products (pet toys, firelighters, gift items) as integration employment. Additional services include meeting room rentals, catering, accounting/trust services, fulfillment, holiday homes, and the Wissensforum educational series. With approximately 90 employees and 260 volunteers at 13 locations, services span the cantons of Bern, Solothurn, and Freiburg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• atelier bk: Art therapy studio in Biel offering individual and group art therapy sessions for people affected by addiction and their relatives.
• Azzurro
• Perron bleu
• Bistro kostbar
• atelier BK
• Wissensforum
• iipacke
• PETS
• Fire King
• roundabout
• Blue Cocktail Bar
• be my angel tonight
• boyzaround
• AUSGEGLICHEN
• Blaukreuz-Brockis
• Blaubrügg Selbsthilfegruppen
• BE-United

Products and services

• Suchtprävention + Gesundheitsförderung (Prevention + Health Promotion) Division-level service focused on addiction prevention and health promotion addressing addiction questions, with emphasis on legal drugs, particularly alcohol. Includes educational programs, workshops, and prevention materials for schools and communities across cantons Bern, Solothurn, and Freiburg.
• Beratung + Therapie (Counseling + Therapy) Division-level service providing free, holistic alcohol and addiction counseling for affected individuals and family members at counseling centers in Bern, Biel, Langenthal, and Thun. Includes individual, couple, family, and group therapy as well as art therapy, outpatient alcohol withdrawal, online counseling via SafeZone, and self-help groups.
• Integration + Betriebe (Integration + Enterprises) Division-level service providing social and professional integration for people with alcohol or addiction problems to prevent relapse. Includes supervised work in Brocki secondhand shops, alcohol-free restaurants (Azzurro, Perron bleu, Bistro kostbar), iipacke manufacturing, and Treuhand accounting services.
• roundabout dance program Girl-specific health promotion and prevention program using dance (hip-hop) as a medium. Over 1,600 participants train weekly in Kids and Youth groups (ages 8-20) across Switzerland, promoting physical health, self-confidence, and social competencies. Evaluation by Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) confirms participants show more positive health behavior than comparable Swiss girls.
• Einzel-, Paar- und Familien-Beratung (Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling) Free individual, couple, and family counseling services for those personally affected by addiction and their family members, delivered at counseling centers across Bern, Solothurn, and Freiburg.
• Ambulanter Alkoholentzug (Outpatient Alcohol Withdrawal) Physician-supervised outpatient alcohol withdrawal program that allows patients to remain at home and continue working, with daily counseling sessions over five days.
• Konsum-Reduktionsprogramm (Consumption Reduction Program) Ten-step controlled drinking training program (individual and group) based on a scientifically validated method to help individuals reduce alcohol consumption.
• Emotions- und Stressregulation (Emotions and Stress Regulation Course) Group course (6 sessions for CHF 60) teaching skills for emotional awareness, mindfulness, stress management, and dealing with cravings for those affected by addiction and their relatives.
• S.T.A.R. Rückfallpräventions-Kurs (Relapse Prevention Course) Structured 6-session training program (CHF 30) for alcohol relapse prevention covering triggers, coping strategies, and aftercare, co-delivered with Berner Gesundheit in Thun.
• Kunsttherapie (Art Therapy) - atelier bk Art therapy services at Atelier bk in Biel offering individual (CHF 10 per 90 minutes) and group (CHF 10 per 120 minutes) therapy sessions using artistic media for those affected by addiction and their relatives.
• Online-Beratung Safezone (SafeZone Online Counseling) Free, confidential online counseling service delivered via the SafeZone.ch platform developed by the Federal Office of Public Health; responses provided within 3 working days by Blue Cross specialists.
• Blaubrügg Selbsthilfegruppen (Blaubrügg Self-Help Groups) Self-help groups for people with alcohol problems and their relatives offering experience exchange. In-person groups in Biel, Bern, Thun, and Adelboden; online self-help groups conducted in collaboration with Blaues Kreuz Germany for German-speaking persons.
• be my angel tonight Road safety project providing alcohol-free driver services at events to prevent drunk driving.
• Blue Cocktail Bar (mobile alcohol-free bar) Mobile alcohol-free cocktail bar service offered for corporate events, school festivals, sports events, weddings, and private celebrations across the Bern region.
• Blaukreuz-Brockis (Secondhand Shop Chain) Chain of secondhand goods shops (BrockiShops) located in Bern (Schwarztorstrasse 115A), Thun, and Derendingen-Solothurn; provides supervised employment and social integration opportunities for people recovering from addiction, and retails used household goods, clothing, and other items.
• Azzurro Bern (Restaurant and Meeting Point) Non-profit alcohol-free restaurant and meeting point in Bern (Lindenrain 5) offering affordable meals daily with evening service. Functions both as a social enterprise (providing integration employment) and a low-threshold community access point, and additionally rents out meeting and seminar rooms (CHF 15/hour meeting room, CHF 10/hour seminar room).
• Bistro kostbar Thun Alcohol-free bistro in Steffisburg/Thun (Bernstrasse 14) integrated with the Blaukreuz-Brocki Thun; provides coffee, beverages, and daily menus combined with supervised integration workplace.
• Perron bleu Biel Meeting point and integration workplace in Biel (Florastrasse 32) offering affordable meals and low-threshold employment opportunities for people in addiction recovery.
• Treuhand (Accounting and Trust Services) Financial and accounting services for external clients including bookkeeping, payroll, tax returns, and VAT handling; delivered through the organization's integration workplaces as a social enterprise.
• iipacke - Fertigen, Verpacken, Versenden (Manufacturing, Packaging, Shipping) Contract manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and shipping fulfillment service (iipacke) handling letter and advertising mailings, packaging, and shipping for external business clients through the Azzurro integration facility.
• Catering Service Catering service for private or company events offered across all restaurant locations (Azzurro, Perron bleu, Bistro kostbar).
• Sitzungszimmer mieten (Meeting Room Rental) Rental of meeting and seminar rooms at Azzurro Bern with capacity for 8-12 persons, equipped with multimedia and WiFi. Meeting room CHF 15/hour, seminar room CHF 10/hour.
• Handgemachte Produkte (Handmade Products - PETS and Fire King lines) Handmade sustainable products manufactured in the organization's integration facilities, including PETS brand snuffle mats (CHF 18-24) and play ropes (CHF 10-20), Fire King firelighters (CHF 6 per box of 12, with bulk discounts), gift bags (CHF 3-5), gift cards (CHF 5), and table decorations (CHF 28).
• Ferienhäuser Achseten (Achseten Holiday Houses) Holiday homes in Achseten near Adelboden operated by Genossenschaft Ferienheim Achseten, available for rental to the general public.
• Wissensforum (Knowledge Forum Lecture Series) Event series of workshops and lectures on psychology, health promotion, addiction, and life management held in Bern, Biel, and Thun; in operation for over 10 years.
• Fachstelle für Suchtprävention Bern und Solothurn (Addiction Prevention Office) Specialized addiction prevention office in Bern (Freiburgstrasse 115) serving schools, businesses, and communities across cantons Bern and Solothurn, providing workplace prevention programs, school workshops, and educational materials.
• Selbsttest Alkohol (Alcohol Self-Test - AUDIT) WHO-developed AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) screening instrument offered free to identify problematic or dangerous alcohol consumption.
• Mitbetroffenheitstest (Co-Dependency Self-Test) Self-assessment tool helping relatives and associates identify their level of co-dependency from living with someone with alcohol addiction.
• Ambulatorium Bern Emotions Regulation Course (Klinik Südhang partnership) Advanced emotions regulation course co-led by Blaues Kreuz counselors and Klinik Südhang psychologists, delivered at the Klinik Südhang Ambulatorium in Bern; costs covered through basic health insurance for Klinik Südhang patients (CHF 10 per session).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,600 girls and young women participate weekly in roundabout dance program, with evaluation showing more positive health behavior than peers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DeinAdieuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for online will and estate planning tools. DeinAdieu provides free digital tools (testament generator, patient decree, care directive) for supporters of the organization. Enables supporters to include Blaues Kreuz in estate planning.
• ensa (Erste-Hilfe für psychische Gesundheit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnsa is a first-aid program for mental health. Roundabout dance leaders receive training through ensa to provide early support to participants. Ensa trainers certify volunteer leaders in mental health first aid.
• Limita (Prävention sexueller Ausbeutung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLimita program provides guidelines for preventing sexual exploitation. Collaboratively developed a code of conduct with Blaues Kreuz to guide roundabout leaders in appropriate interactions with participants.
• Gesundheitsförderung SchweizcoreOthersFederal health promotion organization supporting roundabout dance network and training offerings at national level. Co-funding body for prevention programs.
• Kanton BerncoreOthersCantonal government supporting roundabout network and training offerings. Primary government contract holder for addiction services.
• Bundesamt für SozialversicherungencoreOthersFederal Office for Social Insurance supporting roundabout network at national level through funding programs.
• KirchenkonferenzminorOthersChurch conference supporting roundabout network at cantonal and national level, aligning with organization's Christian foundations.
• SafeZone.ch (Bundesamt für Gesundheit)coreOthersOnline counseling platform developed by Federal Office of Public Health in collaboration with addiction specialists and cantons. Blaues Kreuz provides counseling through this secure platform.
• Klinik Südhang Ambulatorium BerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint delivery of advanced emotions regulation course. Costs covered through basic health insurance for Klinik Südhang patients. Co-led by Blaues Kreuz counselors and Klinik Südhang psychologists.
• Berner GesundheitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint delivery of relapse prevention course S.T.A.R. in Thun. Berner Gesundheit provides co-leadership and venue. Both organizations serve Cantonal health mandates.
• Blaues Kreuz Schweiz (Zentralverband)coreOthersParent national organization. Blaues Kreuz BE-SO-FR is a member of the national association. Zentralverband supports innovation and quality assurance, provides shared branding (Blue Cross) and national policy advocacy.
• International Blue CrossminorOthersInternational federation of Blue Cross organizations. Supports international networking, best practice exchange, and global addiction prevention advocacy.
• SchweizertafelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss food bank providing surplus food for use in integration businesses and handcrafted products (ice tea, syrup). Supports food waste reduction efforts.
• Tierapotheke Dr. Noyer, Petite Fleur, Einladen UPD, Claro-Laden KerzersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partners selling handcrafted products from integration businesses. Pet toys and gift items distributed through these external locations.
• Blaues Kreuz DeutschlandminorOthersGerman Blue Cross organization hosting online self-help groups accessible to German-speaking Swiss members. Shared standards and guidelines for self-help group operations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sucht Schweiz (Addiction Switzerland): National non-profit foundation focused on alcohol and other substance use prevention, research, and policy in Switzerland. Directly comparable on addiction prevention mission, federal funding model, and the SafeZone online counseling platform partnership.
• Berner Gesundheit: Cantonal health organization serving Canton Bern with addiction counseling, prevention, and health promotion. Direct peer operating in same canton with overlapping services including the joint S.T.A.R. relapse prevention course delivery.
• Blaues Kreuz Zürich: Regional Blue Cross chapter serving Canton Zürich. Directly comparable on services, funding model, and brand; geographic peer in same Blue Cross federation covering Switzerland's largest urban canton.
• Blaues Kreuz Schweiz (Zentralverband): National umbrella federation and parent of Blaues Kreuz BE-SO-FR. Operates the shared Blue Cross brand, national policy advocacy, and quality assurance; directly comparable on mission, service categories, and certification (ZEWO/QuaTheDA).
• Croix-Bleue Vaud/Genève/Neuchâtel/Berner Jura: French-language sister Blue Cross organization covering western Swiss cantons. Same addiction prevention/counseling mission under shared Blue Cross brand; directly comparable on services, volunteer model, and integration enterprises.

Emerging players

• Pro Mente Sana: Swiss non-profit for mental health advocacy and support. Adjacent on the behavioral health continuum with overlap in counseling and self-help group models; differs in mental health focus rather than substance-specific mission.
• Arud Zentrum für Suchtmedizin: Zurich-based outpatient addiction medicine center with physician-led treatment, opioid substitution, and counseling. Comparable on outpatient addiction services but more clinical and Zürich-focused; less focus on volunteer-driven integration businesses.
• Forel Klinik: Swiss specialty clinic for alcohol and medication dependency with inpatient and outpatient programs. Comparable on addiction treatment mission but focused on residential care rather than community-based prevention/integration.

Regional players

• Caritas Bern: Regional non-profit for social services and integration in Canton Bern. Comparable on social enterprise model (secondhand shops, integration employment), volunteer base, and cantonal contract funding, but broader social mission beyond addiction.

Others

• Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz: Federal foundation funded by cantons and the federal government for nationwide health promotion. Acts as a co-funder of the organization's roundabout program and a key ecosystem partner; comparable on prevention mission and government funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blaueskreuzbern
• Facebookfacebook.com/Blaueskreuzbesofr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Blue Cross Bern-Solothurn-Freiburg