Eirene

What Eirene does

EIRENE Internationaler Christlicher Friedensdienst e.V. is a German ecumenical peace service organization headquartered in Neuwied, Germany, operating as a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) under German law since 1957. It delivers professional peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and development cooperation services across roughly nine countries — Germany, Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Bolivia, and Costa Rica — through a portfolio of programs in youth peace education, conflict-sensitive journalism, climate-adapted agriculture, refugee integration, and human rights support for exiled activists. Its service methodology relies on trained Friedensfachkräfte (peace specialists) and international volunteer exchanges via IJFD and weltwärts programs, deployed both directly (e.g., Bamako coordination office) and through an extensive network of local implementing partners such as CHIRO in Burundi, Maison de la Presse and AFJO in the Great Lakes region, ASV Action pour un Sahel Vert in Niger, and Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Más in Costa Rica.

The organization's underlying 'technology' is its peacebuilding methodology rather than software: mediation radio conferences broadcast on Burundian radio Isanganiro, forum theater for community behavioral change, agroforestry training for desertified land restoration, and youth peace committee structures that have mediated more than 500 conflicts per year. Eirene does not develop or operate proprietary technology platforms; no AI, APIs, or software products are present in the source material. Communication infrastructure is limited to a WordPress-based website, monthly Friedensbrief newsletter, Soundcloud/Spotify podcast, and social media channels for donor/volunteer engagement.

Eirene is funded almost entirely by institutional grants rather than commercial revenue. Primary funding flows from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via the Ziviler Friedensdienst consortium (one of nine member organizations), supplemented by Brot für die Welt project grants, Kultur- und Sozialstiftung der Provinzial Rheinland foundation support, and municipal co-funding from Stadt Neuwied and Land Rheinland-Pfalz, with private donations from individuals completing the mix. Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries; there is no pricing model. Governance is exercised by an elected board chaired by Martina Richard, with operational leadership recently transitioning in June 2026 to new Managing Director Guido Dost.

Name

Eirene

Legal name

EIRENE Internationaler Christlicher Friedensdienst e.V.

Website

https://eirene.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Eirene is a German ecumenical peace service non-profit (founded 1957, HQ Neuwied) that delivers peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and development programs across Africa and Latin America via trained peace specialists, international volunteers, and local partners, funded primarily by BMZ and church-development grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), International Affairs (9721), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs (BPADABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Post-Conflict Recovery, Reconciliation & Social Cohesion Programs (BPADAFAL), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Peacebuilding services
• Conflict resolution programs
• Civil peace service
• International volunteer exchange
• Refugee integration support

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuwied

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations from Private Individuals: Individual donors contribute to Eirene's peace work through online donations, special occasion donations, testamentary gifts, and project-specific funding. Eirene maintains transparency about fund usage.
2. Government Development Funding: Eirene receives funding from German federal ministries including BMZ (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) for Ziviler Friedensdienst (Civil Peace Service) programs and international volunteer services.
3. Brot für die Welt Funding: Evangelical development agency Brot für die Welt provides project funding, particularly for the FAIR (Fonds d'Appui aux Initiatives Rurales) project supporting income generation and social cohesion in Burundi.
4. State and Municipal Co-Funding: Local and state government bodies co-finance specific projects such as the 'Starke Nachbar*innen' integration project funded by Stadt Neuwied and Land Rheinland-Pfalz.
5. Foundation Support: Private foundations such as Kultur- und Sozialstiftung der Provinzial Rheinland provide project-specific grants for initiatives like refugee support services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eirene Internationaler Christlicher Friedensdienst e.V. is a German ecumenical peace organization that provides international peacebuilding and conflict transformation services through Germany's Civil Peace Service framework. The organization runs international volunteer exchange programs (IJFD and weltwärts), places professional Friedensfachkräfte (peace specialists) in conflict-affected regions, and implements country-specific peace projects in Africa (Burundi, Niger, Mali, DR Congo, Uganda, Burkina Faso) and Latin America (Bolivia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua), as well as refugee integration programs in Germany.

Product overview

Eirene Internationaler Christlicher Friedensdienst e.V. is a German ecumenical peace organization offering volunteer services (IJFD and weltwärts programs), professional peace service placements (Friedensfachkräfte through the Ziviler Friedensdienst), and managing international peacebuilding projects. The portfolio includes country-specific programs in Burundi (youth peace work via CHIRO, micro-project fund FAIR, women's media voices), Niger (climate-adapted agriculture), Germany (refugee integration through Starke Nachbar*innen), Bolivia (volunteer placements), and Central America (refugee support in Costa Rica). The organization operates communication channels including a monthly newsletter (Friedensbrief), podcast, and regional publications (Grands Lacs Bulletin).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freiwilligendienst im Ausland (IJFD & Weltwärts)

Quantifiable outcome

• 1736 people directly reached through climate agriculture project in Niger
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brot für die WeltcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Evangelical development agency providing funding for the FAIR (Fonds d'Appui aux Initiatives Rurales) project supporting income generation and social cohesion in Burundi through interfaith solidary funds for small business development.
• ASV Action pour un Sahel Vert HAREY BANEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Local NGO partner in Niger implementing climate-adapted agriculture and agroforestry project in Birni N'Konni region, working directly with farming families on sustainable land restoration.
• Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más (CNM+)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Human rights organization supporting Nicaraguan refugees in Costa Rica through documentation of violations, psychological support, asylum assistance, and international advocacy for human rights in Nicaragua.
• CHIRO (Burundischer Jugendverband)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Catholic youth organization, largest in Burundi, implementing youth peace committees (41 Friedenskomitees), peace education, and forum theater for non-violent conflict resolution and Batwa integration.
• Maison de la Presse Burundi (MPB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Press center developing conflict-sensitive journalism and mediation radio conferences training journalists in Burundi and DR Kongo for peaceful reporting.
• Association burundaise des Femmes Journalistes (AFJO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Association of women journalists promoting female voices in media, working on women's rights reporting and preventing gender-based violence through journalism.
• Caritas GitegaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic social service organization in Burundi participating in interfaith solidary fund project FAIR, helping families improve incomes across religious communities.
• Anglikanische Kirche GitegaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnglican church in Burundi involved in interfaith cooperation through FAIR project, promoting economic development and social cohesion across religious lines.
• Muslimischer Verband GitegaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuslim community organization in Burundi working with Christian communities in interfaith solidary fund project promoting economic self-help and dialogue.
• Diakonie NeuwiedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtestant social service organization in Germany cooperating on 'Starke Nachbar*innen' integration project supporting refugees in Neuwied region.
• Stadt NeuwiedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government co-funding and cooperating on integration project 'Starke Nachbar*innen' for refugees and peaceful coexistence in Neuwied.
• Konsortium Ziviler FriedensdienstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium of nine German peace and development organizations implementing the Civil Peace Service (ZFD) program, currently with 380 international peace workers in approximately 45 countries.
• Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden (AGDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization for German peace organizations of which Eirene is a member, advocating for peace policy and development cooperation funding.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• forumZFD: Leading German peace organization and fellow ZFD consortium member specializing in civilian conflict transformation, peace education, and mediation training across the Balkans, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East — directly comparable in peace methodology and Friedensfachkräfte deployment.
• Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden (AGDF): Umbrella organization of German peace services of which Eirene is a member. Both deploy Friedensfachkräfte through the Ziviler Friedensdienst and focus on nonviolent conflict transformation — Eirene as a member organization is directly comparable in service model and funding base.
• Friedensdorf International: German peace and development NGO based in Oberhausen that also places Friedensfachkräfte through the Ziviler Friedensdienst and runs international volunteer and peacebuilding programs in conflict-affected countries — directly comparable mission and ZFD consortium membership.

Broad incumbents

• Welthungerhilfe: One of Germany's largest development NGOs operating in food security, climate adaptation (similar to Eirene's Niger agroforestry program), and civil society strengthening across many of the same African geographies.
• Caritas international: German Catholic humanitarian and development aid organization. Eirene partners with Caritas Gitega in Burundi on the FAIR project; both work on interfaith cooperation, livelihoods, and humanitarian assistance in similar geographies.
• Brot für die Welt: Major German development and relief organization of the Protestant churches that funds Eirene's FAIR Burundi project. Comparable as a faith-rooted German INGO focused on poverty reduction, advocacy, and project funding across the Global South.
• Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe: Protestant humanitarian aid organization of which Diakonie Neuwied is a regional member cooperating with Eirene on Starke Nachbar*innen. Comparable in faith-based refugee support, disaster response, and integration services in Germany.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency implementing BMZ-funded programs worldwide, including in peace and conflict contexts. Overlaps with Eirene in many operating countries but operates at vastly larger scale as a state-owned entity.
• Ziviler Friedensdienst (ZFD) Consortium: Consortium of nine German peace organizations (including Eirene) funded by BMZ to deploy 380 peace workers in 45 countries. The consortium sets joint standards, lobbies for funding, and coordinates deployment — Eirene operates as a member within this collective.

Regional players

• Internationaler Bund (IB): Major German non-profit organization operating youth volunteer services (Freiwilligendienste), refugee integration, and social services in Germany — directly comparable to Eirene's IJFD/weltwärts volunteer programs and Starke Nachbar*innen integration work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EIRENE_eV
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPlcerKJTNnVbi1oYMgeh4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/eireneinternationaler.christlicherfriedensdienst
• Instagraminstagram.com/eirene_ev

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Eirene