Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment

What Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment does

The Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment (SAWE) is a Geneva-based non-profit association founded in 2022. It advances women's empowerment and the UN Sustainable Development Goals through cultural diplomacy, combining photography, exhibitions, and AI-enabled digital tools. Its flagship initiative, "17 Faces of Action," is a global photographic project that pairs portraits of women leaders with the 17 SDGs; it has been exhibited in 10 countries, anchored by partnerships with the UN Office at Geneva and co-presented with institutions including the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at the Biennale of Venice 2024.

SAWE's product surface is built around three AI-related artifacts: the MISSION: AI + ART mobile application (launched at COP29), the Swiss Heidi AI avatar (unveiled at the Digital Safety Forum), and the Peter AI avatar. These tools extend the photographic project into interactive, digital, and conversational formats and have been showcased at multilateral forums including COP28, COP29, WSIS+20, and the AI for Good Summit. The technical posture appears application-level, with AI integrated into cultural and educational products rather than as a standalone research platform.

The business model is a grant- and partnership-funded non-profit: there is no disclosed pricing, earned revenue, or fee-for-service offering. Funding flows from institutional partners — UN agencies, sovereign foundations (Heydar Aliyev Foundation, IDEA Public Association), national women's unions (General Women's Union UAE, Seoul Foundation for Women and Family), and academic institutions (ETH Zurich, EPFL). The customer base is effectively a coalition of partners and beneficiaries (women leaders, children including those with disabilities, and the broader public reached through exhibitions and digital tools) rather than paying customers.

Name

Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment

Legal name

Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment

Website

https://aswe.swiss

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SAWE is a Geneva-based non-profit founded in 2022 that uses photography, exhibitions, and AI-driven digital tools (including the MISSION: AI + ART app and Swiss Heidi AI avatar) to advance women's empowerment and the UN SDGs across 10 host countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Impact & Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAGAF

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Human Rights, Democracy & Governance

SECONDARYBPADAAAA

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYEDALAGAB

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Disability Services & Accessibility

Keywords

• Women empowerment programs
• Sustainable development advocacy
• Cultural diplomacy projects
• AI educational tools
• Global art exhibitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Institutional Grants: Nonprofit funding from foundations and institutional backers including D10 Art Space and partnerships with government entities for project implementation.
2. Project Partnerships and Sponsorships: Collaboration with governments and international organizations to deliver exhibitions and programs such as 17 Faces of Action, funded through bilateral partnerships.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment (SAWE) is a Geneva-based nonprofit that advances women's empowerment and the UN Sustainable Development Goals through cultural programs, international exhibitions, and AI-powered educational tools. Its flagship offering is the "17 Faces of Action" global photo project, realized in 10 countries, alongside the MISSION: AI + ART application and companion AI avatars (Swiss Heidi AI, Peter AI) that make SDGs accessible through interactive dialogue.

Product overview

The Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment operates a portfolio centered on art, technology, and global dialogue for social change. Its primary products include MISSION: AI + ART (an interactive app assigning AI-animated avatars to each SDG), the companion avatars Swiss Heidi AI and Peter AI, and the 17 Faces of Action global photo project showcasing women across 17 countries representing all 17 SDGs. The offerings integrate AI technology with artistic expression to promote sustainability and women's empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MISSION: AI + ART: An innovative application that assigns unique AI-animated avatars to each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, making the global agenda more relatable and accessible.
• Swiss Heidi AI
• Peter AI
• 17 Faces of Action

Products and services

• MISSION: AI + ART An innovative AI application that assigns a unique animated avatar to each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, allowing users to explore the global agenda through conversational dialogue with each avatar. Targeted at global audiences seeking engaging, accessible SDG education.
• Swiss Heidi AI An educational and empowerment-focused AI avatar developed as part of the MISSION: AI + ART ecosystem, designed to illustrate how AI can serve society responsibly. Targeted at event audiences, youth, and global digital users engaging with SDGs and Swiss cultural identity.
• Peter AI A hand-painted and digitally animated AI avatar that introduces the association's mission and projects. Pairs with Heidi AI as part of the AI avatar ecosystem for SDG education and cultural dialogue.
• 17 Faces of Action A global photo project showcasing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals through portraits of women leaders across multiple countries. Each country exhibition features 17 women, each representing one SDG, realized in partnership with government ministries, museums, libraries, and art centers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 countries hosted 17 Faces of Action exhibitions
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core, flagship, founding and minor.

• Seoul Foundation for Women and FamilystrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2025 to advance women's digital empowerment and cross-cultural exchange between Switzerland and Korea.
• Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy ResearchstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Climates and Carpets exhibition at Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum during COP29, showcasing Ras Al Khaimah crafts.
• Heydar Aliyev FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership at Biennale of Venice 2024 for the 17 Faces of Action exhibition. The foundation hosted the PARTICIPATE! exhibition at Heydar Aliyev Centre during COP29 in Baku.
• IDEA Public AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Led by Leyla Aliyeva, collaborated on the PARTICIPATE! exhibition at COP29 in partnership with UNOG Geneva, blending art, technology, and climate action.
• Biennale of VeniceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202417 Faces of Action was represented at Biennale of Venice 2024 in partnership with Heydar Aliyev Foundation and IDEA Public Association, marking a major international cultural event presence.
• General Women's Union (UAE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership during COP28 UAE and continued collaboration. Welcomed delegation to Geneva office in July 2025, opening new avenues for partnership on gender equality, inclusive innovation, and cultural dialogue.
• D10 Art SpacefoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022D10 Art Space provided the backing to establish the Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment, serving as a founding partner for the organization's creation and early development.
• United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022UNOG provided backing for the association's creation and continues to collaborate on exhibitions and initiatives. The Director-General of UNOG, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, proposed replicating the 17 Faces of Action exhibition in 17 countries.
• World Women's ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAWE participated in World Women's Forum 2024 in Mongolia where the Mongolian chapter of 17 Faces of Action was unveiled at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum.
• Global Environment Facility (GEF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization featured on SAWE's website, indicating collaborative relationship.
• Metropolis CongressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAWE participated in the Digital Safety Forum held within the framework of Metropolis Congress in Seoul, September 2025.
• Azerbaijan National Carpet MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Climates and Carpets exhibition and AI + Art masterclasses as part of Azerbaijan–Switzerland Cultural Dialogue project.
• Ras Al Khaimah FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with SAWE and Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum to present Ras Al Khaimah crafts at the Climates and Carpets exhibition.
• Female Wave of ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAWE met with Dr. Nawal Tarazi, a board member of Female Wave of Change, opening avenues for future collaboration on women's empowerment.
• Polycom Girls FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcomed Ms. Jane Anyango, Founder of Polycom Girls Foundation, to Geneva office. She is the face of SDG 11 in Kenya at 17 Faces of Action exhibition.
• Rath Museum GenevafoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe original Art Exhibition 'Divers Egales Unies' was held at Rath Museum Geneva in collaboration with UNOG, Geneva Red Cross, and Ville de Geneve, which led to the creation of 17 Faces of Action.
• Geneva Red CrossfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the original 'Divers Egales Unies' exhibition at Rath Museum Geneva that inspired the 17 Faces of Action project.
• Ville de GenevefoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the original 'Divers Egales Unies' exhibition at Rath Museum Geneva that inspired the 17 Faces of Action project.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UN Women: UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is comparable to SAWE as the broad institutional incumbent in the same gender-equality and SDG-advancement space, with global mandate, country programs, and partnerships with national women's unions overlapping SAWE's primary mission.
• The Elders: The Elders is an independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela to promote peace, justice, and human rights. It compares to SAWE as a high-profile international diplomacy and women-leader convener with UN-aligned advocacy, though operating at a broader thematic scale.
• The Asia Foundation: The Asia Foundation is a development NGO operating across the Asia-Pacific in countries where SAWE runs chapters (Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan). It is a broad incumbent peer in international development, cultural exchange, and women's empowerment programming at country level.

Emerging players

• Sundance Institute: Sundance Institute is a nonprofit that supports independent storytelling and artists for social impact, including a Sundance International program. It compares to SAWE in blending art/cultural production with social-impact mission and curating artist-leader programming at international events like Biennale-adjacent venues.
• WomenLift Health: WomenLift Health is a global nonprofit advancing women in global health leadership. It is an emerging peer to SAWE in elevating women leaders across specific SDGs (notably health-related ones) through cohorts, conferences, and country-level chapters.

Direct peers

• Women for Women International: Women for Women International works with women survivors of war and conflict in countries including those where SAWE operates (e.g., Kenya). It is a directly comparable women's empowerment nonprofit operating in overlapping geographies, often partnering with the same UN system actors.
• Vital Voices Global Partnership: Vital Voices is a global nonprofit investing in women leaders across sectors and countries. It directly compares to SAWE's 17 Faces of Action in building a curated global network of women driving social impact, though Vital Voices operates at much larger scale.
• Women Deliver: Women Deliver is a leading global advocate for gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women. It directly parallels SAWE's SDG-anchored, multi-country women's empowerment positioning, convening major global forums (much like SAWE's COP/WSIS presence).
• Global Fund for Women: Global Fund for Women is a grantmaking foundation supporting women's rights organizations worldwide. It is a direct peer to SAWE in mobilizing resources for women-led, country-level SDG-aligned initiatives, with similar grant-funded nonprofit structure.

Others

• Heydar Aliyev Foundation: Heydar Aliyev Foundation is an Azerbaijan-based cultural and humanitarian foundation that partners with SAWE on 17 Faces of Action exhibitions and PARTICIPATE! at COP29. It is comparable as a sponsor/funder and cultural diplomacy channel rather than as a competitor, reflecting SAWE's reliance on national foundations for country-level delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aswe-association-of-swiss-women-and-empowerment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment