Der evangelische Fachverband für Teilhabe (BeB)

What Der evangelische Fachverband für Teilhabe (BeB) does

Der evangelische Fachverband für Teilhabe (BeB) is a Berlin-headquartered Protestant professional association (eingetragener Verein) operating within the Diakonie Deutschland network. Founded in 1886 and rebranded in 2022 to its current name, BeB represents 319 member organizations operating approximately 900 disability assistance and social psychiatry facilities that collectively serve more than 120,000 people with disabilities or mental illness and employ over 100,000 staff. It is one of five Fachverbände that together represent roughly 90% of German disability services, giving it substantial influence over federal policy on the Bundesteilhabegesetz and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The organization's core offerings fall into three categories: (1) publications, including the quarterly 'Orientierung' professional journal (5,000 copies), the 'Kerbe' social psychiatry journal (1,500 copies), the 'BeB Informationen' member magazine, the 'BeB Aktuell' monthly newsletter, and a book/brochure shop; (2) events and advocacy, including the Bundeskongress für Führungskräfte, the Rheinsberger Kongresse, 38 BeBinar online workshops, Politiktalk formats, working groups, and 27 political meetings with ministries and members of parliament; and (3) digital products, notably the 'Schau doch meine Hände an' mobile app for sign-language-supported communication developed with Die Zieglerschen and funded by Aktion Mensch. The mitMenschPreis award (since 2010), co-sponsored by Curacon GmbH, is the association's primary public recognition program.

BeB operates with a small office of approximately 11 staff and generates revenue through recurring membership dues from its 319 member organizations, publication sales via its online shop, and institutional support from Diakonie Deutschland and the Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung. It is governed by Chairman Pfarrer Frank Stefan (also Vorstandsvorsitzender of Diakonie Kork), Deputy Chairman Dr. Christian Geyer, and Managing Director Barbara Heuerding. The business model is community-led: growth depends on recruiting new member organizations, increasing engagement at conferences and workshops (3,500 participants across 23 events and 38 online workshops from September 2022 to September 2024), and expanding the association's political voice in German disability and healthcare policy debates.

Name

Der evangelische Fachverband für Teilhabe (BeB)

Legal name

Bundesverband evangelische Behindertenhilfe e.V.

Website

https://beb-ev.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BeB is a Berlin-based Protestant professional association within Diakonie Deutschland, representing 319 member organizations operating approximately 900 disability assistance and social psychiatry facilities that serve more than 120,000 people across Germany through advocacy, publications, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services Advocacy & Professional Association Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)

Keywords

• Disability services advocacy
• Social psychiatry association
• Professional association services
• Member-based nonprofit
• Inclusion policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: BeB generates revenue through membership fees from its 319 member organizations operating approximately 900 facilities and services for people with disabilities.
2. Publication sales: Revenue from selling books, brochures, and other publications through the BeB shop, including educational materials on participation rights and disability support.
3. Diakonie affiliation: As a member of the Diakonie Deutschland (Protestant welfare association), BeB receives institutional support and funding through the Evangelical Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BeB is the German Protestant professional association (Fachverband) for disability assistance and social psychiatry, representing 319 member organizations operating approximately 900 facilities and services that support more than 120,000 people with disabilities or mental illness. It delivers advocacy, political representation, member services, professional development conferences and workshops, specialized publications (Orientierung, Kerbe, BeB Informationen, BeB Aktuell), and the mitMenschPreis annual award. It also developed the "Schau doch meine Hände an" mobile app for sign-language-supported communication in collaboration with Die Zieglerschen.

Product overview

Der evangelische Fachverband für Teilhabe (BeB) ist ein evangelischer Bundesfachverband der Diakonie Deutschland mit Sitz in Berlin, der über 319 Rechtsträger mit ca. 900 Einrichtungen der Behindertenhilfe und Sozialpsychiatrie vertritt. Das Portfolio umfasst Fachzeitschriften (Orientierung, Kerbe), die Mitgliederzeitschrift BeB Informationen, den monatlichen Newsletter BeB Aktuell sowie Bücher und Broschüren (über den BeB Shop). Darüber hinaus betreibt der Verband das Auszeichnungsprogramm mitMenschPreis, ein breites Veranstaltungsprogramm mit Präsenz-Fachtagungen und digitalen Formaten (BeBinar, Politiktalk), sowie als digitale Produkte die App „Schau doch meine Hände an" für gebärdenunterstützte Kommunikation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Orientierung – Fachzeitschrift für Teilhabe (Professional Journal for Disability Assistance) Quarterly themed Fachzeitschrift (professional journal) for disability assistance, approximately 48 pages per issue with a print run of around 5,000 copies, edited in Schwäbisch Hall. Targeted at practitioners in member organizations and people with disabilities.
• Kerbe – Forum für soziale Psychiatrie (Social Psychiatry Journal) Quarterly Fachzeitschrift for social psychiatry, four issues per year of 48 pages each and a print run of about 1,500 copies, recognized as one of the few established social psychiatric professional journals in Germany, edited by 10 volunteer editors.
• BeB Informationen (Member Magazine) Semi-annual (June and December) member magazine covering association news, social policy developments, legal updates, event reports, and member facility highlights, distributed to member organizations via postal mail.
• BeB Aktuell (Monthly Electronic Newsletter) Monthly electronic newsletter sent at the end of each month, covering association news, partner events, social policy updates, training opportunities, and service information. Free subscription.
• Bücher & Broschüren (BeB Shop Publications) Books and brochures on participation, disability assistance, and social psychiatry — including the handbook on preparation for the Teilhabe-/Gesamtplanverfahren in easy and plain language and the "Mit-Bestimmen!" question collection — sold through the BeB Shop, with some titles offered free of charge.
• mitMenschPreis (Inclusion Award) Annual award (since 2010) recognizing projects and initiatives in Eingliederungshilfe and social psychiatry that enable self-determined participation for people with learning difficulties, psychological illness, or high support needs. Prize money (8,000 / 5,000 / 3,000 EUR) sponsored by Curacon GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
• BeB Veranstaltungsprogramm (Conferences, Workshops, Political Dialog) Program of specialist conferences (FTDM, IT/IV conferences, Bundeskongress für Führungskräfte, Rheinsberger Kongresse), online workshops (BeBinare), Politiktalk, and Fachforen for member networking, professional development, and political dialogue.
• Schau doch meine Hände an (Sign-Language Communication App) Mobile app for sign-language-supported communication for people with cognitive and linguistic impairments, combining German Sign Language (DGS) signs with Metacom symbols across more than 20 categories, with instructional videos, search function, integrated alphabet, and printable materials. Developed in collaboration with Die Zieglerschen and funded by Paulinenpflege and Aktion Mensch.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120,000 people with disabilities receive services through member organizations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Diakonie DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeB is a professional association within the Diakonie Deutschland (Protestant welfare association), cooperating closely especially with the Center for Health, Care, and Rehabilitation (GRP) in Berlin. This affiliation provides institutional support, shared mission alignment, and integration within Germany's largest Protestant social welfare network.
• Konferenz der Fachverbände für Menschen mit Behinderung (KFV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeB participates in the KFV, a coordinating body of German disability professional associations, regularly aligning positions on disability policy and engaging in joint advocacy efforts including the contact discussions on psychiatry.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Ausbildungsstätten für Heilerziehungspflege in Deutschland e.V. (BAG HEP)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint campaigns including #OhneFachkräfteKeineTeilhabe (Without skilled workers, no participation) action weeks, with 650+ organizations participating in 2026, raising awareness about the importance of skilled workers in disability assistance.
• Fachverbände für Menschen mit Behinderung (other four)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Fachverbände representing approximately 90% of disability services in Germany collaborate on policy positions, joint statements, and coordinated advocacy for disability rights and adequate funding.
• Curacon GmbH WirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaftmajorOthersPrize money sponsor for the mitMenschPreis award, providing prize money (8,000, 5,000, and 3,000 EUR for first, second, and third place) and supporting recognition of outstanding inclusion projects.
• Die ZieglerschenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with BeB on development of the 'Schau doch meine Hände an' app for sign-language-supported communication, contributing practical expertise and development resources.
• Fürst Donnersmarck-Stiftung (FDST)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Kreativwettbewerb 'Siehst Du mich?' (Do you see me?) creative competition celebrating the lives of people with disabilities or mental illness, held for the second time in 2025.
• Deutscher Evangelischer Verband für Altenarbeit und Pflege e.V. (DEVAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint survey on diversity and integration with member organizations, demonstrating inter-organizational cooperation on workforce and inclusion topics.
• Diakonie MichaelshovenminorOthersHost organization for the Fachtagung Dienstleistungsmanagement (FTDM) professional conference in 2025.
• Katholische Akademie / Hotel AquinominorOthersVenue for the BeB 2026 member assembly (Mitgliederversammlung).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Caritas Behindertenhilfe und Psychiatrie (CBP): The Catholic counterpart to BeB within Caritas Deutschland, representing Catholic-affiliated disability and social-psychiatry providers across Germany. Closely comparable as the confessional mirror organization advocating for member facilities on identical Bundesteilhabegesetz and CRPD issues.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Rehabilitation (BAR): Germany's joint federal working group of rehabilitation providers, payers, and social-insurance bodies. Comparable as a coordinating Fachverband in rehabilitation and participation policy, intersecting BeB's advocacy focus on Bundesteilhabegesetz implementation.
• Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe: One of Germany's largest disability self-advocacy and provider associations, with member organizations running workshops, housing, and family services. Directly comparable as a competing cross-confessional Fachverband serving people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
• Bundesverband für körper- und mehrfachbehinderte Menschen (bvkm): National advocacy association representing people with physical and multiple disabilities and their families in Germany. Comparable in mission and member-advocacy function, with overlapping policy positions on BTHG and CRPD.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Deutschland: The umbrella Evangelical welfare association under which BeB operates. Directly comparable as the federating body coordinating policy positions for BeB and similar Fachverbände, sharing members and strategic alignment.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband: Umbrella association for non-confessional social-welfare organizations in Germany, with substantial disability-services representation. Comparable as a competing umbrella body that offers similar advocacy and member services to BeB's facilities.
• Sozialverband VdK Deutschland: Large German social-advocacy association representing disabled, chronically ill, and elderly members. Comparable as a nationwide advocacy and member-services organization engaged in disability policy at the federal level.
• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private social-lottery funder for inclusion, supporting projects that promote participation of people with disabilities. Comparable as a system-level funder/policy advocate whose grant-making complements BeB's advocacy and member-services role.

Regional players

• Special Olympics Deutschland: German affiliate of Special Olympics International providing sports and inclusion programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in mission of promoting participation and self-determination of people with disabilities, though focused on sports programming rather than provider advocacy.

Emerging players

• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Ausbildungsstätten für Heilerziehungspflege (BAG HEP): German federation of Heilerziehungspflege (therapeutic care) training institutions that co-organizes the #OhneFachkräfteKeineTeilhabe campaign with BeB. Comparable as a partner Fachverband addressing skilled-worker shortages in disability services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bundesverbandevangelischeb7087
• Facebookfacebook.com/Bundesverband-evangelische-Behindertenhilfe-eV-100068390705704
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bundesverband-evangelische-behindertenhilfe-e-v-beb
• Instagraminstagram.com/beb_mitmensch
• TikToktiktok.com/@workwithheart_hep

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 Der evangelische Fachverband für Teilhabe (BeB)