DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH

What DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH does

DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH is a wholly-owned, nonprofit limited liability subsidiary (gemeinnützige GmbH) of the DRK Landesverband Berliner Rotes Kreuz e.V., the Berlin state association of the German Red Cross and a recognized peak association of free welfare organizations and National Relief Society under the Geneva Conventions mandate. Operating within an eight-district-association structure and supported by more than 2,000 trained volunteers, the organization delivers emergency medical services, disaster protection (Katastrophenschutz), rescue training, senior care, social welfare, migration and integration counseling, water rescue, blood donation coordination, and event-medical coverage for the population of Berlin and adjacent Brandenburg.

The underlying operational infrastructure comprises a state-recognized rescue service school (Landesrettungsdienstschule) producing credentialed Notfallsanitäter and Rettungssanitäter, dedicated senior living facilities (Seniorenzentrum Marie and Villa Albrecht), a vocational school for social professions (DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe), the vocational training institute Rotkreuz-Institut Berufsbildungswerk, and mobile outreach units such as the Wärmebus for homeless populations. Service delivery is decentralized through the eight Kreisverbände and supported by sub-brands including Jugendrotkreuz (youth), Wasserwacht (water rescue), and DRK-Blutspendedienst (blood donation). Technology footprint is conventional nonprofit infrastructure with no proprietary software platform, app, API, or disclosed AI capabilities.

The business model combines four revenue streams: recurring membership dues from supporting members, public donations, unit-priced course and training fees (€300–€549 for rescue service and intensive care transport programs), and government or public-sector funding for welfare services. Distribution is primarily direct-to-beneficiary through physical service centers, training academies, and event-based deployment. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on volunteer engagement, member recruitment, donations, and inter-agency coordination via the Wir Helfen Berlin alliance (founded 2020 with ASB, Johanniter, Malteser, and DLRG). Pricing is publicly disclosed for educational offerings and is unit-based per teaching unit, with billings issued on a one-time basis per course.

Name

DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH

Legal name

DRK Landesverband Berliner Rotes Kreuz e.V.

Website

https://drk-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH is a nonprofit subsidiary of Berlin's German Red Cross state association, delivering emergency medical services, disaster relief, senior care, social welfare, rescue training, and migration support to Berlin residents through eight district associations and over 2,000 trained volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Ambulance Services (621910), Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH), Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG), Emergency Response, Assistance & Medical Evacuation Services (THACAEAC), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF)

Keywords

• Humanitarian social services
• Emergency medical services
• Disaster relief coordination
• First aid training
• Senior care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Supporting members pay dues that fund activities across eight Berlin district associations, used to train and equip over 2,000 volunteers
2. Donations: Public donations are used where help is needed most
3. Course and training fees: Fees charged for first aid courses, rescue service training, and other educational programs
4. Social services funding: Government and public funding for welfare services including disaster relief, refugee support, and social assistance programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH provides humanitarian and social welfare services across Berlin, including ambulance and rescue services, disaster protection, first aid and rescue training, senior care and home nursing, meals on wheels, senior living facilities, disability services, water rescue, blood donation, migration and integration counseling, welfare and social work programs, and voluntary service programs. The company operates as the nonprofit subsidiary of the Berlin state association of the German Red Cross, delivering these services through eight district associations and a network of more than 2,000 trained volunteers.

Product overview

DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH ist Teil des Landesverbands Berliner Rotes Kreuz e.V., einem Spitzenverband der freien Wohlfahrtspflege und der Nationalen Hilfsgesellschaft. Die Organisation bietet ein breites Spektrum sozialer Dienstleistungen für Berlin, organisiert in acht Kreisverbände mit über 2.000 ehrenamtlich Mitarbeitenden. Das Kernangebot umfasst Rettungsdienst und Katastrophenschutz (Landesrettungsdienstschule, Notfallsanitäter-Ausbildung), Erste-Hilfe-Kurse, sowie soziale Dienste wie ambulante Pflege, Seniorenzentren (Marie, Villa Albrecht), Essen auf Rädern und Behindertenhilfe. Hinzu kommen ehrenamtliche Gemeinschaften für Wohlfahrts- und Sozialarbeit, Wasserwacht mit Wasserrettung und Schwimmkursen, sowie Angebote für Migration und Integration. Die Organisation gliedert sich in spezialisierte Bildungs-, Betreuungs- und Notfalldienste, die sowohl für Privatpersonen als auch für Institutionen und Unternehmen zugänglich sind.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jugendrotkreuz (JRK): Youth Red Cross - the recognized and independent youth organization of the German Red Cross in Berlin
• Wasserwacht
• Landesrettungsdienstschule
• DRK-Blutspendedienst
• DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe Berlin

Products and services

• Rescue Service (Rettungsdienst) Emergency medical services and patient transport delivered by full-time and volunteer personnel trained through the State Rescue Service School (Landesrettungsdienstschule), serving the public across Berlin.
• First Aid Courses (Erste-Hilfe-Kurse) Diverse first aid training programs for private individuals, businesses, and professionals, including courses for seniors, athletes, and company first aiders (Betriebssanitäter).
• State Rescue Service School (Landesrettungsdienstschule) State-recognized training facility for paramedics (Rettungssanitäter), emergency medical technicians (Notfallsanitäter), and continuing rescue service education, located in Berlin-Friedenau.
• Home Care (Ambulante Pflege) Professional nursing services for individuals who wish to be cared for at home in Berlin.
• Meals on Wheels (Essen auf Rädern) Delivery service of hot meals and lunches to seniors and people in need across Berlin.
• Senior Center Marie (Seniorenzentrum Marie) Age-appropriate housing and care services for seniors in Berlin.
• Senior Center Villa Albrecht (Seniorenzentrum Villa Albrecht) Residential and care facility for older people in Berlin with prospective tenant service.
• Welfare and Social Work (Wohlfahrts- und Sozialarbeit) Volunteer-led community programs covering children and youth work, senior companionship, migration and integration work, and assistance for people experiencing homelessness in Berlin.
• Water Rescue Service (Wasserwacht) Water rescue services including rescue swimmers, rescue divers, and motorized rescue boats, supplemented by swimming courses and event services on water.
• Clothing Distribution and Existence Security (Kleiderausgabe und Existenzsicherung) Support for people in need with clothing, food, and debt counseling services in Berlin.
• Disaster Protection (Katastrophenschutz) Protection and preparedness for disasters, including rapid response groups (Schnelleinsatzgruppen), care service, and CBRN service capabilities in Berlin.
• Blood Donation (Blutspende) Organization and execution of blood donation drives in Berlin, operated in coordination with the DRK Blood Donation Service Nordost.
• Tracing Service (Suchdienst) Tracing of missing persons and family reunification after disasters and conflicts.
• Event Medical Services (Sanitätsdienst bei Veranstaltungen) Trained-personnel medical coverage of events in Berlin, including large public festivals and sporting events such as Lollapalooza and the Special Olympics.
• Migration and Integration (Migration und Integration) Migration counseling for adult immigrants (MBE) and migration social services (MSD) with online registration for clients in Berlin.
• Warm Bus (Wärmebus) Mobile supply of hot drinks and assistance to people experiencing homelessness in Berlin, operating seasonally from October to March.
• Children, Youth and Family (Kinder, Jugend und Familie) Family education, youth work, and Youth Red Cross (Jugendrotkreuz/JRK) programs for young people in Berlin.
• Disability Services (Behindertenhilfe) Participation assistance, mobility service, and leisure activities for people with disabilities in Berlin.
• Water Rescue Swimming Courses (Schwimmkurse der Wasserwacht Berlin) Swimming and rescue swimming instruction for children and adults, delivered by the Wasserwacht Berlin water rescue service.
• Voluntary Services (Freiwilligendienste FSJ/BFD) Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (voluntary social year) and Bundesfreiwilligendienst (federal voluntary service) programs for young people in Berlin.
• Student Exchange with Full Scholarship (Schüleraustausch mit Vollstipendium) International student exchange program with DRK full scholarships for Berlin youth under the "Bildung ohne Grenzen" model project.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides emergency shelter and care for thousands of Berliners during emergencies such as bomb defusals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wir Helfen Berlin AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Coalition of ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), DRK, Johanniter, Malteser, and DLRG. Since 2020, these organizations pool resources during special challenges, operating with thousands of volunteers. Jointly strengthen Berlin's emergency response capacity.
• DRK-Blutspendedienst (Blood Donation Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegrated blood donation services under the DRK blood donation section, coordinated at national level
• DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRK School for Social Professions Berlin provides educational programs for social workers, educators, and healthcare professionals
• Rotkreuz-Institut BerufsbildungswerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training institute providing career education programs
• Kinderschutzbund (Child Protection Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal contact point for child protection matters, cooperation on child welfare protection
• Jugendrotkreuz (Youth Red Cross) BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization of DRK Berlin, operating independently with its own prevention structures and protection concept

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz (BRK): Largest German Red Cross state association by scale, operating the same integrated EMS, rescue, training, and welfare model as DRK Berlin but in Bavaria; useful benchmark for service breadth, revenue scale, and operating model maturity within the same national Red Cross framework.

Direct peers

• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (JUH) Berlin/Brandenburg: Regional Johanniter association delivering rescue services, ambulance transport, training, and social welfare in Berlin; co-member of the 'Wir Helfen Berlin' alliance and operating a near-identical service portfolio.
• Malteser Berlin: Berlin branch of Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V., providing ambulatory care, rescue service, first-aid training, and migration services in the same market; also part of 'Wir Helfen Berlin'.
• Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) Berlin: Berlin state association of ASB, a fellow mandated welfare organization and direct coalition partner in 'Wir Helfen Berlin'. Provides identical EMS, social services, training, and disaster response offerings to the same Berlin population.
• Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG) Berlin: National water rescue and swimming training organization; alliance partner in 'Wir Helfen Berlin' with overlapping Wasserwacht-style offerings, lifeguard training, and event medical services.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Berlin-Brandenburg: Protestant welfare umbrella offering ambulante Pflege, senior living, disability services, and migration support across Berlin; a fellow Spitzenverband competing directly for government funding and contracts.
• Caritas Berlin: Confessional peak welfare association operating senior care, migration counseling, homelessness services, and family support in Berlin; competes for the same public welfare contracts, donor base, and volunteer pool.
• Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Berlin: Major secular welfare association offering senior care, family support, and youth programs across Berlin; competing peak welfare organization with significant overlap in social service categories.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Berlin: Umbrella organization for independent welfare providers in Berlin; coordinates a comparable portfolio of social services and represents many of the same member organizations competing for municipal contracts.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz e.V. (Federal Association): National umbrella and parent organization of the Berlin state association; sets nationwide standards for Red Cross EMS, training, welfare, and disaster response and is the logical comparison for portfolio breadth and brand value.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/drkberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drk-sozialwerk-berlin-ggmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/drk_berlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DRK Sozialwerk Berlin gGmbH