E-CHANGER

What E-CHANGER does

E-CHANGER is a Swiss non-profit association headquartered in Lausanne that promotes food sovereignty and human rights in Latin America and West Africa through cooperation by exchange of persons, project support, networking, and sensitization of the Swiss public. Founded in 1959 (originally as Frères sans Frontières) and reorganized in 2017, it operates country programs in Brazil, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Switzerland, partnering with approximately 23 civil society organizations and reaching an estimated 200,000 beneficiaries annually. It does not develop proprietary technology; its core offerings are the coopér-acteurs/trices volunteer placement program, direct project financing for partner organizations, the ISANGO pre-departure training program (run jointly with EIRENE Suisse, DM-échange et mission and COMUNDO), and the Coopér-action annual review publication. Donation processing is handled via the RaiseNow platform.

Its business model rests on diversified funding streams: private donations (one-time and recurring, processed via RaiseNow), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DDC) co-financing covering up to 40% of eligible charges for the 2025-2028 institutional program, FEDERESO project financing for coopér-actor placements, grants from foundations and institutional donors, membership fees, and legacies and bequests. It holds the Zewo certification for transparent donation handling and a UNITE-certified institutional program. Operations are run by a lean paid secretariat of 5 staff (totaling 190% work time) supplemented by volunteer cantonal representatives across 6-7 Swiss cantons (Fribourg, Jura, Neuchâtel, Vaud, Geneva, Bern, Valais). Leadership consists of co-presidents Antoinette Romanens and Claude Desimoni, with Sergio Ferrari responsible for communication. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on sensitization campaigns, film festival partnerships (notably FIFF), press engagement, delegations and regional groups rather than commercial sales channels.

Notable absent data points that limit full diligence: total annual budget, fundraising cost ratio, programmatic KPIs, donor retention metrics, and detailed partner-level financial flows are not disclosed in the available input.

Name

E-CHANGER

Legal name

E-CHANGER

Website

https://e-changer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Swiss non-profit association headquartered in Lausanne that promotes food sovereignty and human rights in Latin America and West Africa by strengthening local civil society partners through volunteer placement (coopér-acteurs), project support, and networking, while sensitizing the Swiss public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development NGO Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA) (BPADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donor Coordination & Aid Effectiveness (BPADAOAA), Bilateral Development & Aid Agencies (HLAJAKAB)

Keywords

• International cooperation
• Volunteer exchange
• Food sovereignty programs
• Civil society support
• Human rights NGO

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Private individuals make donations to support the organization's activities. E-CHANGER receives one-time and regular donations, with transparent handling guaranteed by the Zewo label.
2. Institutional Funding - DDC Co-financing: The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DDC) provides co-financing of up to 40% of the eligible charges of the institutional program 2025-2028. This does not fund advocacy, information/education work in Switzerland, or fundraising activities.
3. FEDERESO Project Financing: FEDERESO (network of cantonal federations for international cooperation) finances specific projects, mainly the insertion of cooper-actors and support measures for partner organizations.
4. Institutional and Foundation Grants: E-CHANGER receives funding from institutional donors and foundations for specific initiatives and projects.
5. Membership Fees: Individuals can become members of the association to support its mission and participate in its governance.
6. Legacies and Bequests: The organization accepts legacy donations and bequests from individuals who wish to support its work beyond their lifetime.
7. Special Occasion Donations: Donations can be made in memory of deceased loved ones (in memoriam) or to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or jubilees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

E-CHANGER strengthens civil society organizations in Latin America (Brazil, Bolivia) and West Africa (Burkina Faso) through cooperation by exchange of persons (volunteer international placements), financial and technical project support, and networking. In Switzerland, it informs and sensitizes the public on international solidarity issues via awareness campaigns, events, film festivals, and regional groups.

Product overview

E-CHANGER is a Swiss international solidarity NGO (formerly Frères sans Frontières, FSF) that structures its work around three core programs: cooperation through person exchange (sending coopér-acteurs/trices), project support, and networking. The organization operates country-specific programs in Brazil, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Switzerland, focusing on food sovereignty and human rights. Additional offerings include the ISANGO training program developed with partner NGOs, the Coopér-action review publication, and various thematic projects like the Prix Visa Etranger at the Fribourg International Film Festival. The organization does not offer technology products or SaaS platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coopération par l'échange de personnes (Cooperation by exchange of persons)

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000 people per year see their living conditions improved
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ISANGO Training PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009E-CHANGER, EIRENE Suisse, DM-échange et mission, and COMUNDO jointly provide ISANGO training for international solidarity, local development, capacity strengthening, and empowerment. The formation is now autonomous and open to others interested in North-South cooperation issues.
• UNITEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNITE is the Swiss platform of NGOs for exchange of persons (voluntary international cooperation). E-CHANGER's institutional program 2017-2020 was approved by UNITE, which guarantees quality standards for cooperation programs.
• Alliance SudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance Sud is the community of work of Swiss aid organizations (Swissaid/Action de Carême/Pain pour le prochain/Helvetas/Caritas/Eper). E-CHANGER maintains privileged relations with Alliance Sud.
• Festival International du Film de Fribourg (FIFF)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerE-CHANGER and Fribourg-Solidaire strengthen their support to FIFF through innovative initiatives including the Prix Visa Etranger and Prix du Jury des jeunes - Filmar en America Latina.
• Centro de Agricultura Alternativa Vicente Nica (CAV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAV was founded in 1994 in response to eucalyptus monoculture expansion in Brazil's Jequitinhonha Valley. It provides technical expertise to peasant families in Cerrado, focusing on water access, agroecology, solidarity economy, and women's empowerment.
• Initiative pour des Multinationales ResponsablesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerE-CHANGER supports and promotes the Responsible Multinationals Initiative aimed at stopping human rights violations and environmental damage committed by multinationals domiciled in Switzerland.
• Marcha Mundial das Mujeres (MMM) - Brazil ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Global Women's March in Brazil plays a decisive role in organizing women and defending their rights. E-CHANGER supports their feminist and agroecological practices.
• Movimento Sem Terra (MST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Landless Workers' Movement is one of the largest social movements in Latin America. E-CHANGER supports their struggle for agrarian reform and food sovereignty in Brazil.
• Le Balai CitoyencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizen movement in Burkina Faso for social and political change. E-CHANGER supports their mobilization and citizen participation initiatives.
• SindomesticocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion of domestic workers in Bahia state, Brazil, fighting for their rights. E-CHANGER supports their fight against violence towards women domestic workers.
• ITEI (Institut de Thérapie et d'Investigation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBolivian association fighting against torture and state violence. E-CHANGER supports their work with victims and persons deprived of liberty.
• ARFAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization in Burkina Faso maintaining and promoting a healthy environment through agroecology.
• CNABio (Conseil National pour l'Agriculture Biologique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of actors in agroecology and organic agriculture in Burkina Faso. E-CHANGER supports their work in promoting organic farming practices.
• CEFISEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for Education and Training for Deaf and Hearing People in Burkina Faso. Since 1988, CEFISE has worked for the well-being of people with disabilities, particularly hearing-impaired individuals.
• Association BaobabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation active in environmental protection, women's financial empowerment, and literacy in Burkina Faso.
• BioProtectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial and solidarity enterprise in Burkina Faso active in the production of bio-inputs and promotion of agroecology.
• Association La SaisonnièrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation active in the promotion and production of organic food in Ouagadougou and surrounding areas.
• ABAPEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Burkina Faso working on human rights.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Alliance Sud: Umbrella organization of the six largest Swiss development NGOs (Swissaid, Caritas, Helvetas, Action de Carême, Pain pour le prochain, Eper). E-CHANGER maintains privileged relations with Alliance Sud, which serves as a policy and coordination ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• DM-échange et mission: Swiss NGO doing person-exchange for international cooperation. Co-develops the ISANGO training with E-CHANGER and EIRENE Suisse, sharing target audiences, funding pathways, and operating model.
• Swissaid: Swiss development NGO working on food sovereignty and rights in partner countries, Alliance Sud member. Highly comparable thematic focus (food sovereignty) and country portfolio overlap (Latin America, West Africa).
• Pain pour le prochain: Swiss Protestant development NGO co-funding partner projects in Africa and Latin America, Alliance Sud member. Comparable on DDC co-financing structure, Zewo certification, and partner-organization support model.
• EIRENE Suisse: Swiss NGO coordinating international volunteer exchange programs with similar DDC co-financing and UNITE-aligned person-exchange methodology. Direct peer through the joint ISANGO training partnership.
• Terre des Hommes Suisse: Swiss international cooperation NGO focused on children's rights and community development in partner countries. Comparable on DDC co-financing, partner-organization support model, and awareness-raising work in Switzerland.
• COMUNDO: Swiss NGO operating person-exchange programs for international cooperation, formerly allied with E-CHANGER (2013-2016). Directly comparable on the voluntary international cooperation model, Swiss DDC co-financing pathway, and ISANGO training partnership.
• Fastenopfer (Action de Carême): Swiss Catholic development NGO co-funding projects in Latin America and Africa, Alliance Sud member. Comparable on DDC co-financing, Zewo certification, and country-program portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Switzerland: Major Swiss aid organization with international cooperation programs in multiple countries, Alliance Sud member. Comparable on DDC co-financing and Zewo certification, but much larger scale and broader mandate.
• Helvetas: Large Swiss development NGO operating across multiple continents via project support, advocacy, and advisory. Comparable on DDC co-financing model and Alliance Sud membership, but significantly larger and broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/e-changer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 E-CHANGER