HEKS/EPER South Caucasus

What HEKS/EPER South Caucasus does

HEKS/EPER South Caucasus is the regional programme of HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid), a Swiss charitable non-governmental organization founded in 1946 and headquartered in Zurich. The South Caucasus programme, based in Tbilisi with operations in Georgia and Armenia, addresses the consequences of frozen conflicts in South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Nagorno-Karabakh through a triple-nexus approach combining humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peace-building. Its core activities focus on rural income generation, civil society strengthening, conflict transformation, and climate adaptation for smallholder farmers, implemented through a partner-network model of 12 local NGOs, farmers' associations, and small businesses rather than direct service delivery.

The underlying operating model is partnership-driven community-led development rather than a technology platform; the organization has no proprietary technology stack, no AI/ML capabilities, and no software products. Programmes are funded through donations from individuals, grants from institutional donors (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, European Union, USAID, Austrian Development Agency, foundations), and—since 2021—impact-investment returns from the Rural Livelihoods Investment Facility (RLIF), a debt-financing vehicle for African SMEs operated jointly with iGravity. Beneficiary pricing is zero (services are grant-funded), while the donor-side business model resembles a multi-year institutional fundraising operation.

The customer base consists of rural communities, smallholder farmers, youth, media workers, civil society actors, IDPs, and refugees in Georgia and Armenia, with the broader HEKS/EPER organization operating programmes across more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Marketing and donor engagement occur through the HEKS website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky), newsletters, and ZEWO-certified fundraising channels. The 2025 Annual Report indicates the organization is navigating 'massive cuts in international aid funding,' a meaningful contextual risk to forward growth.

Name

HEKS/EPER South Caucasus

Legal name

HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid)

Website

https://en.heks.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HEKS/EPER South Caucasus is the Georgia-Armenia regional programme of Swiss Church Aid, working through 12 local partner NGOs and farmers' associations to deliver rural income generation, conflict transformation, and humanitarian aid in post-Soviet frozen-conflict zones.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Development Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture & Food Security Development (BPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH), Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition Technical Assistance (BPADAEAG), Nutrition Governance, Policy & Coordination (SUN, National Plans) (BPADAJAL)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Development cooperation
• Conflict transformation
• Rural livelihoods support
• Climate justice programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: HEKS/EPER operates as a Swiss charitable organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, foundations, and public authorities. The organization receives funding from institutional donors including Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), European Union, and other government development agencies.
2. Impact Investment Returns: Through the Rural Livelihoods Investment Facility (RLIF), HEKS/EPER provides debt financing to small and medium enterprises in sustainable agriculture and related industries, generating financial returns alongside social impact.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HEKS/EPER South Caucasus operates a regional development and humanitarian program in Georgia and Armenia through 12 local partner organisations. It delivers income-generating activities, civil society strengthening, climate adaptation for smallholder farmers, and conflict transformation initiatives for rural populations affected by frozen conflicts. The organization also runs thematic programs on Climate Justice, Right to Land and Food, Flight and Migration, and Inclusion.

Product overview

HEKS/EPER is a Swiss Church Aid organization operating as a unified humanitarian and development aid platform rather than a technology product. The organization offers multiple integrated programme areas organized by geographic region (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, South Caucasus) and thematic focus (Humanitarian Aid, Church Cooperation, Climate Justice, Right to Land and Food, Flight and Migration, Inclusion). The Regional Programme South Caucasus specifically focuses on Georgia and Armenia, working with local partner organisations to promote economic development in rural communities, strengthen civil society, and facilitate conflict transformation. Additional offerings include the Rural Livelihoods Investment Facility (RLIF) for impact investing in African SMEs, and various country-specific development programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regional Programme South Caucasus A regional development program active in Georgia and Armenia that improves living conditions for rural populations through income-generating activities, civil society empowerment, and conflict transformation initiatives. Works with 12 local partner organisations including NGOs, farmers' associations, and small businesses.
• Rural Livelihoods Investment Facility (RLIF) An impact investment vehicle that provides debt financing to small and medium enterprises in sustainable agriculture and related industries across sub-Saharan Africa, targeting enterprises too small for many impact investors.
• Humanitarian Aid Services Needs-based emergency aid worldwide providing vital supplies (water, food, hygiene products, temporary shelter), improving economic livelihoods, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and boosting civilian capacity to withstand future disasters and conflicts.
• Church Cooperation Partnership programmes with churches across Europe and other regions, focusing on welfare and social services for marginalized people, including the elderly, disabled, victims of domestic violence, and refugees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rural livelihoods improved through income-generating activities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 12 Local Partner Organisations in South CaucasuscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHEKS/EPER works with 12 local partner organisations in Georgia and Armenia including NGOs, farmers' associations, and small businesses. These partnerships focus on income-generating activities, civil society strengthening, and conflict transformation in rural communities affected by frozen conflicts.
• CEFORD (Community Empowerment for Rural Development)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner organisation in Uganda's Bidibidi and Palorinya refugee settlements working on food security, livelihoods, and community cohesion between refugees and host communities.
• Palestinian Working Women For Development (PWWSD)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organisation implementing shelter, protection, and psychosocial support programs for displaced families in Gaza.
• MA'AN Development CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPalestinian development organisation providing agricultural support and emergency aid distribution in Gaza, including seeds, fertilisers, and technical agricultural assistance.
• iGravitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss-based impact investing advisory firm partnering with HEKS/EPER on the Rural Livelihoods Investment Facility (RLIF). iGravity handles deal execution, due diligence, and impact measurement while HEKS provides rural market systems expertise.
• Programme de Désarmement, Démobilisation, Rëlèvement Communautaire et Stabilisation (Government of DRC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment programme for social reintegration of former soldiers in Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Ministry of Gender Affairs (DRC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment ministry providing care for victims of sexual violence as part of DRC country programme.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (DRC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment ministry cooperating on agroecology, biodiversity conservation, and land access projects.
• ACT AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal coalition of churches engaged in humanitarian aid and development, providing coordinated response framework for HEKS/EPER programs.
• Community Initiative Facilitation and Assistance (CIFA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal implementing partner in Kenya and Ethiopia for cross-border conflict transformation and climate resilience project in Borana and Marsabit regions.
• Jeunes Volontaires pour l'Environnement Côte d'IvoireminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental organisation member of Informal Alliance Against Expansion of Industrial Oil Palm Plantations, addressing land conflicts affecting women in West and Central Africa.
• Department of Possibility (DOP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner implementing shelter, livelihoods, and cash-for-work programs for DRC refugees in Nakivale camp, Uganda.
• Action pour le Développement des Milieux Ruraux (ADMR)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal organisation in South Kivu implementing organic farming and market access project for farming families.
• Vision des Femmes pour le Développement Endogène (VIFEDE)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWomen's organisation in North Kivu promoting agroecology and market access for women farmers.
• Village d'EspoircoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal organisation implementing emergency aid for displaced populations in South Kivu highlands.
• Local Church Partners in SyriacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProtestant churches in Syria providing education, children's programmes, psychosocial and medical assistance as part of Church Cooperation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Caritas Switzerland: Swiss Catholic charitable organisation operating international development and humanitarian programmes, with direct presence in the South Caucasus. Nearest Swiss INGO peer by structure, geography, and donor base.
• People in Need: Czech humanitarian and development organisation with strong presence in the South Caucasus, Eastern Partnership countries, and post-Soviet spaces. Closely comparable geographic footprint and integrated relief-development programming.
• ACT Alliance: Global coalition of 140+ churches and church-related organisations coordinating humanitarian, development, and advocacy work. HEKS/EPER is a member and uses ACT coordination frameworks; comparable in faith-based identity and multi-sector programming.
• Welthungerhilfe: German development NGO focused on fighting hunger through rural development, food security, and livelihoods programming. Closely comparable in thematic focus (right to food, rural livelihoods) and dual humanitarian-development model.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision: Global Christian humanitarian organisation running child-focused development, food security, and livelihoods programmes in fragile contexts. Overlaps with HEKS/EPER in faith-based identity, rural livelihoods, and multi-year programming.
• Norwegian Refugee Council: Major displacement-focused humanitarian organisation operating in conflict-affected and frozen-conflict regions globally. Comparable in targeting conflict-affected populations and integrated protection-livelihoods approach.
• CARE International: Major humanitarian and development organisation operating poverty-fighting and women's economic empowerment programmes in fragile contexts. Comparable in target population (rural women, smallholder farmers) and integrated development-humanitarian model.
• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian organisation operating market systems development, peacebuilding, and climate adaptation programmes in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Direct overlap with HEKS/EPER's triple-nexus approach and rural-economy focus.
• Oxfam: Large international development confederation running rural livelihoods, food security, and conflict-transformation programmes globally, including in the South Caucasus. Highly comparable in mission and beneficiary focus but vastly larger scale.

Regional players

• Solidarités International: French humanitarian organisation focused on water, sanitation, and food security in conflict and crisis contexts. Comparable in emergency-livelihoods integration and rural-agricultural focus, though less direct South Caucasus presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hekseperworld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heks-eper-south-caucasus
• Instagraminstagram.com/heks_eper_world

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 HEKS/EPER South Caucasus