Espace Proches

What Espace Proches does

Espace Proches is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 2014 and headquartered in Lausanne, Canton of Vaud. It functions as the designated cantonal gateway (porte d'entrée) to the Vaud network of support organizations for family caregivers (proches aidant·e·s), operating under public mandate from the Direction générale de la cohésion sociale (DGCS) and Direction générale de la santé (DGS) of the État de Vaud. The organization serves an addressable population of more than 117,000 informal caregivers in Vaud (approximately 18% of the canton's population), as well as healthcare, social-work, HR, and education professionals who interact with caregivers through their work.

The organization's core service is a free, confidential cantonal hotline (0800 660 660) staffed by trained social-work and nursing professionals, complemented by a public website offering self-assessment tools (to determine caregiving status and burnout risk), information brochures, FAQ resources, and documentation about financial indemnities and caregiver leave entitlements. Espace Proches also coordinates the annual Journée des proches aidant·e·s (a cantonal awareness day with information stands across multiple Vaud towns), the annual Journée du réseau professionnel de la proche aidance (professional network day), and the annual Thematic Caregiver Day, alongside topic-specific events on autism, cancer, and young caregivers. The technology footprint is intentionally minimal and non-proprietary: standard web publishing, MailPoet for newsletter delivery, telephone systems, and social media channels. There are no AI/ML components, apps, APIs, or proprietary software platforms; service delivery is human-led.

The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: all services are free of charge to end users, with revenue derived from a public mandate from the Canton of Vaud, supplemented by grants and institutional co-funding from partners for specific events and programs. GTM is direct-to-public and direct-to-professional via the hotline, website, events, partner referrals, and earned media. A small core team of approximately five professionals executes operations, supported by a Comité composed of representatives from major cantonal partner organizations.

Name

Espace Proches

Legal name

Espace Proches

Website

https://espaceproches.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Espace Proches is a Swiss non-profit association based in Lausanne, established in 2014 as the gateway to the Canton of Vaud's network of caregiver support organizations. It provides a free hotline, self-assessment tools, professional training, and awareness events for family caregivers and professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Caregiver Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Self-Directed/Consumer-Directed Caregiver Enrollment & Payroll Support (HSABAMAI)

Keywords

• Caregiver support services
• Family caregiver hotline
• Informal caregiver assistance
• Social services coordination
• Caregiver information resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grants and institutional partnerships: Receives grants and institutional support from cantonal and federal bodies (e.g., OFSP Blueprint recognition) and collaborates with institutional partners for co-funded events and programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Espace Proches operates a free cantonal hotline (0800 660 660) staffed by social work and nursing professionals who inform, orient, and support informal caregivers (proches aidant·e·s) in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The organization also provides online self-assessment tools, brochures, professional training, and coordinates annual awareness events including the Journée des proches aidant·e·s and the professional network day. All services are free and confidential, funded by public mandate from the Canton of Vaud's Direction générale de la cohésion sociale (DGCS).

Product overview

Espace Proches is a non-profit association serving as an entry point to the Vaud cantonal network of support services for informal caregivers (proches aidant·e·s). The organization offers a unified service portfolio centered on a free cantonal hotline (0800 660 660) staffed by social work and nursing professionals, complemented by online self-assessment tools, information resources and brochures, professional training services, and annual awareness events including the Journée des proches aidant·e·s and the Journée du réseau professionnel de la proche aidance. The offerings are free and confidential, designed to inform, orient, support, and sensitize both informal caregivers and professionals who interact with them.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hotline cantonale gratuite (Free Cantonal Hotline) Free telephone service at 0800 660 660 staffed by social work and nursing professionals who inform, orient, and support informal caregivers and professionals in the canton of Vaud. Available Monday-Tuesday 13h-17h and Wednesday-Friday 8h-12h.
• Self-assessment tests for informal caregivers Online questionnaires that help individuals determine if they qualify as informal caregivers and assess their risk of burnout, linking to external tools from Proche Aidant Suisse.
• Information and orientation services Guidance services for informal caregivers about available support resources, including information brochures, answers to frequently asked questions, and details about compensation rights and leave entitlements.
• Professional training and interventions Free advice, training, and specific interventions on informal caregiving available to organizations, associations, companies, or professionals in contact with informal caregivers.
• Journée des proches aidant·e·s coordination Annual awareness event coordinated across 10 Swiss cantons, with information stands organized in multiple locations throughout the canton of Vaud.
• Journée du réseau professionnel de la proche aidance Annual professional networking event bringing together healthcare, social work, and human resources professionals to share practices and initiatives supporting informal caregivers. The 3rd edition in 2025 had 134 participants from 66 institutions.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Direction générale de la cohésion sociale (DGCS) – État de VaudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary public-mandate funder and strategic supervisor. Mandates Espace Proches to coordinate the cantonal caregiving support network and the annual Journée des proches aidant·e·s.
• Direction générale de la santé (DGS) – État de VaudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-oversight body for cantonal health policy; supports the 'Important for You' (IPV) campaign in Vaud.
• Commission consultative de soutien aux proches aidant·e·s (État de Vaud)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEspace Proches holds a seat in this consultative commission under DGCS, which brings together the main organizations involved in implementing the cantonal caregiving support system.
• Plateforme de Coordination de la Relève à Domicile (PCRD) – Canton de VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEspace Proches participates in the PCRD platform focused on caregiver respite and home-care coordination.
• Agora VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgora Vaud is the seniors network platform in Vaud committed to social welfare and healthy aging policies. Espace Proches joined in March 2025 to strengthen collaboration on senior caregiver support.
• Autisme VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized an autism awareness event in January 2026 with HETSL; initiated collaboration to strengthen support for caregivers of people with autism spectrum disorder via the hotline.
• Caisse cantonale vaudoise de Compensation AVS (CCVD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered training to Espace Proches staff on PC-RFM (reimbursement of family-member home-care expenses), enhancing the hotline team's knowledge of financial support mechanisms.
• Info Seniors Vaud / Pro Senectute VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfo Seniors Vaud, piloted by Pro Senectute Vaud and the État de Vaud with 40+ institutional partners, featured Espace Proches prominently, highlighting that ~30% of caregivers are seniors.
• Ligue vaudoise contre le cancermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the Feb 4, 2026 World Cancer Day event 'Cancer: et les proches aidant·e·s dans tout ça?' with 120 participants and 32 Romandie support organizations.
• Ligue genevoise contre le cancermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the World Cancer Day event with the Ligue vaudoise.
• CHUV / Centres interdisciplinaires d'oncologiemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized a Feb 10, 2026 event on the role of caregivers in cancer care, with Ophélie Tüscher-Gilliéron (Espace Proches hotline nurse) as a panelist.
• HESAV – Haute Ecole de Santé VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the 5th annual Thematic Caregiver Day (Oct 9, 2025) with Croix-Rouge vaudoise and Association Proches Aidants Vaud, under DGCS patronage.
• Croix-Rouge vaudoisemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 5th Thematic Caregiver Day 2025 alongside HESAV and Association Proches Aidants Vaud.
• Association Proches Aidants VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 5th Thematic Caregiver Day 2025 and key member of the Vaud caregiving network.
• CMS vaudois – AVASADmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in CCVD training at Espace Proches alongside other network partners.
• Alzheimer VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in CCVD training at Espace Proches; a key partner in the dementia caregiver support network.
• Réseau Santé la CôtemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in CCVD training; part of the four Réseaux Santé Vaud that collaborate with Espace Proches.
• Pro Senectute VaudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in CCVD training; co-pilots Info Seniors Vaud platform featuring Espace Proches.
• ARFEC (Association romande des familles confrontées au cancer)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the organizing committee for the Feb 4, 2026 World Cancer Day event.
• Association Savoir PatientminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the organizing committee for the Feb 4, 2026 World Cancer Day event.
• Zoé4lifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the organizing committee for the Feb 4, 2026 World Cancer Day event.
• La CassyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the organizing committee for the Feb 4, 2026 World Cancer Day event.
• Réseaux Santé Vaud (4 regional health networks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe four Réseaux Santé Vaud (Haut-Léman, La Côte, Nord Broye, Région Lausanne) collaborate with Espace Proches in organizing the annual Journée des proches aidant·e·s and ongoing caregiver support.
• Autisme Suisse RomandemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in autism awareness; Espace Proches, Autisme Vaud, and Autisme Suisse Romande are developing collaboration to support caregivers of people with autism via the hotline.
• Unité de recherche pour et par les personnes concernées par l'autisme (URA) – HETSL / NeurodevmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the autism awareness event of Jan 20, 2026.
• Haute école de travail social et de la santé Lausanne (HETSL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the Jan 20, 2026 autism event; Bélinda Bitz (HETSL researcher, autistic person) served as keynote speaker.
• Numerous Vaud health and social institutions (listed in campaign partners)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign 'Important for You' (IPV) supported by: Association Proches Aidants, CMS vaudois – AVASAD, CHUV, Ehnv, État de Vaud, Fondation Asile des aveugles, Hôpital Jules-Gonin, Fondation Le Marronnier, Fondation Primeroche, Fondation Rive-Neuve, GHOL, Hôpital de Lavaux, Hôpital Riviera-Chablais, Institution de Lavigny, La Lignière, Pôle Santé du Pays-d'Enhaut, Pôle santé Vallée de Joux, Réseau Santé Balcon du Jura, Réseau Santé Région Lausanne (RSRL), and Unisanté.
• Proche Aidant SuissemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational platform providing self-assessment tools (am I a caregiver? am I burned out?) that Espace Proches directs users to via its website.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alzheimer Vaud: Vaud-based association supporting people with dementia and their family caregivers through information, support groups, and respite coordination. Comparable as a condition-specific caregiver support organization operating in the same Vaud network, and an active training partner of Espace Proches.
• Croix-Rouge vaudoise: Major Vaud humanitarian nonprofit delivering a broad portfolio of social and health services, including caregiver support. Comparable in scope (Vaud-based, multi-service nonprofit, professional staff) and an active co-organizer of Espace Proches' events.
• Ligue vaudoise contre le cancer: Vaud cancer league providing psychosocial support and resources to cancer patients and their family caregivers. Comparable as a Vaud-based caregiver support organization and a co-organizer of major events (e.g., the 2026 World Cancer Day caregiver event with 120 participants and 32 organizations).
• Pro Senectute Vaud: Cantonal branch of Switzerland's leading seniors' organization, providing services and advocacy for older adults — including substantial support to senior caregivers. Directly comparable in mission, Vaud-based scope, and co-pilot of the Info Seniors Vaud platform that features Espace Proches.
• Info Seniors Vaud: Centralized information and orientation hub for seniors in Vaud, piloted by Pro Senectute Vaud with 40+ institutional partners. Comparable as a regional information gateway model that Espace Proches participates in, and that could partially overlap with its entry-point function.
• Association Proches Aidants Vaud: A Vaud-based association supporting family caregivers through direct services and advocacy. Directly comparable to Espace Proches: same geography (Canton of Vaud), same target population (proches aidants), and co-organizer of major events such as the Thematic Caregiver Day.
• Autisme Vaud: Vaud-based association supporting people with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Comparable as a condition-specific caregiver support organization in Vaud and active co-organizer (Jan 2026 autism awareness event with HETSL) developing hotline collaboration with Espace Proches.
• Proche Aidant Suisse: National Swiss platform providing self-assessment tools, information, and resources for family caregivers. Comparable as the national-scale complement to Espace Proches' cantonal mandate, and a partner to which Espace Proches directs users via its website.

Broad incumbents

• CHUV (Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois): Lausanne University Hospital, the largest hospital in Canton of Vaud. Comparable as a strategic partner that integrates caregiver concerns into clinical pathways (e.g., the Feb 2026 oncology caregiver event), and as a much larger institutional actor whose priorities shape caregiver support policy in Vaud.

Others

• Unisanté: University Center for General Medicine and Public Health in Lausanne, active in prevention, health promotion, and primary care research. Comparable as a Vaud public-health actor whose former staff now work at Espace Proches and whose priorities intersect with caregiver support policy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/espaceproches.ch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/espaceproches
• Instagraminstagram.com/espaceproches

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 Espace Proches