Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB)

What Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB) does

Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB) / Relations publiques sans frontières (RPSF) is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The organization mobilizes credentialed communications and public relations professionals to deliver pro bono services — including communications plans, advocacy training, digital communications, multimedia content, and media relations coaching — to local organizations in developing countries. Its core delivery mechanism is a structured expert volunteer matching program running 3 to 6 months per mandate, supplemented by a remote cybermentoring program introduced in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local organizations access services via referral from partner International Cooperation Organizations (OCIs) such as Oxfam-Québec, Oxfam-Ghana, Equitas, Cuso International, SUCO, Terre sans frontières, and Avocats sans frontières Canada; expert volunteers are drawn from recognized professional associations including SQPRP, CPRS, and IABC Quebec.

PRWB operates on a donation-funded model recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. All volunteer services are provided at no cost to recipient organizations; PRWB only covers travel, accommodation, meals, and insurance for on-site missions. Revenue is generated through charitable contributions (via CanadaHelps.org), benefit events (breakfasts and cocktail fundraisers featuring Quebec public figures), and project-specific grants or partnerships with international cooperation organizations. The organization does not develop or sell technology products; its digital footprint consists of a bilingual website (rpsansfrontieres.org), social media channels, a YouTube presence with volunteer testimonials, and an email newsletter.

Over approximately 15 years, PRWB has conducted missions across 20+ countries in Africa (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Cameroon, Benin, Morocco, Tunisia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda), Latin America (Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, Haiti), the Middle East (Palestine/Jerusalem, Jordan), and Asia (India), reaching beneficiary networks that include over 230 health associations via CICDoc Burkina Faso, 1,540 dairy producers via FEPROLEA Bolivia, 5,000+ farmer cooperative members via UGPM Senegal, and 13 communes of Abidjan via Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Health partnerships. In 2023, PRWB launched a redesigned pairing program and a fundraising campaign inviting communications professionals to dedicate 1% of their work time to international cooperation projects, signaling a strategic repositioning. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Julien Baudry and includes founding figures such as Deanna Drendel (first Executive Director, 2010-2012) and Guy Versailles (SQPRP director, multiple award recipient).

Name

Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB)

Legal name

Relations publiques sans frontières (RPSF)

Website

https://rpsansfrontieres.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB) is a Montreal-based non-profit that mobilizes credentialed communications and public relations professionals to deliver pro bono strategic communications, advocacy training, and coaching to local NGOs in 20+ developing countries via a 3-6 month volunteer matching program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Communications Services

NAICS

Public Relations Agencies (541820), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonprofit & Cause Communications (BPAFADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Media & Community Management (PR-led) (BPAFADAM), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF)

Keywords

• Pro bono communications services
• Volunteer matching programs
• International development communications
• NGO capacity building
• Nonprofit public relations

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and charitable contributions: PRWB operates as a charitable organization recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. It raises funds through donations via platforms such as CanadaHelps.org. All services to partner organizations are provided pro bono; only travel and living expenses for on-site missions are covered by the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PRWB is a Canadian charitable nonprofit that mobilizes accredited communications and public relations professionals to provide pro bono capacity-building support to local organizations in developing countries. Its core service is a 3 to 6-month Expert Volunteer Matching Program in which volunteer professionals develop communications plans, create communication tools, deliver coaching, and conduct on-site or remote (cybermentoring) missions referred by partner international cooperation organizations such as Oxfam-Québec, Equitas, and Cuso International.

Product overview

Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB)/Relations publiques sans frontières (RPSF) is a non-profit charitable organization that provides pro bono communications and public relations support to organizations in developing countries. The organization operates primarily through its Expert Volunteer Matching Program (3-6 month pairing), Cybermentoring Program (remote support), and specific project missions. PRWB does not develop or sell software products — its offerings are entirely service-based volunteer coordination programs connecting communications professionals with organizations in developing countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Expert Volunteer Matching Program (Jumelage) A 3 to 6-month pairing program that matches accredited communications and public relations professionals with local organizations in developing countries to deliver pro bono support for developing communications plans, communication tools, and coaching. Local organizations are recommended by partner International Cooperation Organizations (OCIs) and a tripartite agreement is signed before matching.
• Cybermentoring Program A remote (online) capacity-building initiative through which PRWB expert volunteers mentor local partner organizations in developing countries on communications strategy, digital communications, and advocacy without requiring on-site travel.
• Partner Organization Program A service framework that allows International Cooperation Organizations (OCIs) with formal agreements with PRWB to submit matching requests on behalf of their local implementing partners and participate in preparatory meetings and tripartite agreements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 230+ health associations in Burkina Faso reached through a single partner's network (CICDoc)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 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

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

• Oxfam-QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024Oxfam-Québec is a key international cooperation partner of PRWB. Oxfam-Québec identifies local organizations in developing countries that can benefit from PRWB's expert volunteer matching program. The partnership has included projects in Burkina Faso (2011, 2013), Côte d'Ivoire (2019-2022), and coordinated volunteer recruitment for the Ghana mission. Oxfam-Québec provides technical advice and helps facilitate PRWB's work with local partners in the field.
• Oxfam-GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024Oxfam-Ghana submitted a request for communications support in 2024, seeking PRWB's help with advocacy training, campaign effectiveness, digital communications, and multimedia production. PRWB is recruiting 2-3 expert volunteers to support Oxfam-Ghana across four domains: Advocacy, Campaigns, Digital Communications, and Multimedia. The project involves an initial 1-2 week on-site assessment in fall 2024 followed by 6-9 months of remote support.
• Accountability Lab Mali (ALM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccountability Lab Mali is a member of the Accountability Lab international network based in Washington D.C. PRWB supported ALM in developing a global communication strategy and communication plan for COVID-19 awareness, particularly in the Mopti region. The mandate was led by mission heads Donna Battista and Myriam Balian from May to July 2020. The overall communication strategy became a valuable fundraising tool for ALM.
• EQUITAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEQUITAS is an international human rights organization based in Montreal. PRWB partnered with EQUITAS to deliver online media relations training to EQUITAS partners in Senegal (La Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme) and Burkina Faso (Mouvement Burkinabè des Droits de l'Homme et des Peoples) as part of a project funded by the International Organization of the Francophonie. Pierre Gince and Audrey Beaumont delivered the training in September 2020.
• Centre d'Information, de Conseils et de Documentation sur le Sida et la Tuberculose (CICDoc)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICDoc coordinates more than 230 health associations in Burkina Faso. PRWB supported CICDoc from April to July 2020 to align its COVID-19 response communications with the government's national plan. Mission heads Colette Schwartz and Jean-Frédéric Légaré-Tremblay developed visual tools, advocacy materials, evaluation guides, and press releases, and coordinated publication on the Canadian Embassy's social media in Burkina Faso.
• Avocats sans frontières CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvocats sans frontières Canada operates legal aid and human rights projects in Mali and Honduras. PRWB supported their JUPREC project (Justice, Prevention and Reconciliation for women and vulnerable populations) by providing communications training, developing advocacy booklets, and building the capacity of civil society organizations in Mali. Guy Versailles led the Mali mission in October 2019; Gary Sutherland led the Honduras mission in November 2019.
• Terre sans frontières (TSF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerre sans frontières supports education and development projects in developing countries. PRWB partnered with TSF on projects including Uganda (UPISA school network, 2013), Tanzania (TUPSS secondary schools, 2014), and cybermentoring initiatives. TSF identifies partner organizations and facilitates PRWB's access to local projects.
• YWCA Palestine / JerusalemmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYWCA Palestine is a partner of Oxfam-Québec in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PRWB mission head Louis Moubarak developed a communication plan and strategy for YWCA in April 2016, and provided coaching to Oxfam's on-site technical communications advisor to enable them to support other partner organizations.
• Solidarité Union Coopération (SUCO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUCO is a Canadian international cooperation organization. PRWB partnered with SUCO on a project in Haiti (2013) to support the agricultural launch program in Marigot near Jacmel. PRWB strengthened the capacities of SUCO's local project team and their partner Cercle Divers in communication and event management. The mission was led by Gilles J. Morin.
• Cuso InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCuso International is a Canadian international development organization. PRWB partnered with Cuso for the Cameroon Éco project (2018), where mission head Malika Noubissié strengthened Cam-Éco's written and internal communications capacities.
• WWF CameroonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF Cameroon partnered with PRWB in 2018 for the Campo Ma'an National Park project. Mission head Maxime Laliberté worked to increase the tourism visibility of the region to present the ecotourism potential of the park to the public.
• Société québécoise des professionnels en relations publiques (SQPRP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSQPRP is Quebec's foremost association of public relations professionals. PRWB board member Guy Versailles is a director of SQPRP. SQPRP expert volunteers come from SQPRP's professional network and several PRWB leaders (Deanna Drendel, Guy Versailles, Joanne Fortin) hold FSCRP/FCRP credentials from SQPRP/CPRS.
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) QuebeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIABC Quebec is a professional association for business communicators. Listed as a partner on PRWB's website, IABC Quebec members may serve as expert volunteers through the matching program.
• Association des professionnels en communication du Québec (A2C)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA2C is a Quebec association of communication professionals. Listed as a partner on PRWB's website. Expert volunteers may come from A2C's professional network.
• Avenir GlobalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAvenir Global is a global communications network. Listed as a partner on PRWB's website, appearing alongside SQPRP, IABC, ACRPQ, and A2C.
• Vasco DesignminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVasco Design is a design studio credited on PRWB's website as the creator of the organization's visual identity and web design. Their logo appears in the partners section.
• Société canadienne des relations publiques (CPRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPRS is Canada's national public relations society. Several PRWB leaders hold FCPRS (Fellow of CPRS) credentials. CPRS is the source of APR accreditation held by many PRWB expert volunteers.
• UPA Développement InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPA DI is a development organization supporting agricultural producers. PRWB partnered with UPA DI for projects in Senegal (CIFA and UGPM, 2016) to strengthen institutional communications of farmer organizations.
• Arab Network for Human Rights and Citizenship Education (ANHRE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANHRE is based in Jordan and oversees partners in 5 MENA countries for the Equitas-led Mosharka project. PRWB worked with ANHRE in 2014 to analyze and improve the project's communication strategy across Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.
• Douar TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouar Tech supports entrepreneurship projects in rural areas of Morocco, particularly for women. PRWB conducted a cybermentoring project with Douar Tech in 2019, led by Morgane Lopez.
• Centre féminin pour la promotion des droits démocratiques de Côte d'Ivoire (CEFCI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEFCI's mission is to improve the situation of women by helping them know their rights and encouraging the emergence of women and young girls as leaders. PRWB conducted a cybermentoring project with CEFCI in 2019, led by Geneviève Bédard.
• InternewsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternews produces daily radio broadcasts and electronic newsletters on Ebola in Guinea. PRWB trained Internews journalists and editors on social media (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter) and newsletter optimization in September 2015. The project was funded by OFDA-USAID.
• Oeuvre LégermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOeuvre Léger supports food security projects. PRWB partnered with Oeuvre Léger on IMSA (Innovation et mobilisation pour la sécurité alimentaire) projects in Burkina Faso (2016, diagnostic of 3 NGOs) and Bolivia-Peru (2016, dairy producers communication plan).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=fPrsSQlKB2o
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/relations-publiques-sans-fronti-res-rpsf-public-relations-without-borders-prwb-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Public Relations Without Borders (PRWB)