HEKS@home Portrait
HEKS/Julie Lovens
Who we are

For a life in dignity

Portrait

In over 30 countries across four continents, HEKS/EPER supports development cooperation projects to combat poverty and injustice and advocates for a life in dignity for all people. At the same time, HEKS/EPER strives for systemic change through its development work – in Switzerland and worldwide. HEKS/EPER provides humanitarian assistance around the world for victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts and supports the diaconal work of churches in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Through its programmes in Switzerland, HEKS/EPER champions the rights and causes of refugees and socially underprivileged people. In its projects around the world and in its work of raising awareness around development and social policy topics in Switzerland, HEKS/EPER places the emphasis on the four priorities of climate justice, the right to land and food, flight and migration, and integration.

Overview

HEKS/EPER was founded in 1946 by the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) as the aid agency of the Swiss Protestant Churches. HEKS/EPER became a non-profit foundation in 2004. In November 2021, HEKS/EPER and Bread for All merged to form Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER). For HEKS/EPER, the dignity of every human being is at the centre its commitment. All human beings should be able to lead a life that is socially, economically and politically secure.

Priorities

In its projects at home and abroad and in its development and social policy work, HEKS/EPER focuses on the four priorities of climate justice, the right to land and food, flight and migration, and inclusion/integration.

HEKS/EPER abroad

In more than 30 countries on four continents, HEKS/EPER supports development cooperation projects, provides humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts, and supports the diaconal work of churches in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. At the same time, HEKS/EPER strives for worldwide systemic change through its development and social policy work.

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HEKS im Ausland
HEKS

HEKS/EPER in Switzerland

Through its programmes in Switzerland, HEKS/EPER fosters social inclusion for marginalized people, promotes equal opportunity and supports asylum seekers and other socially deprived people with legal advice. HEKS/EPER also sees itself as a driving force in the shaping of public opinion on various development and social policy issues. Through regular campaigns on specific topics, HEKS/EPER promotes and supports awareness-raising in Switzerland regarding development policy issues.

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HEKS im Inland
HEKS

Working methods

HEKS/EPER projects promote help for self-help, are geared to the needs and resources of those concerned and are implemented in concert with them. HEKS/EPER staff are in constant dialogue with project participants, partner organizations, sponsoring institutions, donors and cantonal reformed churches. HEKS/EPER works with local partner organizations abroad. HEKS/EPER Coordination Offices employ local people.

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Arbeitsweise des HEKS
Annette Boutellier

The 2030 Agenda 

The “2030 Agenda” represents a global plan put forward by the UN to promote sustainable development up to 2030. The 17 goals and 169 targets it contains – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and the guiding principle of "leaving no one behind" constitute a key priority and frame of reference for the work of HEKS/EPER abroad and in Switzerland. Equal access to social, economic, cultural and political life is, after all, the basis for prosperous, inclusive and peaceful societies.

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Bauer bei der Ernte
Christian Bobst

Values

Based on the dignity of every human being, the following are HEKS/EPER core values: justice, self-determination, solidarity, help without ethnic, social, religious or other barriers, responsibility, participation, closeness to people and effective action. These values should be perceptible in all spheres: in programmes and projects, in fundraising and communications, and in dealings with employees and partners.

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Werte
Christian Bobst

Accountability

For us, the trust of our donors, clients, partner organizations and of all who engage with and for us is paramount. Ethical and moral values are therefore the bedrock of our work. The ZEWO quality label is confirmation that HEKS/EPER utilizes the funds entrusted to it economically, effectively and for their designated purpose. HEKS/EPER also makes an external whistleblowing platform available to its employees and third parties through which they can report misconduct or breaches of the Code of Conduct or the Field Financial Guidelines. In this way, HEKS/EPER remains accountable to donors, churches, staff and beneficiaries.

www.zewo.ch

HEKS Integrity Line

HEKS übernimmt Verantwortung
Beni Basler

Transparency

Transparency is crucial to responsible and effective action. HEKS/EPER has laid out its principles in this regard in its own Transparency Code. On the one hand, the Code constitutes action guidelines for HEKS/EPER personnel and on the other, it informs the public as to how HEKS/EPER understands transparency. In an annual Transparency Report, HEKS/EPER reviews compliance with the guidelines.

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HEKS ist transparent
Karin Desmarowitz
Basic documents

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