Our work
Our partners
We rely on strong partnerships to ensure that the funds we raise are managed responsibly and that your donations are used to best effect to provide aid to disaster victims and people in need in Switzerland and around the world.
SRG-SSR: Long committed to Swiss Solidarity
La Chaîne du Bonheur – which today also goes by the English moniker Swiss Solidarity – was created in 1946 as an original programme on Radio Sottens, the forerunner of RTS (Lien hypertexte : The Story of Swiss Solidarity page). In 1983, Swiss Solidarity became an independent foundation, though it has since maintained its close ties to SRG SSR, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. On fundraising days and during major solidarity campaigns, the radio and television stations of RTS, SRF, RSI and RTR broadcast our appeal for solidarity and inform their audiences about the disaster. These entities also get involved on a regular basis through special solidarity operations such as Cœur à Cœur.
The close relationship that Swiss Solidarity and SRG SSR have is reflected in the make-up of our governing bodies: half the members of our Foundation Council, including the president (hyperlinks: pages Governing Bodies et Our Team), are appointed by SRG SSR and help to strengthen links with the various media (radio, television, digital) in Switzerland’s four linguistic regions.
Our international partner NGOs
Every four years, we evaluate our partnerships with these NGOs and renew their accreditations, but only if they still meet our criteria (namely, having their head office in Switzerland, being active in at least three countries and being certified by Zewo). We also accept applications from new organisations, assuming that they meet the accreditation criteria.
ADRA
ADRA Switzerland, an Adventist relief and development agency, supports development projects, provides emergency relief and brings relief to families, vulnerable persons and disaster victims. By fostering autonomy and economic independence, ADRA restores human dignity.
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Brücke Le Pont
Brücke Le Pont supports projects in West Africa and Latin America through the “Work in dignity” program, focusing on vocational training, the creation of income and labour rights. It encourages financial autonomy and participation in social and political life.
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Caritas Switzerland
Caritas Switzerland helps people in distress in Switzerland and worldwide. In collaboration with regional Caritas organisations, it operates mainly where poverty reigns. Caritas provides emergency assistance in disasters and participates in reconstruction.
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CBM
CBM Switzerland provides development cooperation and humanitarian aid. In Africa, Asia and Latin America, we prevent disabilities and provide medical care and inclusive support for people with disabilities. We are committed to an inclusive society in which no-one is left behind.
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Swiss Red Cross
The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is the largest and most important humanitarian organization in Switzerland. It helps people in need in the areas of health, integration and rescue. The SRC is represented throughout Switzerland and is active in around 30 countries.
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Enfants du monde
Enfants du Monde is a Swiss self-help organisation which provides quality education and healthcare to disadvantaged children in some of the world’s poorest countries. It operates in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia and Haiti.
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Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), the relief agency of the Protestant Church in Switzerland, delivers humanitarian aid in response to natural disasters and armed conflicts and strives to counter the root causes of poverty and injustice. HEKS/EPER also seeks to bring about systemic change through its development work.
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Fondation Hirondelle
Fondation Hirondelle is a Swiss non-profit organization founded in 1995, which provides information to populations faced with crisis, empowering them in their daily lives and as citizens. Since its creation Fondation Hirondelle, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, has worked in 18 countries on 3 continents.
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FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage)
FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage) is a Swiss NGO specializing in humanitarian mine action. Its teams locate and destroy landmines and explosive remnants of war, conduct awareness-raising campaigns among affected populations and set up socio-economic assistance projects for victims of accidental explosions.
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Pestalozzi Children’s Village Foundation
Pestalozzi Children’s Village Foundation works in 12 countries to provide quality education to children and adolescents. In Switzerland, the organization promotes students’ intercultural skills through active learning projects.
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Frieda
Frieda – the Feminist Peace Organisation is committed to peace and justice, with a focus on equality for women. With projects in Switzerland and abroad, Frieda contributes to the protection against gender-based violence and the promotion of social, economic and political participation.
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Helvetas
Helvetas works in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe, where it initiates projects related to water, infrastructure, training, agriculture, the market, environment and climate.
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IAMANEH Switzerland
IAMANEH Switzerland is a development cooperation organisation engaged in health promotion and protection. It supports projects in West Africa and the Western Balkans. Its main target group is women and children empowered to build their own future.
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Medair
Medair helps people suffering in remote and devastated communities around the world to survive crises, recover with dignity and develop the skills they need to build a better future.
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Médecins du Monde Suisse
Médecins du Monde Suisse runs humanitarian and development programs providing solutions in a perspective of sustainability, with a particular focus on access to healthcare for mothers, children and vulnerable populations, worldwide and in Switzerland.
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Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is an independent international humanitarian medical organisation that provides emergency assistance to populations without access to healthcare, in particular those affected by armed conflicts, epidemics or natural disasters.
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Save the Children Switzerland
Save the Children Switzerland is an autonomous member of the largest independent children’s rights organisation in the world. In Switzerland and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.
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SolidarMed
SolidarMed is a Swiss organization that works in the field of health in Africa. It helps more than 2.5 million people in Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, aiming to develop and, where necessary, sustainably consolidate the provision of medical care.
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Solidar Switzerland
Solidar Switzerland acts worldwide for a more just society, fighting for fairer working conditions and greater democracy, while delivering humanitarian aid following disasters. In Switzerland, Solidar runs public awareness campaigns.
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SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages supports children in need and families at risk in more than 135 countries. With programs for education, health and income generation, the organisation empowers children and families to shape their own future.
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SWISSAID
SWISSAID’s vision is a world where hunger does not belong and where even the poorest can lead a healthy, dignified, and autonomous life. As one of Switzerland’s most experienced development organisations, we create sustainable and climate friendly solutions to fight against the global food crisis. In doing so, we empower women, especially women in agriculture, to eradicate hunger
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Terre des hommes
Terres des hommes foundation builds a better future for underprivileged children in more than 30 countries. Health and protection projects improve the daily lives of two million children and their families each year.
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Terre des Hommes Suisse
Terre des Hommes Suisse operates in 9 countries, with local partners, to improve the living conditions of children and young people by providing them protection, access to education and advocating for their rights. In Switzerland, the foundation raises awareness and encourages young people to promote solidarity.
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terre des hommes Switzerland
terre des hommes Switzerland works to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged young people in ten countries in the southern hemisphere. Here in Switzerland it raises awareness of the inequality between North and South and encourages people’s solidarity.
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Women's Hope International
Women's Hope International works to ensure that girls and women can live self-determined and healthy lives. Together with our partner organisations, we are committed to improving health services around pregnancy and birth in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Chad. We empower women to claim their sexual and reproductive rights and to resist gender-based violence.
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VSF-Suisse
VSF-Suisse fights hunger and poverty in Africa. More specifically, it works for and with people who depend on animals for their livelihood. The actions of VSF-Suisse lead to improved access to health services and education, thus providing a way out of poverty.
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Vivamos Mejor
Foundation Vivamos Mejor works to achieve sustainable improvements in living conditions in Latin America. The Foundation is committed to promoting preschool and professional education and sustainable water use, as well as providing farmers with livelihoods.
WebsiteOur institutional partners
Our appeals for donations in times of crisis and disaster benefit from the invaluable support of our institutional partners. These partnerships, some of which date back decades, are the real driving force behind our work. Swiss Solidarity would like to thank the following businesses for their longstanding support:
Keystone-ATS
This Swiss news agency supports us in our numerous campaigns by providing us with free access to news images from disaster- and crisis-stricken areas in Switzerland and abroad.
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Swisscom
Long-time partner Swisscom supports Swiss Solidarity through donations and by putting equipment, infrastructure and services at our disposal. For example, on National Days of Solidarity the company provides the infrastructure (telephone lines and freephone number 0800 87 07 07) that enables Swiss Solidarity to take pledges.
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Credit Suisse (UBS Group)
As part of its corporate volunteering programme, employees from the bank’s Customer Service Centre help us on National Days of Solidarity by taking pledges at the Swiss Solidarity call centre during peak hours.
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Swiss Post
In the past, payment slips were available at all post offices. Although QR-bills have since replaced payment slips, the public can still donate to Swiss Solidarity directly at any Swiss Post counter.
WebsiteOur media partners
During the National Days of Solidarity, we also benefit from the involvement of private radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland.
United under the Radios Régionales Romandes (RRR) umbrella, 10 private radio stations broadcast our appeals for donations to help people affected by disasters. As a result, we are able to reach an even wider audience.
Special initiatives
These companies enable customers to donate their loyalty points to Swiss Solidarity.
BonusCard.ch SA
BonusCard, a branch of Cornèr Bank AG in Zurich, is the issuer of the Visa Bonus Card, the Visa LibertyCard and the SIMPLY Visa Card. The leading provider of credit and prepaid cards with loyalty programmes has been supporting Swiss Solidarity since 2016. Customers can exchange their bonus points for donations, which the bank then donates to Swiss Solidarity.
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WEMF
The WEMF Institute for Advertising Media Research has been supporting Swiss Solidarity for many years. Survey participants can use their bonus points to make a donation to the Swiss Solidarity children's charity.
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intervista
The intervista opinion poll institute has been supporting Swiss Solidarity for many years. Survey participants can use their bonus points to make a donation to Swiss Solidarity child relief.
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Migros
Swiss Solidarity is a partner of the Cumulus programme. Thanks to the points donated by Migros customers, Swiss Solidarity supports Swiss organisations working with people in difficulty in our country.
WebsiteThe purchase of a “Swiss Solidarity” rose by renowned rose grower Richard Huber supports our Child relief fund. This golden yellow rose was specially developed for Swiss Solidarity in 2005. The rosebush can be ordered from this page.