HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid)

Hilfswerk Der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS) is the aid organisation of the Protestant Churches of Switzerland, set up in 1946. HEKS gives humanitarian and emergency aid and fights the causes of hunger, injustice and social deprivation.

The aid organisation has five regional offices in Switzerland and is engaged in more than 200 projects worldwide. HEKS has its own coordination offices in 17 key countries.

The two thematic priorities of HEKS’ development work are development of rural communities and conflict transformation. The issue of food sovereignty and the right to food are crucial aspects in both thematic priorities, and are mainly adressed through a special working emphasis in the field of access to resources - such as land, water, and seeds.

In addition, HEKS has a strong commitment to apply a Human Rights Based Approach, particularly with regard to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights where the Right to Food is one of the main issues. In this context, HEKS supports rural communities and populations in their efforts to struggle for food sovereignty and claim their rights.