CO-OPERAID is a Swiss non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, humanitarian, organisation with the purpose raising funds for projects in development aid and for humanitarian relief and to determine their application and to oversee their use.



CO-OPERAID was established as a Foundation in 1981 and registered at the Chamber of Commerce of the Canton of Zurich, recognised by the Federal Government, Cantons and ZEWO and accredited by Swiss Solidarity (Gluckskette).



CO-OPERAID enables AIDS orphans, refugee children, as well as girls and boys from poor and socially disadvantaged families to attend school. Young people, who can read and write, have a better chance to obtain work and to independently determine their own lives.



After completing elementary education CO-OPERAID enables adolescents, young men and women, to attend secondary school or to learn a trade. With practical knowledge in the trade they have learnt, these young people are able to build an independent existence.



CO-OPERAID furthers, with small projects, women communities and the education of women, among other reasons as a preventive measure. As the effects of the global economy mainly hit socially discriminated women the hardest.



CO-OPERAID supports families, women groups, schools and communities in the implementation of their own projects. This help is provided in the form of seed capital (e.g. credit), accompanying a project and counselling, or mediating know-how and vocational skills.