Portrait
Mission 21 is a global community of partner churches and partner organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. For over 200 years, we have been working together on the basis of Christian faith for a life in dignity for all people. In doing so, we align our work with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals ("Agenda 2030"). In particular, we are guided by the SDG 16+ goal of building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
Mission 21 is supported by people like you, by the Swiss Protestant Reformed Church (EKS) and by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Mission 21 is recognized as a non-profit organization and certified by ZEWO and EduQua.
Our offer is open to all people, regardless of religion, origin or gender.
Our fields of action and topics
Our understanding of mission is based on the belief that all people are different, but created with equal worth and dignity. Therefore, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion or geographic origin, they should be able to share equally in what the Bible calls "life in abundance for all" (John 10:10). We build our work on this conviction: in the fields of action International learning community and International development cooperation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have questions about the financing of our work, our understanding of mission or our global commitment? We have compiled the most frequently asked questions for you. â–º FAQs
International learning community
As an international learning community, we create space for transcultural exchange and interreligious cooperation and promote an understanding of global connections: we enable participation in the global church, network committed young people in our global youth movement and advocate decolonization. This includes supporting historical research into the links between mission and colonialism as well as maintaining and cataloging our research archive with the aim of facilitating transparent research into missionary history. We also align our international cooperation with the principles of decolonization and work on an equal footing with our partner churches and partner organizations. â–º further information
International cooperation
In international cooperation, we work with over 70 partner organizations in various areas to empower vulnerable people: We provide humanitarian aid in crises and conflicts and are involved in peacebuilding. We help to secure livelihoods by providing education, promoting basic medical care and food sovereignty. We firmly oppose violence against women and children and support educational activities for social change. We also encourage our partner organizations to align their activities with the principles of good governance and human rights. Across all programs and projects, we stand up for gender equality and climate justice.
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Our areas of activity
Education
Education enables people to shape their own lives and take responsibility in society. We promote literacy in our partner countries: basic education projects for reading, writing and arithmetic. We enable vocational training and adult education. We promote the self-confidence of people from marginalized population groups so that they can work independently for a life in dignity.
Health
For over one billion people worldwide, access to healthcare is not guaranteed. Mission 21 helps people in remote and rural areas access healthcare. We support projects that promote the sexual and reproductive health of vulnerable populations. We are committed to the fight against HIV and discrimination against people living with HIV.
Peacebuilding
In many partner countries, tensions or violence are on the rise. We work at eye level with local people to resolve conflicts and structural violence peacefully. We work to prevent violence against women and children. Religious or ethnic aspects often play an important role in conflicts. Mission 21 brings its expertise in interreligious and intercultural peacebuilding to bear here.
Food Sovereignty
The right to food is a fundamental human right. Although enough food is produced globally, around 870 million people go hungry, and another billion are chronically malnourished. Mission 21 supports projects that aim to enable disadvantaged people, especially smallholder families, to eat healthily and live in dignity.
Annual report and financial report
The Annual Report provides information on the work and principles of Mission 21 and shows how these manifested themselves in the year under review. It contains the annual financial statements including information on the origin and use of funds. The key donor groups are mentioned by name. Information on the structure and committees of the mission organization as well as a brief portrait of Mission 21 are also included. The annual report is published at the end of June/beginning of July after the international mission synod of Mission 21.
