The projects in which help alliance is involved are directly proposed by Lufthansa Group employees, who also supervise their implementation. They are supported by local partner organisations that have many years of experience in development cooperation and are very familiar with local conditions and the needs of the local population. The aim is to provide access to education, especially for young people, and to empower the local community to lead a self-determined life. In addition to the focus on education, help alliance also promotes entrepreneurship. The help alliance is currently active in around 60 projects in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, and its impact is tangible: more than 60,000 children, adolescents and young adults worldwide were supported by help alliance projects last year. 31,000 children were able to attend school and more than 4,500 young people received education and training through the help alliance.

An inspiring example of a project by two SWISS colleagues
In 2022, Alain Dudzik and Stefanie Kollias-Bayard, both SWISS employees, took part in the Impact Week in Nairobi. The non-profit programme brings together people from different countries and promotes innovation and entrepreneurial skills in developing and emerging countries. While there, they were introduced to the Nivishe Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of mental health issues, particularly among women and girls from marginalised communities, informal settlements and low-income groups. Deeply moved by the situation in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, and inspired by the work of the Nivishe Foundation, they decided on the spot to do more and address the issue. Back in Switzerland, the project was fleshed out and submitted to the help alliance as part of the regular application process. It was the first project initiated by SWISS employees to be accepted by the help alliance.

Since then, they have put their heart and soul into improving the lives of the people of Kibera. In the midst of difficult living conditions, women, young people, mothers and children in particular face major mental health challenges. The Nivishe Foundation is building a community centre that will not only provide care and mentoring, but also education and training to raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma. A particular focus is on supporting teenage mothers, giving them the chance of a better future through education and vocational training. Alain and Stefanie are working with Nivishe and help alliance to improve the infrastructure and expand the training rooms to meet the needs of the community. The aim of help alliance is to provide initial support for a project so that the local people can continue it independently, without the need for long-term support from help alliance.

help alliance Communities
In addition to supporting selected projects, the help alliance also promotes the development of local volunteer communities made up of members of the Airline College. Around 30 communities are currently active at more than 70 Lufthansa Group locations, with leaders organising and supporting a wide range of activities. In Zurich, SWISS employees Stephanie Duttwiler and Manuela Kranz have taken on this role. Together with the entire help alliance Zurich community, their goal is to support social organisations and projects through volunteer work and to make a positive contribution to society.

Cooperation between SOS Children's Villages and help alliance
SWISS's long-standing partner SOS Children's Villages also congratulates help alliance on its 25th anniversary. During the anniversary month of September, the coin collection on board our SWISS flights was donated to a joint cooperation project in Cape Town and Ennerdale, South Africa. The joint project is a long-term initiative aimed at providing young people with access to vocational training and practical skills in order to improve their employment prospects and reduce unemployment. It also helps poorer families to complete their children's education.