Long-term joblessness can have a devastating impact on a person's mental and physical state. Lack of social recognition, social isolation and health problems become part and parcel of their daily lives. HEKS/EPER therefore runs labour market integration projects in several cantons.
HEKS/EPER's «MEL» programme offers training for intercultural interpreters and mediators (IIMs) as well as a continuing training programme for trained IIMs and specialists in the fields of health, education and social services.
In the Cantons of Aargau, Basel City and Rural Basel, the «HEKS-Wohnen» programme assists people who are homeless or facing a life crisis in coping as best they can with daily life and leading an autonomous life.
HEKS/EPER offers workshops and courses for parents with a foreign mother tongue and pre-school children in several cantons. The programme is designed to improve the chances of children with an immigrant background in the Swiss education system, strengthen families and help expand their network of contacts.
In Romania HEKS/EPER supports social and economic inclusion for elderly and care-dependent persons, victims of domestic violence and the Roma population.
HEKS improves the living conditions of the rural population in Georgia and Armenia through income-generating activities and by strengthening civil society.
HEKS/EPER supports development cooperation, humanitarian aid and church cooperation projects in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. HEKS/EPER runs its own Coordination Offices in 16 priority countries or primary-focus regions.
HEKS/EPER maintains an intensive exchange of experience and knowledge with the Reformed Churches in Eastern Europe, Italy and the Middle East and supports their social projects and strengthen church community life.
HEKS/EPER supports rural communities in securing long-term access to land and resources – a prerequisite for alleviating hunger and poverty, but also to preserve identity and lifestyle.
Linguadukt - HEKS Interpreter Service in Basel (both sides)
Linguadukt serves as a language bridge between people speaking a foreign language and qualified staff from the health, social and education sectors. Linguadukt means to help persons concerned to overcome the language and culture barriers.