PROJECT-SUPPORT SWITZERLAND

Country / Place

Switzerland, Basel-City

The half-canton Basel-City borders the canton of Basel-Country to the south, Germany to the north and France to the north-west. The city canton is the smallest and at the same time the most densely populated Swiss canton, and consists of the city of Basel and the political municipalities of Riehen and Bettingen.

General

DaN Basel does not want to look the other way when they meet people in need - DaN stands for ‘service for the next’. By providing unbureaucratic help and kindness, they want to send a clear signal of humanity.

Since 2008, people in need have been receiving a bag full of food and everyday products. What began as a small project now forms the basis for a comprehensive and varied range of services in the Basel region: food distribution, clothing boutique, social services, integration support, and (pre-)Christmas events. The current number of clients supported makes DaN Basel the largest single project of its kind in north-west Switzerland.

Areas and beneficiaries

Food
They started out with five bags full of food, bulging with food and everyday products that they donated themselves. Today, the association distributes up to 680 bags per week, still close to bursting, thanks to the support of many donors and organisations such as Schweizer Tafel and Tischlein deck dich. Every Tuesday, registered recipients (Caritas ID) receive food for a small contribution towards costs. The food is donated and would otherwise be thrown away. In this way, the organisation also saves perfectly good food from being destroyed.

At DaN Basel, people meet one another in a friendly atmosphere, which is why having a coffee together after the food distribution is part of the programme. Social isolation and loneliness are counteracted. The exchange between different cultures promotes integration.  

Social services
As the number of bags full of distributed food grew, so did the range of services available to people in need. Clients receive support in everyday life (finding accommodation, moving homes) and integration assistance (language courses, official business). Social inclusion is made easier for individuals and families through competent, continuous support and guidance - through practical, hands-on help. They are motivated and trained to improve and change their life situation and lifestyle in a holistic way.

Boutique
Two years ago, the DaN boutique was added as a further service. The clothes drop-off takes place weekly and is soon to be extended to include another afternoon. Here, people on low incomes look for and find clothes, shoes, fabrics, bed linen, and much more. The clothes can be purchased for a symbolic amount.  

Christmas
DaN wants to give people a wonderful Christmas celebration. They invite people, especially families with children, to a Christmas party every year on 24th December. Foreigners in particular experience an important part of Swiss culture in the form of Christmas. Together, everyone experiences a contemplative time of peace and love.

Volunteering
The organisation has grown steadily in recent years. More than 120 volunteers now support the individual DaN projects; around 50 of these volunteers are themselves in need. Volunteer work by people unemployed, socially disadvantaged, and others, promotes the self-esteem of those involved. People with few social contacts have become fellow players - helpful, reliable and responsible.

The organisation also offers individuals, teams or companies the opportunity to help out for a day and thus do a day's social work.