About us

The Foundation’s mission is to support people from Romania and abroad who need economic and social help. Our projects address marginalized and vulnerable groups. For their implementation, we collaborate with various national and international non-governmental organizations and partners.

HEKS/EPER’s Christian values assume respect for people of all cultures and religions.

HEKS/EPER helps people in need, regardless of race or religion.

Cooperation with Romanian partners who share the same values. Creating relationships, cooperation and coordination within the project and program implementation.

Attracting, coordinating and managing – in partnership with Romanian or foreign public authorities, with public or private entities – of internal and international funds, granted for the social and economic development of Romania, with priority, but not exclusively, in the following areas:

The development of the social sector, being aimed at increasing the standard of living of disadvantaged social classes;

Improving the living conditions and social integration of elderly and sick people, people with physical or mental disabilities, Roma and other vulnerable groups.

The HEKS/EPER Romania Foundation was founded by HEKS/EPER (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz) – the Aid Foundation for Protestant Churches in Switzerland.

HEKS/EPER Switzerland has been present in Romania since 1977, when it undertook a series of humanitarian actions in support of the earthquake victims. Since 1989, HEKS/EPER has continued its activity by constantly supporting the communities in our country. At the beginning, the HEKS/EPER program in Romania was focused on humanitarian aid (1990-1991), then on rural development (1992-2007) and the development of social services (1990-present).

The opening of a regional office in Cluj-Napoca marks a new stage and confirms the commitment of HEKS/EPER in Romania.

HEKS/EPER Romania – DG ECHO Certified Partner

Aiming to expand and enhance its potential as a humanitarian actor, in November 2023, HEKS/EPER Romania Foundation became the first NGO in Romania to be certified as a partner of DG ECHO [Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)].

This partnership certifies that the organization based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, is in line with EU and international standards for implementing humanitarian aid projects and is eligible to apply for and obtain funding in the 2021-2027 programming period.

Our team

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.

Emanuel Tapu

Country Director

Johan Dawood

Financial Director

Evelyn Speich

Program Manager

Humanitarian Aid

Alina Ciorba

Desk Officer

Humanitarian Aid

Flaviu Tomescu

Logistics Officer

Humanitarian Aid

Ioana Ardelean

Program Manager

DEVCO

Ioana Modi

Project Officer

DEVCO

Sara Bivolaru

Project Officer

DEVCO

Valentin Filip

Project Manager

DEVCO

Irina Turcanu

Communication Officer

Adela Popovici

HR & Compliance Officer

Stefan Mihai Tapastau

Procurement & Logistics Assist.

Humanitarian Aid

Loredana Laza

Financial Officer

DEVCO

Bianca Afrim

Financial Officer

Humanitarian Aid

Monica Draganel

HR Officer

Humanitarian Aid