A meaningful partnership

SONNE-International contributes actively to achieving the SDGs. This is only possible with strong cooperation partners and a shared vision.

Since its foundation in 2002 by Erfried Malle and Dr Susanne Prügger, SONNE-International has pursued a clear vision: justice and equal opportunities for all people, regardless of where they were born. It all began in Bangladesh, but SONNE-International is now also active in Ethiopia, Myanmar, India and Malawi, with branch offices and partner organisations. Our mission is to contribute to a fairer world through education, health programmes and the advancement of women.

SONNE key topics, vision and mission

SONNE-International in figures

SONNE-International has been operating as a non-profit organization since 2002. A total of 164 people are currently working in Austria and our project countries of Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Malawi.

ctivity Map SONNE Worldwide EN_c_SONNE-international 2025 revenue

7 good reasons for a co-operation with SONNE-International

Expertise and experience: Over 20 years of experience in international cooperation and implementation of sustainable initiatives and projects in five project countries.
A strong network of funding agencies: Many years of cooperation with public funding organisations (Austrian Development Agency, Austrian Ministry of Sport, etc.), renowned foundations (Else Kröner Fresenius Foundation, Red Chairity, etc.), private companies and donors are clear evidence of trust and quality.
Conceptual quality assurance: Professional project management and monitoring, investment in local capacities, efficient structures and processes as well as sound risk assessment ensure high-quality project development and implementation. Certified with the Austrian Donation Seal of Approval, we stand for transparency and sustainable impact.
Efficient administration: With administration costs of less than 10%, funds are used efficiently and with the lowest possible administrative expenses for sustainable projects. Through an extensive and long-standing network of corporate partnerships, running costs (e.g. office space, printing costs) can be kept to a minimum.
Focus on localisation: Direct implementation by our SONNE branches and long-term investment in strengthening our local partner organisations. This enables effective project work that is based on the needs of the communities and benefits from strong local knowledge and ownership. We are passionate about strengthening our local teams and working in partnership on an equal footing. A central role of the team in Austria is capacity building in our project countries.
Marginalised regions and remote project locations: We go where help is lacking and work in hard-to-reach and severely neglected communities and regions, such as nomadic communities in the remote Afar region of Ethiopia or the neglected mountainous regions of Bangladesh.

Foundation Partners:

“Since 2011, the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation has been supporting a health project by SONNE-International in the Afar region – one of the hottest and most inaccessible places in the world. Due to the extreme conditions, the Afar population has practically no access to health care. The primary objective of the project is to improve maternal and child health – and thereby significantly reduce morbidity and mortality among the Afar people, especially among women, children, pregnant mothers and newborns. Before the start of the project, there was no medical care for pregnant women and new mothers, and no post-natal care. Essential components of the project are therefore the sustainable development and expansion of basic medical care, especially for pregnant women, mothers and children, as well as further training measures for medical nursing staff.”

Dr. Carolin KrönerProvince of Styria – FairStyria – Development Cooperation Department 9

Institutional Sponsors:

“During my business trip to Ethiopia, I was able to convince myself of the excellent work of SONNE-International. I travelled to the Afar region in the northeast of the country, which is characterized by extreme heat and drought. SONNE-International supports the nomadic population there in the areas of literacy and health care. The activities are geared to the needs and living conditions of the Afar population and, above all, to empowering the traditionally disadvantaged Afar women.”