Partner network Switzerland

Velafrica is supported by a committed and diverse partner network in Switzerland. This network consists of collection, processing, and logistics partners.

Collection Partners

More than 300 collection partners serve as year-round drop-off points for donated bicycles. This network is made up of bicycle shops, recycling and disposal centers, railway stations, police departments, municipal services, private individuals, insurance companies, professional integration organisations, and correctional institutions. Together with collection events, pick-up campaigns, and property clearances, more than 40,000 bicycles are collected every year.

Are you looking for a collection point? Our map shows you all collection points near you.

Logistics and Processing Partners

From the 300 collection points, the donated bicycles are delivered to more than 30 processing partners throughout Switzerland. These are dedicated organisations in the fields of professional integration and correctional services. They largely handle transport from the collection points to the workshops, supported by Velafrica, volunteers, and third-party logistics providers.

Once in the workshops, the bicycles are repaired according to Velafrica’s quality standards or processed into spare parts.

The meaningful and varied work is highly valued by workshop participants: from logistics, dismantling, and repairs to container loading, there is something for every skill set. The organisations can also fulfil a wide range of mandates through this work: assessment, reintegration, training, and employment.

As compensation for their important work, Velafrica’s processing partners receive a symbolic payment for each bicycle. In addition, they are allowed to sell up to 10% of the collected bicycles in Switzerland to help cover their workshop costs. Each bicycle sold in Switzerland therefore helps finance the refurbishment and shipment of several bicycles to Africa.

Every year, our partners prepare more than 25,000 bicycles for export and produce thousands of spare parts. These spare parts are essential so that bicycles in Africa can be repaired again and remain in use for a long time.

After repair, the front wheel, pedals, and saddle are removed from each bicycle to ensure safe transport in shipping containers. This allows up to 500 bicycles to fit into a 40-foot container. The containers are loaded either directly at a processing partner’s site or at the Velafrica warehouse. Since 1993, more than 350’000 bicycles have been exported thanks to our outstanding network.

Becoming a Partner

Would you like to become a processing or logistics partner? We are always looking for new partners to support us with the transport and processing of bicycles.

Michelle Harnisch looks forward to hearing from you and will be happy to answer any questions.

More than 40 committed organisations

Would you like to get to know the Velafrica network better? Click on the markers on the map below. You can also download a complete map as a PDF here.