Ecology

Climate protection, soil protection and biodiversity conservation

In the Ecology programme, the Volkart Foundation supports non-profit organisations, initiatives or projects in Switzerland that are committed to climate protection, soil protection and/or the protection of biodiversity.

With our commitment, we want to help Switzerland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, to increase the appreciation of the value of our soils and to protect this important resource and to protect, preserve, and strengthen our biodiversity.

We focus our commitment on Switzerland and on local partners.

The Volkart Foundation emphasises systemic change so that the causes of societal challenges can be addressed sustainably. We promote ambitious and innovative projects, interdisciplinary ideas, and bold approaches. We also support pilot projects, offer the  «Projekte mit Wirkung» training course, provide operating subsidies, and promote organisational development. In order to achieve a major leverage effect, we look to cooperate with other foundations, raise awareness of initiatives, and actively contribute towards an exchange of knowledge.

What we do not support:

• Issues that do not directly fit in with the above-mentioned focus areas and the Volkart Foundation’s overall strategy
• Projects with a predominantly profit-orientated background
• Scientific research
• Individuals
• Scholarships
• Publications and exhibitions
• Awards and prizes
• Infrastructure projects
• Conferences and congresses
• Political party projects
• Animal and species conservation