CFAs: Incentive Program for Sustainable Development (Switzerland)

Innovative partnerships, methods and tools supported by the Incentive Program for sustainable development 2024-2025 promote either the achievement of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda as a whole, or only certain aspects of it. Projects must, however, take into account the ecological, economic and social dimension of the sustainability in their implementation.

Program Objectives

• Through the Incentive Program, the Federal Office for Territorial Development (ARE) provides assistance with the launch of projects from cantons, municipalities or third parties and whose achievement contributes to the implementation of the objectives and strategic axes of the Strategy for sustainable development 2030 (SDD 2030). It specifically targets projects that are innovative and reproducible in other municipalities, cantons, regions or organizations and which take into account the preferential themes of SDD 2030 “consumption and production sustainability”, “climate, energy and biodiversity” and “equal opportunities and social cohesion”.

Theme

• The thematic axis of the 2024-2025 support program is “Together for greater impact”. This thematic focus concerns SDG 17, which seeks to strengthen the means to implement implements the 2030 Agenda and partnerships for sustainable development.
• The aim of this theme is to join forces and work in a targeted manner in order to take momentum in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Mid-term reports and analyzes of the 2030 Agenda have shown that on a global scale, and also in Switzerland, only a few sustainability objectives can be achieved by 2030. To accelerate, they must act in a manner more effective and achieve greater impact. Partnerships, coherent consultation and coordination as well as effective communication can significantly strengthen significantly the impact of current and future efforts in favor of sustainable development.
• This focuses on the following three priority themes:
  • sustainable consumption and production
  • climate, energy and biodiversity
  • equal opportunities and social cohesion

Focus Areas

• They are looking for innovative projects in the following areas:
  • Partnerships for sustainable development:
    • New innovative and interdisciplinary collaborations between different groups of interest (public authorities, research, private sector, civil society).
    • Use of synergies and common resources for concrete initiatives, exchange of experiences, access to science, technology and innovation, data or offers.
  • Targeted implementation methods for sustainable development:
    • Innovative instruments, processes or methods for implementation strategic and coherent and a focus on the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
    • Methods and projects for targeted management of interactions and objective conflicts between the SDGs and for the reduction of “spillover effects”, generally unintended negative consequences of the actions abroad, which may hinder sustainable development at the international level.
    • Innovative methods for skills building or continuing education within institutions with a view to implementing development objectives sustainable. 
    • Innovative ways to measure impact.
    • Concepts or new ideas to strengthen sources of financing for sustainable development through information or financing methods (in partnership) previously unpublished.
  • Generating a large-scale effect through innovative information work:
    • Innovative and effective campaigns, communication methods or initiatives aimed at large target groups.
    • Methods for extending or disseminating proven initiatives and tools.

Funding Information

• The maximum amount of the financial contribution is CHF 20,000.-.
• The contribution cannot exceed 50% of the budgeted costs. The project must therefore be able to guarantee own financial resources and/or financing by third parties. The AER reserves the right to grant only part of the requested amount.
• The amounts granted by the Confederation must be returned in the event of interruption final form of the project and if they were not used in the implementation of the project.

Which projects cannot be supported?

• No funding is provided for already completed projects or construction infrastructure (for example: buildings and outdoor spaces, solar installations, bridges, hiking trails, etc.), nor to publications or public events general, research projects or studies that treat the theme in a manner theoretical. Recurring operating costs, periodic contributions to maintain a project are also not supported. No contribution can be made to projects that have already been supported and an organization cannot receive two fundings consecutive years of the Incentive Program. The allocated amount cannot be used for lucrative purposes. Only projects that take place in Switzerland are supported (cooperation projects international development are not taken into account).

Who can request a contribution?

• The funds will be granted exclusively to projects originating from public administrations (cantons, municipalities), private actors or organizations from civil society in Switzerland. No project of individual people, nor any concrete project of construction, energy or infrastructure will not be taken into account.
• Experience shows that there is a strong demand for financial contributions in the framework of the program to encourage sustainable development. It is recommended not to Submit projects only if they match the criteria and theme of the current year.

What are the criteria to be met?

• To obtain a contribution, a project must meet the criteria below:
  • The project is innovative, it has exemplary value and it is reproducible within other municipalities, cantons, regions or organizations;
  • The link of the project with the thematic focus “Together for greater impact” as well as that the contribution to the 2030 Agenda is clearly demonstrated;
  • The project conducts in-depth reflection on taking into account the three dimensions sustainable development (ecological responsibility, social solidarity and efficiency economic);
  • The project produces long-term effects and takes into account the needs of generations future;
  • The results are tangible and simple to communicate;
  • The impact of the project is significant;
  • The project is currently in the start-up phase or begins in early 2025 and will ends no later than December 2025;
  • Funds are not granted to exclusively sectoral projects (e.g. Environmental Protection);
  • Project managers undertake to participate in the two exchange workshops of experiments organized by the ARE.

For more information, visit Federal Office for Territorial Development ARE.