The idea of solidarity between mountain and valley led to the founding of the Swiss Sponsorship Association for Mountain Communities in 1940 and has been a recurring theme in its daily work ever since. Its aim is to reduce the gap between prosperous and economically disadvantaged regions of our country and to help ensure that mountain regions remain habitable, managed and cared for by providing project-related aid to financially weak municipalities, cooperatives, corporations, etc.

Thanks to the great solidarity of the Swiss people, applications from mountain communities in the following areas can be supported on an ongoing basis:

• Infrastructure (e.g. water and wastewater facilities, power supplies)
• Measures to maintain and preserve our Alps (e.g. alpine buildings, meliorations)
• Protective measures against natural hazards (e.g. reforestation, avalanche and stream barriers, forest maintenance)
• Clean-up and reconstruction work after natural disasters
• Education of the younger generation (e.g. kindergartens, school buildings)
• Creating and maintaining sustainable jobs

The last two points in particular deserve a great deal of attention in the mountain regions. In order to ensure that our Alpine region continues to be cared for and used, every effort must be made to ensure that the younger generation does not leave their homeland. Mountain children also have wishes and dreams, just like children from the lowlands. They all hope for an active and carefree future.

What does it take? First and foremost, the chance to develop their own talents and become independent individuals. This includes a good education and the prospect of a solid job in the region.

Therefore, a broad range of educational opportunities in their own region is essential for young mountain people. If it is possible to keep higher education institutions in the valleys or bring them there, then smaller and medium-sized companies will also be increasingly interested in well-qualified employees, stay in the Alpine region or decide in favor of these locations. After all, the establishment of promising technical colleges also motivates entrepreneurs when choosing a location.

Where does the money go?

The Swiss Sponsorship for Mountain Communities finds financially strong municipalities and benefactors from the lowlands for mountain communities in need. Donors have the opportunity to select a suitable project for support at any time. This often results in long-term sponsorships. On the other hand, the sponsorship provides project-related direct aid from the funds of its annual fundraising campaign and legacies.

Every year, the Swiss Sponsorship Association for Mountain Communities processes around 350 applications received from municipalities and public bodies. On the basis of a questionnaire, project documents, financing documents, the local chronicle, etc., an objective picture of the financial situation of the applicants, the subsidy possibilities and the eligibility of the projects for support is drawn up in close cooperation with the responsible cantons, municipalities and related organizations. The projects under consideration are examined on site by specialists from the Executive Board and independent experts. Only once all the documents required for a proper decision have been compiled is a decision made on whether to provide assistance.