Partner initiative: the Swiss Climate Foundation

Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:11

Swiss Re is one of the founding partners of the Swiss Climate Foundation, established to support climate-friendly projects at small and medium-sized companies.

Source: https://www.swissre.com/sustainability/sustainable-operations/partner-initiative-swiss-climate-foundation.html

Funding Details

Funder

Swiss Climate Foundation (Klimastiftung Schweiz)

Funding Goal

Support Swiss and Liechtenstein SMEs in developing and scaling innovative climate-friendly products that help avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

Funding Amount

Up to CHF 200,000 per project, covering maximum 50% of total project costs. Foundation distributes approx. CHF 3 million annually. (up to 200.000 €)

Deadline

March 1 and September 1 (twice yearly) (Fixed)

How to Apply

1. Create an account on the application portal (funding.klimastiftung.ch). 2. Submit application in English, French, or German before March 1 or September 1. 3. A foundation advisor provides a detailed project discussion. 4. The foundation board makes funding decisions twice yearly (June for March submissions, November for September submissions). 5. If approved, a custom funding agreement is drafted. 6. Payment is released according to defined milestones.

Target Region

Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Contact

Swiss Climate Foundation, Mythenquai 50/60, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Phone: +41 (0)43 285 44 80. Application portal: funding.klimastiftung.ch

Last Checked

2026-03-12 03:41

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an SME based in Switzerland or Liechtenstein with maximum 250 employees
• Company must not be in initial startup phase
• Less than 50% ownership by larger corporations or public sector organizations

Project Scope

• Project must be implemented mainly in Switzerland or Liechtenstein
• Project must help avoid greenhouse gas emissions through technical innovation aimed at market entry

Required Documents

• Application must be submitted before project implementation begins, via portal at funding.klimastiftung.ch

Constraints

• Excluded: ICE improvements, EV development, capacity building, carbon offsetting
• Maximum grant CHF 200,000 covering max 50% of project costs

Summary

The Swiss Climate Foundation (Klimastiftung Schweiz) is a non-profit foundation established in 2008/2009 by Swiss Re and other financial services companies. It redirects surplus CO2 levy rebates from partner companies toward climate innovation projects by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Today, 32 partner companies support the foundation, which distributes approximately CHF 3 million annually. The foundation provides grants of up to CHF 200,000 (maximum 50% of total project costs) to SMEs with up to 250 employees that are developing technically innovative climate-friendly products aimed at market entry. Projects must be implemented mainly in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and must help avoid greenhouse gas emissions. The foundation explicitly excludes internal combustion engine improvements, electric vehicle development, capacity building/awareness initiatives, and carbon offsetting schemes. Applications are accepted twice yearly with deadlines on March 1st and September 1st. Decisions are communicated in June and November respectively. The application portal accepts submissions in English, French, or German. Over its 17-year history, the foundation has distributed CHF 42 million in grants, supporting approximately 220 innovation projects.

Historical Context

Founded in 2008/2009 by Swiss Re and 10 other partner companies. Now supported by 32 partner companies. Over 17 years, distributed CHF 42 million in grants supporting approximately 220 innovation projects. Swiss Re has sponsored the Foundation's managing director position since establishment.

Sources

• https://www.swissre.com/sustainability/sustainable-operations/partner-initiative-swiss-climate-foundation.html
• https://www.klimastiftung.ch/en/
• https://www.klimastiftung.ch/en/about-us/
• https://www.klimastiftung.ch/en/submit-an-application/

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