12th Swiss Ethics Award

The Swiss Ethics Prize, organized by the Vaud University of Applied Sciences (HEIG-VD) and launched for the first time in 2005, is an independent prize to promote ethical, sustainable development and social responsibility strategies of companies or public organizations.

The philosophy of the prize is that such measures should become self-evident and obvious to everyone. For this purpose, concrete projects are awarded that encourage others to further develop or imitate them.

In 2017, the following organizations were honored:

Social Fabric - sewing for the cause

The migration crisis leads many people to come and find asylum in Europe. It is difficult for these people to integrate into the labour market. In 2015, the Zurich company Social Fabric had the idea to propose sewing and language courses. These courses are first of all for asylum seekers and for the refugees and it teaches them to elaborate T-shirt, rummage compartments and other durable bags.

Migrants are now strengthening their skills to produce ecological and responsible products.

FOVAHM - Martigny Boutique Hotel

Persons with an intellectual disability are often less visible in society. Their relationship skills are little valued. The foundation FOVAHM wishes to change this. That is why it has opened a hotel-restaurant in Martigny, where essentially "feeble-minded" people work. The house has a Minergie label. In the in-house workshop, customers can also have products made.

Hunziker site - more than just living

In 2007, 50 housing cooperatives in the city of Zurich decided to join forces to do more than just "live". Their goal: to design and build sustainably and to focus on participation. Today, 1'200 people live here, coming from different social environments (students, disabled people, etc.). This neighbourhood not only respects the objectives of the 2000 Watt society, but it adapts dynamically to the expectations of its inhabitants.

You can find out more about this year's Swiss Ethics Award at here