About us
The Swiss Sustainability Challenge (SSC) is a support program organized by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and Pax, which has been making a measurable contribution to sustainable development since 2017. The call for participation is aimed at individuals or teams who promote social and environmental sustainability with a project, regardless of whether it is a start-up or a non-profit venture and whether the projects are still at the very beginning or have already taken the first steps towards implementation. Whilst the focus of the former Swiss Student Sustainability Challenge was primarily on students, the SSC is open to all young people and their ideas.
The SSC team actively supports and encourages our participants to develop their ideas into projects and then successfully implement them. They benefit from one-to-one coaching with our experienced experts, free participation in our seminars and workshops, and the opportunity to network with other teams. The three most compelling projects will be honoured with the Pax Sustainability Award by a jury. In addition, as part of the 2026 anniversary celebrations, a special prize for the circular economy will be awarded, sponsored by BaselCircular.
Goal
Promoting sustainable project ideas of young people and thus contributing to sustainable development is the goal of the Swiss Sustainability Challenge. The better we promote innovative ideas and projects of start-ups or nonprofit organizations, the more impact we can achieve. We therefore support and accompany innovations that address social and environmental challenges and thus contribute to sustainable development with everything it takes to make a project successful.
Process
Offer
The Swiss Sustainability Challenge offers participants support worth around CHF 70,000, of which CHF 27,000 will be awarded as prize money to the top four projects. Participants benefit from a comprehensive support programme, and can freely choose which services to make use of, depending on their individual level of knowledge and needs. All support services are free of charge for participating teams.
Seminars, Workshops & Networking
Participants can attend seminars and workshops on a range of topics relating to innovation for sustainability, the circular economy, and business creation in order to develop their skills in specific areas. In addition, we organise events where participants can exchange ideas with one another and forge valuable contacts with experts and other key figures.
Coaching
Because every project is unique, so too are our coaching sessions. They form the core of the support provided by the Swiss Sustainability Challenge. Each of the ten finalist projects therefore receives five hours of coaching. The winners of the first prize and the Circular Economy Special Prize each receive an additional ten hours of coaching. Our coaches, who come from a variety of specialist fields, support participants with specific issues.
Sustainability Innovation Canvas
To help participants systematically develop their project, the Sustainability Innovation Canvas is available; this tool enables sustainability-focused projects to be presented in a structured manner. The Canvas brings together elements and insights from existing tools and, through an impact-based approach, specifically incorporates environmental and social aspects and impacts, thereby addressing the project’s societal benefits. Of course, teams in the final round may also submit a ‘traditional’ business plan or project plan instead. However, care must be taken to ensure that the key aspects of the project listed in the Sustainability Innovation Canvas are addressed, as these must also be presented and explained in the final presentation. Finalists have two months to prepare a detailed description of their project. The final jury will assess the teams on the basis of this document and the final presentation.
Pax Sustainability Award
The Swiss Sustainability Challenge honors three winning projects with the Pax Sustainablity Award.
Special Prize Circular Economy
As part of the anniversary year, a special prize for contributions to the circular economy will be awarded, sponsored by BaselCircular.
Evaluation
The Swiss Sustainability Challenge’s evaluation framework is based on the Sustainability Innovation Canvas developed by the FHNW, which brings together elements and insights from existing tools – namely the Sustainable Innovation Plan (Daub et al. 2020), the Business Model Innovation for Sustainability Canvas (Wyss et al., 2023), the Sustainable Business Canvas (Tiemann & Fichter, 2016), the Sustainable Business Model Canvas (Bocken et al., 2018; Case, 2017), DIN-SPEC 90051-1 (DIN, 2020) and the Social Reporting Standard (Social Reporting Initiative, 2014). The Sustainability Innovation Canvas is a tool for the systematic (further) development of young organisations at various stages of development and with different business models (e.g. non-profit, for-profit, social start-ups), and focuses in particular on the environmental and social impact of the projects.
The participants will be assessed by the jury on the basis of five criteria themes using a five-point scoring system:
The assessment is initially carried out individually by all members of the jury. However, as experience has shown that the weighting and significance of the five criteria vary from project to project and are also assessed differently by the jury members, the scores awarded serve merely as a basis for discussion. The jury reaches a consensus decision on which teams will progress to the final following the first phase, and on the three winning projects, following a discussion.
Sustainability
An understanding of interconnectedness and flourishing
Sustainability describes the ability of people and all forms of life to ‘flourish’ in the long term (John Ehrenfeld). The focus is not merely on avoiding harm, but on consciously creating the conditions under which all life can thrive – both today and in the future.
We view sustainability as a network of interconnections: the economy, society and the environment are inextricably linked. All human activity is embedded in and dependent on our planet’s natural resources.
Ecological embeddedness
Nature forms the basis of all life. Protecting biodiversity, the climate and ecosystems, and using resources responsibly ensure the conditions necessary for life, in all its diversity, to endure and continue to develop.
Social cohesion
Sustainability means strengthening relationships – between people, and between people and the environment. Equity, inclusion, health and participation are essential for a society in which people can fulfil their potential.
Business and the economy in service of life
Business and the economy are a means of enabling a good quality of life. Sustainable business practices create value within planetary boundaries and help to strengthen social and ecological systems, rather than placing a burden on them.
The Swiss Sustainability Challenge supports projects, initiatives and start-ups that take a holistic approach to creating and shaping these connections. The focus is on developing ways that not only cause less harm, but also actively help people, society and the environment to thrive in the long term.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developed by the United Nations and enacted in 2015, are a universal call to action to improve the social condition of people on Earth while protecting the planet so that future generations can still live humanely. The 17 goals have been adopted by all UN member states and are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out a 15-year plan to achieve the goals. The SDGs cover topics and issues from all three dimensions.
The Pax Sustainability Award
The participants of the Swiss Sustainability Challenge benefit from the support of experienced coaches in individual consulting sessions, as well as free seminars and workshops. The winning projects are awarded the Pax Sustainability Award and receive the following benefits:
1st place 10’000 CHF
of which CHF 6'000 are paid out in cash, CHF 2'000 in the form of a professionally produced video and CHF 2'000 in the form of additional 10 coaching hours
2nd place 6000 CHF
of which CHF 4'000 are paid out in cash and CHF 2'000 in the form of a professionally produced video
3rd place 4000 CHF
of which CHF 2'000 are paid out in cash and CHF 2'000 in the form of a professionally produced video
Payment of the prize money is only possible to the extent of the share intended as a cash amount and is made to a legal entity (company, association, etc.) entered in the commercial register or a sole proprietorship with an entry in the commercial register. Registration can take place before or during the Challenge, but must be completed before the prize money is paid out.
Special prize
Circular Economy
With the support of BaselCircular, the Swiss Sustainability Challenge can expand its offering in the field of the circular economy in a targeted manner. This includes topic-specific workshops, mentoring and coaching, the further development of tools, and a special prize for an outstanding project in the field of the circular economy.
Special prize 7’000 CHF
of which CHF 5,000 is a cash payment and CHF 2,000 is in the form of an additional 10 coaching hours