«Get connected!» call for applications
The most important key points
Topic / section
Region
Entry / entry deadline
23.06.2025 - 31.10.2025
Funding type
Financial support between CHF 2'000 and CHF 10'000
Get connected! Building digital skills. Fostering participation.
Digitalisation is making rapid progress and changing our everyday lives. Yet some people struggle to keep up with the profound changes – people at risk of poverty, in particular, are often left behind. A lack of digital skills or limited access to devices makes many aspects of life more challenging – from finding a job to maintaining social connections.
The Migros Culture Percentage is supporting projects with between CHF 2000 and CHF 10,000 that teach digital skills to financially disadvantaged people of all ages through the ‘Get connected!’ programme – in a practical way, in their local environment and on equal terms.
We are looking for initiatives that promote digital inclusion for people affected by poverty: for example, associations, digital cafés, neighbourhood centres or peer-to-peer support programmes.
Requirements
- non-profit organisations (e.g. associations, cooperatives, foundations)
- public authorities together with non-profit organisations
If:
- They are engaged in the subject of this call for applications,
- through their project, they reach people at risk of poverty or aim to reach and involve them more effectively,
- in the planning and implementation of their project, they address the hurdles and barriers facing people experiencing poverty, as well as looking at their potential.
- and it is important that the project is implemented together and on an equal footing with people at risk of poverty.
All key information about our criteria and requirements is outlined in the guidelines for the call for applications.
- A maximum of one project or offer can be funded per organisation.
- A maximum of two projects per organisation/association per year are supported with Migros Culture Percentage contributions (with the exception of the following funding categories: coaching, project space and mini-grants from "ici. here together.")
What we support
Support is available for the following:
- Further development of existing projects and offers. Especially if this means that people at risk of poverty can be reached and involved even better.
- Implementation of existing projects and events running until at least the middle of 2026.
- Development and implementation of new projects and offers.
- Local, regional and national projects from all regions of the country
Support is not provided for the following:
- Individuals, including those seeking financial assistance
- School, vacation and leisure camps
- Formal education
- Pure infrastructure projects without project relevance
Deadlines and decisions
Applications can be submitted via the online application portal from 23 June to 31 October 2025.
There are two submission deadlines and two decision dates for this call for applications. The organisations are free to choose which of the two submission deadlines they wish to apply by.
Decision date mid-September 2025 (submission deadline: 15 August 2025)
Decision date end of November 2025 (submission deadline: 31 October 2025)
A jury will examine all applications and decide which projects will be funded.
The funding decisions will be communicated by mid-September 2025 (or by the end of November 2025 if submitted after 15 August 2025).
Funding type
The financial contributions range between CHF 2'000 and CHF 10'000. We offer meetings and learning opportunities for funded projects as required to promote exchange.
Contact
Isabelle Ruckli, Project manager Social Affairs, will be happy to help. Write to isabelle.ruckli@mgb.ch
Infocalls
Do you have any questions about the call for applications and the criteria? Are you unsure whether your project is suitable for the call for applications? Or do you have further questions about the topics of poverty sensitivity or the inclusion of people affected by poverty in your projects?
We are available on the following dates to answer any questions and concerns about the call for applications you may have:
- 1 July 2025, 1.00 p.m.–1.45 p.m. (Teams-Link)
- 4 August 2025 (info to follow)
- 7 October 2025 (info to follow)
The info calls will be held in German. Questions can be asked in French or English. If you have any questions in Italian, please contact Isabelle Ruckli (isabelle.ruckli@mgb.ch).
Please read the guidelines about the call for applications carefully before the info call and prepare your questions so that we can give you the best possible answer.
FAQ – Questions and answers
Digital competences are the knowledge, skills and attitude required to independently manage digital tasks in everyday life and at work. This includes using digital devices, programmes and content safely and securely, applying them for creative purposes and critically scrutinising information read online.
Which competences count as basic digital skills and how they are defined depends heavily on the context as well as social and individual requirements (see www.kompetence.ch).
Lack of or inadequate basic digital skills can:
- make it more difficult to participate in social and everyday life (e-banking, digital counters, social media, finding accommodation, etc.)
- impair communication with circles of friends, family and acquaintances (e.g. exclusion from chat groups)
- restrict the procurement of information (e.g. media content that moves to the Internet)
- make professional integration more difficult (digital application processes, requirements for employability, etc.)
- restrict the use of political rights (e.g. exclusion of certain groups due to lack of digital access)
Around 1,404,000 people in Switzerland are affected by or at risk of poverty – equating to around 16% of the Swiss population. In Switzerland, a person is considered poor if their income is not sufficient to cover their living expenses. However, poverty often also means being excluded from community life.
Migros Culture Percentage is committed to cohesion in Switzerland and supports people and organisations working to achieve equal opportunities and an inclusive society. The rapid advance of digitalisation brings many opportunities for society, but not everyone benefits equally. Over 30% of the Swiss population lack basic digital skills (see Mobiliar DigitalBarometer 2024). People at risk of poverty are more likely to be affected and run a greater risk of not keeping up with digitalisation.
The 'Get connected!' call for applications supports projects that help people at risk of poverty to develop digital skills and participate in everyday digital life.
Learn more about the Migros Culture Percentage’s commitment to addressing poverty.
