Impulse Grant: ‘Volunteering’

The Impulse Grant is the second funding scheme under the Join-in initiative on the topic of ‘Volunteering’. Following the ideas competition, which led to 15 projects from across Switzerland receiving funding, the Impulse Grant is aimed at smaller projects that can be implemented quickly and easily.

• The application comes from a charitable, non-profit organisation (e.g. association, foundation, etc.).

• At least five volunteers are active in the organisation. These may be involved on a long-term basis or only show up for short-term assignments.

• Funding is available to organisations in all areas of voluntary work (environment, education, culture, leisure, sport, social issues, democracy, etc.)

• The organisation must be based in Switzerland and its activities offered to the population of Switzerland.

• Individuals

• Profit-oriented projects and organisations

• Umbrella organisations at the national level

• Informal groups, informal volunteering

• State institutions which are not working with a non-profit organisation

You can use your Impulse Grant to boost your volunteers’ motivation, recognise their commitment or bring an idea to life, even if you have a limited budget. You can use the Impulse Grant for:

• Supporting projects and initiatives run by volunteers. For example: minor purchases, events, venue hire, flyer printing, fees, signage.

  A specific idea could be: use the grant to print leaflets for an event at a cultural centre run by volunteers.

• Strengthening volunteers’ skills and competences and show appreciation and recognition for their commitment. For example: workshops, venue hire, catering costs at exchange meetings.

  A specific idea could be: use the grant to run a workshop for volunteers on how to handle difficult conversations.

• Strengthening the coordination of volunteers. For example: further training, fees, advice from external specialists.

  A specific idea could be: use the grant to seek advice from an external expert on how to improve the onboarding process for volunteers

• General operating costs without project relevance

• Labour costs during normal operations

• Individual financial assistance

• Projects or organisations which pursue ideological, undemocratic or unethical goals

• Projects with no direct link to voluntary work

Volunteering is:

• Work carried out by individuals or groups for the benefit of society, without pay.

• Volunteering benefits people who do not live in the same household.

The following situations do not constitute volunteering:

• Unpaid work that is not for the common good

• Personal leisure activities (hobbies)

• Support for people living in their own homes (e.g. care work)

• Paid work that goes beyond a token contribution (e.g. travel expenses)

Each organisation may receive funding for a maximum of two different projects per calendar year through these funding schemes run by Migros Culture Percentage (Social and Join-in Initiative) and the ‘ici. here together.’ programme:

• Projects and initiatives

• Organisational development

• Thematic calls for proposals

• Ideas competition

The following offers are excluded. An organisation may receive one additional grant per calendar year from the following schemes:

• Coaching for social initiatives

• Project room

• Thank-you dinner for associations

• Impulse Grants

• Mini-Grants from ‘ici. here together.’

1. You submit an application: You can submit your application at any time between 23 November 2026 and 30 June 2027 via the online application portal.

2. We assess your application: Applications are assessed and selected on the basis of the criteria set out in the guidelines.

3. We let you know: No later than 9 weeks after we receive your application, you will be notified of the funding decision by email.

Please submit your application by the relevant deadline and you will receive a decision on your funding application no later than three weeks after that deadline. The submission deadlines are:

• 3 January 2027

• 31 January 2027

• 28 February 2027

• 4 April 2027

• 2 May 2027

• 30 May 2027

• 30 June 2027