Together against poverty in Switzerland
Migros Culture Percentage is committed to social cohesion. For example, it supports people and organisations involved in exploring new ways of dealing with poverty in Switzerland and works to further the participation in society of people with experience of poverty.
What it's all about
Poor in rich Switzerland? Unfortunately, this is the reality for around 702,000 people living in poverty in our country. A further 638,000 people live just above the poverty line (Federal Statistical Office, 2022). 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. Not everyone has money for the indoor swimming pool, a concert, a public transport ticket or joining a sports club. The many prejudices and taboos surrounding poverty also contribute to the suffering and withdrawal from society of those thus afflicted. That is how poverty can increase loneliness and social isolation.
Our goal
Many people and organisations work to reduce the hurdles facing those experiencing poverty in our society and to enable their voices to be heard. Through their commitment, they make a significant contribution to cohesion in Switzerland.
Migros Culture Percentage supports such initiatives and projects. This aligns with its commitment to ensuring that all people can participate in social life and feel that they belong. It also promotes projects that contribute to raising awareness of poverty in Switzerland - together with people who experience poverty themselves.
Our commitment
Call for proposals "Participate!": 33 funded projects
In this call for proposals, Migros Culture Percentage was looking for projects aimed at young people aged 13 to 25 as well as young people and young adults at risk of poverty.
From June to September 2024, a wide range of projects and offers came in from all parts of the country. This has led to Migros Culture Percentage committing CHF 426,000 to 33 diverse projects from all over Switzerland.
Picture: atd.ch
In dialogue with people with experience of poverty – you can play a part too
The association ATD Fourth World Switzerland association is committed to overcoming poverty in Switzerland - together with those people afflicted by it. In a cooperation project, ATD Fourth World and Migros Culture Percentage are providing a new perspective on poverty in Switzerland to anyone who is interested.
Would you like to work with others and tackle the issue of poverty? Do you want to get involved and do something against social exclusion? Find out more here:
Grants from Migros Culture Percentage
Migros Culture Percentage supports charitable organisations committed to cohesion in Switzerland.
Are you one of those people committed to dialogue and meeting others? Do you strengthen the social participation of people through your offer and are you committed to harmonious coexistence?
If so, apply for a grant now.
Poverty in Switzerland
702,000 people in Switzerland are classified as being affected by poverty. A further 638,000 people live just above the poverty line.
CHF 2,284
per month is the average poverty threshold for a single person.
CHF 4,010
per month is the average poverty threshold for a family with two children.
270,000
children and young people in Switzerland are poor or directly threatened by poverty.
Where is the poverty threshold?
The poverty threshold in Switzerland is based on the guidelines of the Schweizerische Konferenz für Sozialhilfe (Swiss Conference of Welfare Organisations) (SKOS). In 2022, it averaged CHF 2,284 per month for a single person and CHF 4,010 for a family with two adults and two children. Anyone who has less is affected by poverty.
This money must be used to pay for daily necessities (food, clothes, transport costs, etc.), rent and ancillary costs. Health insurance premiums, taxes, maintenance and social security contributions are calculated separately.
Who is at risk of poverty?
The cause of poverty is often a critical life event - such as a divorce, job loss, illness or an accident. It can affect anyone. However, some people are at higher risk of poverty: single parents and large families, for example.
People with no education and people from a migration background are also particularly at risk of poverty - and women more so than men. Children from families affected by poverty are at increased risk of also being affected as adults.
Sources: Federal Statistical Office and Caritas Zurich (2024)
Contact
Do you have any questions about our commitment to the topic of poverty or would you like to become involved? Anna Frey, Head of Topic and Projects Social Affairs, will be happy to help: anna.frey@mgb.ch
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