Switzerland

Cintia Jaime at Basler Stiftungstag 2024
Switzerland

Small Foundations: Cintia Jaime and Prof. Georg von Schnurbein at Basler Stiftungstag 2024

August 27, 2024. At the 2024 Basler Stiftungstag, Cintia Jaime, Co-Founder and Executive Manager of the ES VICIS Foundation, had the honor of co-leading Workshop Nr. 2: “Management Challenges for Small Foundations” alongside Prof. Georg von Schnurbein, Director of the Center for Philanthropy Studies. This engaging session explored the distinct challenges faced by small foundations—those managing assets below CHF 10 million or operating with annual budgets under CHF 1 million. The discussion provided practical, innovative solutions to promote growth, ensure sustainability, and enhance the long-term impact of these organizations. Understanding the Challenges Small foundations play a vital role in driving meaningful change at a local and global level. However, their limited resources often present hurdles, including: Building Recognition: New foundations may find that simply having a strong purpose does not guarantee visibility or support. Strategic communication is essential. Establishing Legitimacy: Partnering with trusted organizations and stakeholders helps validate the foundation’s mission and strengthen its impact. Managing Dependency: Heavy reliance on a few donors increases financial vulnerability, highlighting the need for diversified funding. Defining Positioning: Small foundations must differentiate themselves in a crowded philanthropic landscape to ensure long-term relevance. Engaging Board Members: Recruiting and retaining voluntary board members can be challenging. Clear communication, structured agendas, and consideration of compensation can improve board effectiveness. Balancing Responsibilities: Unlike larger organizations, small foundations often concentrate fundraising, management, and operational tasks within a single role, straining resources. Exploring Solutions Through the workshop, several practical strategies emerged to help small foundations overcome these challenges: Flexibility: Remaining adaptable to new opportunities and changes in the external environment is key to staying resilient. Long-Term Planning: Succession planning for board members ensures continuity and stability. Identifying candidates early allows for smoother transitions. Peer Learning: Collaborating with other foundations provides valuable insights and shared experiences. Participation in associations and events fosters networking and mutual growth. Technological Support: Leveraging digital tools and support programs from tech companies can significantly enhance operational efficiency, often at reduced or no cost. ES VICIS Foundation’s Journey During the session, Cintia Jaime shared the journey of the ES VICIS Foundation, highlighting the challenges and innovative solutions that have shaped the organization’s evolution. From its inception, ES VICIS has focused on creating sustainable impact through collaboration, adaptability, and leveraging technology to amplify its mission. As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, small foundations have a unique opportunity to thrive by embracing innovation, building strong networks, and sharing knowledge. Together, we can strengthen the sector and empower communities worldwide.

Summer Celebration 2024
Switzerland

Reliving the Highlights of Our Summer Celebration

On Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting our Summer Celebration at the iconic Wilde Gallery in Basel. This special event brought together our cherished members to celebrate the remarkable growth of the ES VICIS Foundation—a success made possible thanks to your incredible support. Guests enjoyed a delightful evening of connection and inspiration, including a presentation by Gallery Director Simmy Swinder Voellmy on the captivating exhibition, “The Oculist Witness”, by South African contemporary artist Kendell Geers. This exhibition was featured for the first time in Basel during Art Basel 2024, adding a unique artistic touch to our gathering. We invite you to revisit some of the unforgettable moments from this event by watching this video.   A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this celebration truly special. Your support fuels our mission and drives us forward.

Advocacy, Switzerland

Discover the Life of Constanza Lisdero, Proud Resident of a Small Town near Basel and Platinum Member of the ES VICIS Foundation

In our campaign promoting life beyond city limits, we reached out to our Platinum member, Constanza Lisdero, for her invaluable perspective. She shared, ‘I live in a small town, population 11,000, and I,’ she humorously jokes, ‘this is my garden,’ as she gracefully strolls through the tranquil streets of her community, surrounded by the green landscapes of farmers. Constanza Lisdero, a dedicated Platinum member of the ES VICIS Foundation Partners program, generously shared her testimonial, offering insights into the fulfilling life she leads outside urban confines. Discover her testimony in this video  

CavaleriFlavio Fotografie
Advocacy, Switzerland

ESTACIONES RELOADED: Benefit Concert for ES VICIS Supported by the Basel Symphony Orchestra

Over 140 people attended the “ESTACIONES RELOADED” concert, featuring a repertoire by Vivaldi and Piazzolla, and enjoyed the brilliant performances of soloists Andrés Gabetta and Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, accompanied by members of the Basel Symphony Orchestra.   On October 26, the “ESTACIONES RELOADED” concert took place, showcasing the works of Vivaldi and Piazzolla. The exceptional performance was led by soloists Andrés Gabetta and Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, accompanied by members of the Basel Symphony Orchestra, including Akiko Hasegawa (violin), Vahagn Aristakesyan (violin), Yun Wu (viola), Judith Gerster (cello), and Philippe Schnepp (double bass), with the Basel Symphony Orchestra as the event’s principal sponsor. Andrés Gabetta, a renowned Argentinian baroque violinist, is celebrated for his extraordinary talent. His recording of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, performed with period instruments, was released by Sony. He also played “The Four Seasons” as a soloist during Vivaldi’s grand tour with Cecilia Bartoli in December 2018/January 2019. Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, born in Atessa on December 26, 1980, graduated with honors from the Santa Cecilia Academy of Music in Rome in 2007. Known for his refined musicality, Mario is an exceptional performer and has won numerous national and international competitions. In addition to the fantastic concert, attendees were treated to a welcome drink and a post-event cocktail. Launch of the Membership Program The ES VICIS leadership took the opportunity to share the foundation’s ongoing projects and vision, inviting attendees to join the neo-ruralization movement. During the event, the Membership Program was officially launched, offering an annual support system for ES VICIS initiatives and projects worldwide. Proceeds from ticket sales and additional donations will go towards expanding the impact of the “Welcome to My Village” program by the ES VICIS Foundation. To learn more about our membership program, visit esvicis.org/membership/.

Switzerland

Join our MEMBERSHIP program

By becoming a member, you play a key role in transforming rural communities. Together, we can create vibrant, sustainable villages where young people thrive and newcomers find opportunities to build better lives. We offer membership options to fit all budgets—starting from just the cost of two coffees a month, up to two coffees a day! Your support helps empower youth and families to shape a brighter future. Join us today and make a lasting impact.  

Switzerland

Johannes Matyassy Appointed President of the Board of ES VICIS Foundation

Johannes Matyassy has been appointed as the new President of the Board of ES VICIS Foundation, in recognition of his pivotal role in the development of the foundation’s pilot project. He served as the Swiss Ambassador to Argentina and later became a board member. His contribution has been important for the growth and expansion of the foundation, especially during a pivotal period for the model’s development in other countries. ES VICIS Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Johannes Matyassy as the new President of the Board, recognizing his pivotal role in the foundation’s development and growth. Since its inception, Matyassy has been a cornerstone, serving as the Swiss Ambassador to Argentina. His contributions were instrumental in fortifying the relationship with the Argentine government during the foundation’s pilot phase. Subsequently, Matyassy joined the board of ES VICIS Foundation, leveraging his extensive diplomatic experience from various positions. His expertise became particularly valuable during a crucial phase in the foundation’s development in Argentina and other countries, contributing significantly to the success and expansion of its projects. With his profound understanding of government affairs in the countries where we focus our objectives, coupled with his dedication to our development model addressing the urban-rural challenge, Matyassy brings a unique set of skills crucial to guiding the foundation in its next phase of growth and community outreach. The ES VICIS Foundation board expresses gratitude for the vision and leadership Matyassy brings to his new role and eagerly anticipates ongoing collaboration. Together, we aim to achieve a positive and sustainable impact in the communities served by the foundation while ensuring the sustainability of ES VICIS Foundation.

Basel Peace Forum 2022
Advocacy, Switzerland

A Breakthrough with Voices from All Sectors Questioning Urbanization as the Sustainable Model for Humanity and Nature

Cintia Jaime, co-founder of the ES VICIS Foundation, was invited as a panelist at the Basel Peace Forum, where the foundation also led a workshop. Experts from diverse sectors gathered to explore alternatives for enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainability. Urbanization was critically examined, with the central question: Is the urbanization model, as outlined in the UN’s Quito Agenda of 2016, truly the ideal habitat for humanity?   20 January 2022, Basel – At the 5th Basel Peace Forum, the ES VICIS Foundation hosted a workshop titled “New Approach to Ruralization: The Realistic Alternative to Overcrowded Cities.” Participants included government officials, international organizations, academics, and sustainability experts. The event explored solutions to the problems caused by urban overcrowding, such as dangerous public spaces, poverty, high energy consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The ES VICIS Foundation advocates for innovative ruralization, revitalizing and repopulating villages by harnessing latent opportunities and promoting sustainable migration from cities to rural areas. This approach aims to support rural renewal and unlock economic potential through technology and innovation. Over 25 countries have expressed interest in the model. Johannes Matyassy, Deputy State Secretary at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the event for its innovative approach to addressing the challenges posed by urbanization. Cintia Jaime, co-founder of ES VICIS, emphasized the importance of questioning urbanization and proposing a new approach that harnesses technology and the global opportunities of digitalization to enrich rural areas. Daniel Winzenried, co-founder of ES VICIS, highlighted the opportunity to address territorial inequalities and the vulnerabilities of metropolitan areas exposed by the pandemic. Experts like Carlos Álvarez Pereira – Executive Director of The Club of Rome- also stressed the need to rethink urbanization and embrace revitalizing and repopulating villages as a tool for climate resilience and community well-being.

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