The Future Now
For Children Worldwide

The Future Now
For Children Worldwide

Fondation Botnar is creating a better tomorrow for all children by investing in emerging solutions today.

About

Fondation Botnar acts as a catalyst, connecting diverse partners and investing in scaleable AI and digital innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in growing urban environments around the world.

Our work

AI for child health and wellbeing

We see an opportunity to overcome the gap created by global shortages of health workers by investing in AI and digital solutions to accelerate the transformation of modern healthcare as it moves from the hospital to the home. We work with diverse partners to integrate these solutions into urban spaces.

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Cities fit for children

We are seizing the opportunity inherent in secondary cities to influence and support systemic transformation into smart urban areas fit for children. We see ourselves as a catalyst for change, bringing diverse local partners together with young people to transform secondary cities into thriving and safe urban spaces.

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Learning and collaboration

We collaborate with a diverse range of international partners, funding research worldwide and creating learning hubs in key secondary cities where talent development, innovation and creativity are enabled. To sustain and scale proven solutions, we promote and engage in new business models and innovative financing.

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Our approach

Our approach is emergent and entrepreneurial, highlighting a vision and setting a clear objective for the foundation. Our journey is from a grant maker to a change maker. 

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Impact themes

We have a clear focus for investments. In order to create lasting impact we have selected four impact themes as the core areas where our funding allocation will be made over the coming years.

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Finance & governance

We are a member of SwissFoundations, and we commit to best practice governance in line with the principles and recommendations of the Swiss Foundation Code.

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The Botnar legacy

The foundation was founded in 2003 by Marcela Botnar to continue the philanthropy of herself and late husband, Octav. We remain true to our humble family roots by maintaining their philanthropic legacy and continuing a number of targeted legacy investments.

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The Feed

The Feed is made up of thought leadership, upcoming events, and latest news.
Find out what Fondation Botnar and the sector is saying about the future of healthcare.

Digital Collaboration in Health and Life Sciences

Fondation Botnar is participating in a consultation on how we can enhance digital collaboration in health and life sciences.
BLOG: Research for adolescent health is a force for global development

Dr. Aline Cossy-Gantner, Chief Learning Officer at Fondation Botnar shares insight on why a focus on adolescents is critical for sustainable development as Fondation Botnar announces its first call for research proposals on adolescent health and wellbeing.
2018: Our year in review

From welcoming the new management team, to unveiling new partnerships in digital health, our CEO Stefan Germann reflects on some of the foundation's biggest achievements in 2018.
BMJ Comment: Global health disruptors

"We must ensure a digital future that is safe and inclusive for all" say Flavia Bustreo, Siddhartha Jha, and Stefan Germann, writing exclusively for BMJ Opinion.

Research Call on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing

Fondation Botnar launches call for research projects to better understand the determinants, mechanisms and status of the health and wellbeing of adolescents in rapidly growing secondary cities in low- and middle-income countries.
Fondation Botnar appoints Professor Marcel Tanner to its Board

Fondation Botnar is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Marcel Tanner, an epidemiologist and public health specialist, to its Board to be its expert on public health research with a focus on children, effective November 8, 2018.