Our approach
The future now, for children worldwide. We believe we can create a better tomorrow for all children by investing in emerging solutions today.
What are we doing?
To fulfil our vision, we are seizing the big opportunity to improve the wellbeing of children and young people in vibrant, growing secondary cities around the world, by connecting diverse players in innovative urban environments, investing in digital solutions and jointly developing scalable and sustainable business models.
Geographical focus
We see secondary cities as a missing area in most international development thinking and planning. By 2030, one in three of the world’s population will be living in an urban environment. The result of this rapid expansion of cities is likely to increase the number of disadvantaged children due to unsafe infrastructure and inadequate services. We therefore focus our investment in secondary cities.
Over time, we intend to implement programmes in selected countries worldwide.
Currently, Fondation Botnar focuses on the four priority countries listed below:
The selection of priority countries is based on the following criteria:
- Children’s needs with regard to health, nutrition, and education
- Digital networking and innovation preparedness
- Government preparedness for sustainable implementation and scaling of proven solutions
- Influence of country on the region
- Special attention is given to medium-sized, rapidly growing cities (“secondary cities”)
Tanzania
The city of Tanga matches our criteria and we believe there is a great opportunity to test scalable solutions here. Our focus here is creating partnerships with local and national stakeholders.
Romania
This was the home country of our founding family. According to the statutes of the foundation and in keeping with the Botnar Legacy, we are required to have a presence here.
Switzerland
Fondation Botnar’s headquarters is based in Basel, Switzerland, home of the life sciences. Our work here is solely based on cutting edge research that can help us bring solutions to children and adolescents.
Israel
Coming from a Jewish heritage – though non-practising – the Botnar family had strong ties to Israel. According to the statutes of the foundation and in keeping with the Botnar Legacy, we are required to have a presence here.
