2025 ici Award
All projects and organisations that were supported by “ici. here together.” in funding cycles I or II or by a Changemaker Grant now have the chance to win an ici Award.
First award from “ici. here together.”
For the first time ever, “ici. here together.” is presenting ici Awards to exemplary projects.
- We’ll be giving away a total of CHF 100,000.
- Across eight categories, the jury of “ici. here together.” will be handing out awards to 16 projects or organisations.
- The winners of each category will receive CHF 8,000, while the runners-up will each receive CHF 5,000.
- The ici Awards will be presented on 14 November 2025 during the 2025 community event at Papiersaal in Zurich.
And because we would like you to have a say, too, there's an additional community category. Together, you will choose the recipient of the Community Award on site from among the 16 winners. This will enable you to give special recognition to the organisation of your choice.
Why an award from “ici. here together.”?
“ici. here together.” has been supporting associations and organisations with grants and expert advice since 2022. The many initiatives that it supports bring together people with different cultural and linguistic experiences. They promote social integration and participation in Switzerland.
With the new ici Awards, we want to recognise initiatives that make a significant contribution to these goals:
- They strengthen encounters between people with different cultural and linguistic experiences.
- They see cultural diversity in Switzerland as a strength and a source of potential.
- They raise awareness about breaking down discriminatory attitudes and prejudices.
- They are committed to ensuring that everyone can participate equally in social, economic and cultural life, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background.
- In short: the ici Awards honour projects and organisations that are committed to cohesion and better coexistence in Switzerland.
Who is nominated?
All the 198 projects and organisations that received support from “ici. here together.” in funding cycles I and II and within the framework of Changemaker Grants are automatically included in the selection process.
- 92 projects in funding cycle I from 2022 to 2024
- 83 projects in funding cycle II from 2023 to 2024
- 23 Changemakers from 2025 to 2027
Criteria and process
The participating projects and organisations will be nominated by the “ici. here together.” jury in one of eight categories::
1. Community-led projects: the projects are initiated and implemented by the community itself; the community decides.
2. A high level of multilingualism: they facilitate access because different languages are actively used and promoted.
3. Intersectional perspectives: they address discrimination and make different perspectives visible in a targeted fashion.
4. Empowerment for refugees: they support refugees with integration and enable participation and access to education and resources.
5. Empowerment for women and girls: they practise sexual equality and strengthen the personal development and skills of women and girls.
6. Empowerment for families and children: they take the needs of multilingual families into account and promote self-determination.
7. Empowerment for the local population: they use local resources and networks to strengthen cohesion.
8. Particularly innovative, creative, artistic approaches: they overcome barriers and create new avenues for people with different cultural and linguistic experiences.
The “ici. here together.” team will nominate the candidates. The jury will decide which 16 projects or organisations will receive prize money. You will be entered for the awards automatically and needn’t do anything. Interested in taking part? Write to us!
Two projects or organisations will be awarded in each of the eight categories. The winners will receive CHF 8,000. The runners-up will receive CHF 5,000. You are free to use the prize money for your association's activities.
The selected projects and organisations will be notified by email in mid-October. The 16 awards will be presented in person at the community event. Please ensure that your project is represented at the event. The prize money will be paid out by the end of 2025.
Award ceremony at the 2025 community event
The awards will be presented on 14 November 2025 during the community event at Papiersaal in Zurich.