Published on 25 August 2023

Financial aid for projects on gender equality in the workplace

Switzerland does not allow discrimination based on gender in the workplace. This is stipulated by the Federal Act on Gender Equality. The Confederation supports projects that aim to promote true gender equality in the workplace in practice and awards financial aid of around 4.5 million francs annually for this purpose. The Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) is responsible for awarding this financial aid.

The Confederation pursues three goals in order to achieve true gender equality in the workplace in practice:

  • Women and men are represented in all sectors, professions and at all hierarchical levels. Young people choose their profession from a wide range of options, free from gender stereotypes.
  • Employers support the balance between work and family life and enable flexible working conditions.
  • Women and men are equal in terms of recruitment, pay, parenthood, training and career development. Working life is free from discrimination on the basis of gender.

De facto equality

The concept of «de facto equality» is enshrined in Article 8(3) of the Federal Constitution and Article 1 of the Federal Act on Gender Equality. Formal equality refers to equal treatment in law, while de facto equality refers to equality implemented in everyday life.

The Confederation supports these projects

Public and private non-profit organisations can submit applications for financial aid. The projects must contribute as specifically and sustainably as possible to true gender equality in the workplace in practice. The Confederation gives precedence to supporting projects that pursue one of the two following priorities:

  • Offering products or services for enterprises, for example with the aim of achieving equal pay or promoting the balance between work and family life.
  • Promoting equal participation of women and men in occupations and sectors where one gender is under-represented and in occupations with a shortage of skilled workers.

Order of priorities for the awarding of financial aid under the Gender Equality Act:

The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) has extended the order of priorities for the awarding of financial aid under the Gender Equality Act until 31 December 2025.

How to apply for financial support for your project idea

The FOGE supports suitable projects with an annual sum of around 4.5 million francs. The instructions explain how applicants must proceed in detail.

Guide: Apply for financial aid to promote gender equality in the workplace

Selected projects

The FOGE supports numerous projects every year. You can find all projects supported to date in the Project collection. 

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Our newsletter on financial aid for greater gender equality in the workplace provides you with regular information about new developments that are relevant to the submission of applications and about approved projects.

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Contact

Marianne Ochsenbein
Financial aid specialist
T +41 58 464 05 15
marianne.ochsenbein@ebg.admin.ch

Markus Studer
Financial aid specialist
T +41 58 462 35 19
markus.studer@ebg.admin.ch

Gilles Meylan
Financial aid specialist
T +41 58 464 05 16
gilles.meylan@ebg.admin.ch

Publications

All publications on financial aid