Teamwork for true transformation: Highlights from Colombia
Loreto Martí, project manager at the Limmat Foundation, recently returned from an inspiring trip to Colombia. She visited the supported projects and saw first-hand how they are transforming lives. More than a routine follow-up, this journey was a valuable opportunity to connect with allies, listen, learn, and share perspectives for the future. Loreto greatly appreciated the warmth, professionalism, and spirit of collaboration. She describes her trip as follows: “Conversations with our local partners, other allies, and relevant actors in the education sector focused on three major themes that define our strategic direction: Capacity and Professionalization: In a transforming philanthropic environment, strengthening institutional capacity, processes, and human talent is essential to stay aligned with emerging trends in donations. Coordination and Alliances: Creating genuine alliances that strengthen institutions, programs, and projects. Strategic Vision: Developing strategies aimed at the true transformation of the education sector across the entire region. I’m also taking with me a phrase I heard frequently during my trip – the well-known African proverb cited by Nelson Mandela, which perfectly captures my experience: ‚If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.‘“ The Limmat Foundation thanks all partners in Colombia for their warm welcome and immense commitment. Loreto returned with renewed energy as well as the conviction that teamwork is the path to achieving lasting impact and real transformation. Weitere Nachrichten 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025
30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose
Recently, the Limmat Foundation hosted the final of the Esmeralda Charity Cup’s 30th edition at Golf Club Wylihof. Under sunny skies, players gathered for a joyful day in support of street children projects in Colombia. Winners: René Sigrist & Susanna Skoupy both from GC Sempachersee. The team achieved first place with 46 net points Their prize: a journey to Colombia in 2026, where they will visit the projects financed by the golf tournament. The award ceremony was accompanied by a speech of Beatriz Helena Calvo Villegas from the Colombian Embassy and the Colombian band Joricamba, which brought the rhythm of Colombia to Switzerland. When asked participants what excites them most about the Esmeralda Charity Cup (ECC), they shared heartfelt reflections: Vicky & Heini: “Supporting projects in Colombia and staying connected with the Limmat Foundation. We participate since more than 25 years and enjoy it every time.” Nelsi: “Bringing people together to make a positive impact – just like the Foundation’s slogan: Bridging worlds. As a Colombian, the ECC connects me to my homeland.” Their wish for the future? “That this charity event continues and inspires more golfers so that many people experience the joy of doing good through their game.” The Limmat Foundation thanks every player, sponsor and supporter who has made 30 years of the Esmeralda Charity Cup possible. This event builds bridges and changes the lives of people in need. Stay tuned for the next golf tournament in 2026! MORE NEWS Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2024 • 04.07.2025
Charity concert for street children of Colombia
Exactly 20 years ago, the Limmat Foundation organized a tour for a Colombian orchestra. This consisted of 36 former street children who wanted to give something back through their musical abilities. They demonstrated their talent at a total of five venues and treated the audience to an unforgettable evening with a mix of classics like Dvořák and Latin American sounds. The former street children learned to play their instruments at a vocational school for music in Colombia run by the Fundación Servicio Juvenil. The audience was not only very impressed by the orchestra’s music, but also by the 12 dancers who accompanied the orchestra and showed off their passion for salsa. The proceeds from the tour went to day centers for street children in Colombia, which were located in various locations throughout the country. There, the children and teenager were not only able to play, but also received valuable lessons that prepared them for a better life. To mark the 20th anniversary of this unforgettable event, the entire team of the Limmat Foundation would like to remember these wonderful moments with a few photos. The heart-warming community that developed between the Colombians and Swiss people will never be forgotten. MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2024 • 04.07.2025
International Youth Day
Today is International Youth Day. This is a perfect occasion to present one of the Limmat Foundation’s supported programmes in Brazil, called CEAP. This project, run by the local partner Centro Educacional Assistencial Profissionalizante (CEAP), promotes underprivileged youth by providing technical courses in business administration, computer networks, and information technology. A volunteer campaign, run in collaboration with CEAP’s partner companies, resulted in the implementation of more than 70 initiatives in 2024. These included, for example, workshops that facilitated the exchange of technical expertise, giving students practical insights into the business world. The success of the project “CEAP” is also confirmed by the positive feedback from those involved, like Arthur: “At CEAP, I not only learned technical skills, but also how to communicate and solve problems. That made all the difference when I applied for my first job.” MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2024 • 04.07.2025
Annual Report 2024
The Limmat Foundation’s Annual Report 2024 is published! Find out which projects and activities the Limmat Foundation supported during the last year. Manitra Rakotoarivelo, project director of our local partner, came all the way from Madagascar to share some valuable insights of the two programmes CERES and SESAME. Have also a closer look into the history of Alberto Ciferri, one of the Limmat Foundation’s donors. He died at the age of 94 years by the end of 2024. Alberto’s passing marks the end of an era for the Foundation, but his spirit will remain at the heart of our work. The Limmat Foundation is profoundly grateful for his trust and is committed to continuing his bequest. You are interested to check out more? Follow the links to the Limmat Foundation’s Annual Report 2024: 👉 English 👉 German MORE NEWS 30. Esmeralda Charity Cup – Golfen mit Sinn 30. Esmeralda Charity Cup – Golfen mit Sinn • 23.10.2025 Benefizkonzert für Strassenkinder aus Kolumbien Benefizkonzert für Strassenkinder aus Kolumbien • 04.09.2025 Internationaler Tag der Jugend Internationaler Tag der Jugend • 12.08.2025
Change on the Foundation Board
After almost 25 years of dedicated service on the Foundation Board of the Limmat Foundation, Marguerite Zimmermann has decided to step down. Through her own educational projects in developing countries, she has contributed with great expertise to project-related decisions over the years. Her interest in the project management of the Limmat Foundation also led to a visit to the projects in Greece that were being supported at the time. The entire Limmat Foundation team would like to express its sincere thanks to Marguerite Zimmermann for her continuous commitment to people in need. Renate Schnyder Plattner will succeed her on the Foundation Board. She is an entrepreneur and owner of ESSENCA, a consultancy boutique for strategic communication and philanthropy. At the interface between business and philanthropy, she brings perspectives together and supports companies, organisations as well as foundations in their brand development, strategic orientation and day-to-day work. Renate Schnyder Plattner holds a MAS in Communication Management and Leadership (ZFH) and a Swiss Federal Diploma in Marketing Planning. She has many years of experience in management and consulting roles, particularly in marketing, communication as well as branding. In the foundation board, she brings her strategic perspective and her commitment to effective philanthropic action. The Limmat Foundation is looking forward to the collaboration and wishes Renate Schnyder Plattner much joy in her new role. MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025
Guided tour through the exhibition of Karl Lukas Honegger
During the past few weeks, the staff member of the Limmat Foundation, Thomas Buck, has given six guided tours through the exhibition of the artist Karl Lukas Honegger. The guided tours were organized by the neighbourhood association Fluntern. The permanent exhibition of the painter and sculptor Karl Lukas Honegger (*1902-†2003) offered participants more detailed information about his sculptures, drawings, paintings and ceramics. In addition, the guests learnt many authentic stories from the artist’s life through the responsible employee of the Limmat Foundation. Thomas Buck had already worked with the artist during his lifetime, which resulted in a wonderful connection to him and his art works. If you are interested in a guided tour through the exhibition of Karl Lukas Honegger at the Limmat Foundation, please get in touch with Thomas Buck (buck@limmat.org or 044 266 20 30). MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025
Continuing education for local partners
Since 2022, the Limmat Foundation has been operating a partner network for organizations carrying out social projects. This was initiated by the former project director Ignasi Fainé together with his colleague Ana von Bock. Twice a year, the Foundation hosts interactive online sessions on relevant topics, offering professional development opportunities for staff of social organizations and supporting their institutional empowerment. Expert speakers are invited to share insights on specific topics. The presentations are followed by interactive discussions in small virtual breakout groups or in a plenary session, fostering deeper reflection and exchange. The most recent session took place on the 9th of April 2025 and was led by Rafael Medeiros, CEO of comunicação aberta. His presentation, “Social Impact with Artificial Intelligence,” offered a comprehensive introduction to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Third Sector. Through clear explications and practical examples, participants deepened their understanding of key concepts such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Science, and Generative AI. The session also addressed challenges, strategies and opportunities for effectively integrating AI into social impact work. If you are interested in joining the next online session or to access the recordings, which are available after some days of the session, please contact Ana von Bock (vonbock@limmat.org). MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025
New bus for people with disabilities
In 2024, the Limmat Foundation financed a bus for the transportation of children, youth and adults with disabilities in Greece. At the end of last year, project manager Stavros Lapsanidis handed it over to the organization EPS (Open Door) in Athens. Every day, the institution picks up more than 200 people from their homes and takes them to the facility in buses. There, they are cared for, trained and treated by specialists. After lunch, a driver takes them home again in the afternoon. This service gives the parents time to relax and recharge their batteries for the care they provide. The previous bus was replaced after more than 25 years. EPS maintains and looks after the vehicles in an exemplary manner so that they last as long as possible. There are plans to replace another very old bus in 2025. The Limmat Foundation has set up a fund for this purpose. Various donors have already contributed 35% of the 100’000 euros needed for the new bus. If you also want to support this meaningful project and herewith the lives of severely disabled people in Greece, please make your contribution with the remark “EPS Greece” (https://www.limmat.org/en/donation-account/). You can find further information on the following website: https://www.eps-ath.gr/en/. MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025
16th Workshop for umbrella foundations
Last week, the 16th workshop for umbrella foundations took place at the Université Fribourg-Pérolles (UFP). A big thank you to the institute VMI, which provided the premises. More than 20 umbrella foundations met on this occasion to discuss the topic “Umbrella foundations – Participation of the Donors”. As every year, the workshop was organised by the Limmat Foundation in collaboration with proFonds. At the beginning, François Geinoz, Executive Director of the Limmat Foundation, presented the master thesis by Alexander Berchtold from UFP about “Fondation abritée ou Fondation d’utilité publique indépendante? – Une Analyse Comparative des Coûts”. Afterwards, Isabel Probst, Director of Partnerships of the Limmat Foundation, gave an insight on her experience concerning the participation of donors, followed by the legal perspective, presented by Christoph Degen, Executive Director of proFonds. After a joint lunch, Elisabeth Hasse from the Center for Philanthropy Studies (Ceps) presented the statistics on the survey results of the Swiss umbrella foundations. The program also included a presentation by Natalie Joho, Deputy Executive Director of the ZKB Philanthropie Stiftung, who provided useful insights on the integration of charitable foundations into an umbrella foundation. The Limmat Foundation would like to thank all participants for their valuable contribution and is already looking forward to the next umbrella foundation workshop in 2026. MORE NEWS 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose 30th Esmeralda Charity Cup – golf with purpose • 23.10.2025 Charity concert for street children of Colombia Charity concert for street children of Colombia • 04.09.2025 International Youth Day International Youth Day • 12.08.2025