Guide: Apply for financial aid to promote gender equality in the workplace
The Confederation supports projects on gender equality in the workplace with an annual sum of around 4.5 million francs. The Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) is responsible for awarding the financial aid. In this guide, applicants will find information on the submission of projects and on the implementation and completion of their project.
The Confederation gives precedence to supporting projects that pursue one of the two priorities set out in Order of priorities 2021–2024:
- 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 there is a shortage of skilled workers.
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.
You can find an overview of previously supported projects by topic in this Project collection on working life financial aid.
You can use the assessment criteria set out in the Guidelines on financial aid to promote gender equality in the workplace to assess whether your project is eligible for financial support. You can also have your idea for a project assessed by a FOGE specialist.
Optional: Input of a preliminary project
In a preliminary project, you can draw up a plan for a project and clarify its requirements and feasibility. Preliminary projects are supported with a maximum of 15,000 francs, with applicants bearing 25 per cent of the total costs themselves. Preliminary projects can be submitted at any time.
Submitting applications for financial aid
To submit an application, you will need to complete the following forms and send them to the FOGE:
Gesuch für ein Projekt. Beilage 3: Budget - Erwerbsleben
Formular
Gesuch für ein Projekt. Beilage 4: Projektorganisation - Erwerbsleben
Formular
Budgetierungsvorgaben für Hochschulen
Anleitung
Formular - Gesuch für ein Projekt - Finanzhilfen Erwerbsleben
Formular
Gesuch für ein Projekt. Beilage 1: Ziele und Massnahmen - Erwerbsleben
Formular
Deadlines
Applications for financial aid for projects can be submitted by 31 January and 31 August each year.
Application review and decision
The FOGE will review your application and you will receive a decision within four months. The FOGE may consult other specialists and request further information from you.
Implementation of the project
During implementation of the project, certain requirements arising from the Subsidies Act and the decision of the FOGE must be met. The most important of these requirements are set out in a guide:
Completion of the project
No later than three months after conclusion of the project, you must submit the Final report form and the Final account form. The FOGE provides information for the public about supported projects and requires a brief description of the project and its results for the project collection. A Guide to drafting the publishable final report is available for this purpose.
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
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.