The foundation supports individuals whose main and permanent place of residence is in Switzerland: these are primarily:

  • Swiss citizens
  • Holders of a settlement permit (C)
  • Recognised refugees

With the proviso of «helping others to help themselves», its support comes in the form of grants for initial training as well as contributions for essential retraining.

What applicants can expect from us

  • simple application procedure: no unnecessary formalities
  • Case looked at as whole; we are not afraid of unusual projects 
  • Help with breaking free from a difficult situation or making a fresh start 
  • Trust and confidentiality
  • Support that is well thought through: what will happen at the end of the sponsorship?

What applicants should not expect from us

  • Replacement for government benefits (social assistance or cantonal grants) or maintenance support 
  • Support for applicants that have the potential to carry out the project by themselves
  • Support if the applicant’s motives are not clear to us
  • Support which will merely improve the person’s situation and not help them to break free or make a fresh start
  • Support that is just a drop in the ocean, i.e. support that is not sustainable and does not constitute «helping others to help themselves».
  • Scholarship applications for higher education studies (universities, universities of applied sciences): As a rule, the Foundation does not accept applications for scholarships. Instead, we cooperate with EDUCA SWISS, which grants student loans. Please contact them directly with your funding request. In exceptional cases, you may send us an application if the repayment of a student loan is impossible or unreasonable in the long-term. This may result, for instance, from special health or family reasons.

What we expect from our applicants

  • Active cooperation to improve their own situation / personal initiative
  • Transparency before  / during/ after sponsorship

Report at the end of sponsorship stating what has been accomplished and how the goal of «helping others to help themselves» was achieved.

Examples

Mrs. S. (45 years) is a single mother of three children who are still going to school. The family depends on social assistance. Because of an allergy, Mrs. S. can’t work in her profession as a hairdresser. She hasn’t been working since the birth of her children. Mrs. S. wishes to be financially independent again and to become an office employee with a commercial diploma. The foundation atDta has paid the training costs. Today, Mrs. S. works in her new job.

Mrs. A. (58 years) is a social pedagogue. After several years of unemployment, Mrs. A. takes the decision to work freelance and to create her own small institution where mentally disabled people can spend their holidays. The foundation atDta has paid a part of the start-up financing and granted her a long-term, interest-free loan.

Mrs. Z. (35 years) is a single mother and lives in a social institution for drug dependent persons with children. Her foreign professional diploma is not recognised in Switzerland. Mrs. Z. has managed to overcome her drug addiction and to work again. She loves sport and wanted to become a fitness instructor. The foundation atDta paid the training costs. Today, Mrs. Z. lives in her own apartment and works as an instructor in a fitness studio.