The Novae Foundation supports initiatives that advance sustainable agriculture in Switzerland.
Are you developing an innovative solution to promote more sustainable agriculture, better utilize local products, or reduce food waste?
The Novae Foundation is launching its first call for projects aimed at producers, artisans, and stakeholders in the food supply chain in Switzerland!
Our goal is simple: to support concrete initiatives that promote local and sustainable food, bring agricultural producers and institutional food service consumers closer together, and help build the food system of the future.
Why this call for proposals?
The transition to a more sustainable food system cannot happen without the producers, artisans, and companies who are innovating every day on the ground.
Through this call for proposals, the Novae Foundation aims to accelerate the development of initiatives that provide concrete solutions to the challenges facing our food system:
- develop local and sustainable agriculture,
- strengthen local supply chains,
- improve the environmental impact of food products,
- reduce food waste,
- promote more responsible logistics
- and improve working conditions for those involved in the food supply chain.
Our goal is to turn promising ideas into projects that can have a lasting impact in Switzerland.
What kinds of projects are eligible for support?
Projects must meet at least one of the following objectives:
- A project aimed at expanding the selection of products sourced from local farms and promoting the local aspect, intended for kitchen staff and consumers in institutional dining,
- A project aimed at improving the environmental impact of local food products or services,
- A project aimed at replacing industrial or imported products with locally made, custom-crafted products that offer better quality, composition, and ingredient traceability,
- A project aimed at developing an optimized and sustainable local distribution system between producers/artisans and consumers in the institutional food service sector,
- A project aimed at improving working conditions for producers, artisans, and logistics professionals in the food supply chain,
- Projects aimed at reducing food loss or waste throughout the supply chain (reusing unsold food, new preservation methods, etc.).
Allocation
A total budget of 50,000 CHF has been made available.
The jury may award all or part of this funding to one or more projects.
Why apply?
In addition to funding, the winners will receive operational support from Novae Restauration, including restaurant trials, introductions to kitchen staff, and assistance with communications, search engine optimization, and visibility.
Participating in this call for proposals also means expanding your network and accelerating the rollout of your initiative.
Who is eligible to apply?
The call for projects is open to any organization based in Switzerland (companies, farms, cooperatives, associations, artisans, or food logistics providers) engaged in activities related to the production, processing, packaging, or distribution of food products.
How can I participate?
Step 1: Submit an application (maximum 5 pages).
Step 2: Shortlisted projects will be the subject of a discussion or a visit with a jury member prior to the final selection.
Detailed Schedule
- September 17, 2026: Call for proposals opens
- November 1, 2026: Application deadline
- November–December 2026: Review of applications and communication with candidates
- January 18, 2027: Announcement of the winners
The jury
The jury is composed of experts from the fields of the restaurant industry, agriculture, innovation, and sustainable development, who evaluate the projects based on their impact, feasibility, and potential for growth:
- Laura Châtel, Director of CSR at Novae and Chair of the Novae Foundation Board
- Vincent Berthet, Chief Procurement Officer at Novae and member of the Novae Foundation Board
- Victor Bovy, farmer, owner of the Pré-Martin organic farm, and member of the Novae Foundation Board
- Astrid Gerz, Research Associate at Agridea and member of the StarTerre team
- Fabrice Jeantet, Director of Gastromer
Any questions?
For any questions regarding the call for proposals: fondation@novae.ch
