Locally owned, globally backed - A Manifesto for Locally Led Action
In the 1960s, "experts" and cows were still being sent to Rwanda in order to intensify agriculture. Today, however, being geared towards local needs is part of the self-concept of international cooperation (IC). Yet many stumbling blocks remain. Together, more than 40 Swiss NGOs have therefore drawn up a manifesto. It is a call to joint action in pursuit of equitable partnerships.
Offline meets online
On 10 February 2026, Safer Internet Day, over 50 people from ten Swiss cantons and three countries met at the Pestalozzi Children's Village. 19 of them were in a digital room and thus followed the events from a distance. The event? The symposium organised by digitalstreetwork.ch and the OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule on digital youth work in the prevention of extremism.
A school model with national impact
The transition from primary to secondary school is a particularly critical moment in the Serbian education system – especially for children from marginalized communities. Our project, "Together to Secondary School," addressed precisely this juncture and was successfully completed at the end of the year. It empowered numerous children and young people and simultaneously developed a school model with the potential for nationwide scaling.
Where democracy becomes tangible
The third youth conference took place at the Pestalozzi Children's Village from 1 to 5 December 2025. Over the course of five days, 64 young people from three schools in St.Gallen engaged intensively with democratic participation.
Initiatives for Children's Rights Day
On International Children's Rights Day, the Pestalozzi Children's Village reminds us how important education, rights and participation are for a social, sustainable society.
Stay on the ball thanks to education
On 9 November 2025, the Pestalozzi Children's Village was a guest at the 'Jogo dos Famosos'. Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Yakin & Co. provided a spectacle on the pitch. Off the pitch: powerup_radio and four young presenters who provided live commentary.
Guatemala: New operational partner organisation wanted
For the Guatemala 2025-2028 country strategy, we are looking for a new operational partner organisation (NGO based in Guatemala) that shares our vision and has proven experience in promoting education.
Children's rights: do you know them?
In collaboration with three other organisations, the Pestalozzi Children's Village has developed educational teaching materials for schools on children's rights. The teaching materials are available free of charge.
Music students make radio
In September 2025, the powerup_radio travelled across Switzerland. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Association of Music Schools (VMS), the mobile radio studio stopped off in 18 cantons for 30 days.