Oertli-Stiftung

The Oertli-Stiftung (officially the Walter und Ambrosina Oertli-Stiftung, also known as Fondation Oertli or Fondazione Oertli) is a Swiss foundation headquartered in Zurich. It was established in 1967 by the Zurich industrialist Walter Oertli (1901–1980) and his wife Ambrosina, after Oertli sold his company, Ing. W. Oertli AG in Dübendorf, which had specialised in the production and sale of Switzerland's first oil burners. The foundation's endowment came from the proceeds of that sale, and further assets were contributed by NZZ editor Otto Frei and lawyer Max Indermaur, who together with Oertli formed the first foundation council. The foundation's main purpose is to foster understanding and bridge-building between the four language regions of Switzerland — the Alemannic (German-speaking), French-speaking, Italian-speaking and Romansh-speaking parts of the country. It supports cultural exchange projects and personal encounters that encourage dialogue and a deeper understanding of different ways of life and thinking. In a limited capacity, it is also active in the social sector, supporting projects for the integration of young people and for improving the quality of life of older people and people with disabilities. The foundation is politically and religiously neutral and aims for long-term impact. Since 1976, the Oertli-Stiftung has periodically awarded a prize (the Oertli-Preis) to individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to understanding between the regions of Switzerland. Since 1998, it has also supported innovative projects in line with its purpose through a promotional prize. In 2025, it introduced a new "Nationaler Austauschpreis" (National Exchange Prize) to promote stays in other language regions. The foundation processes around 500 incoming applications each year, which are reviewed by the four members of the foundation council, usually within one month. Its office is located at Seestrasse 279 in Zurich-Wollishofen, in the former apartment of Max Indermaur. The foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017 with six art installations in public spaces at six different Swiss locations, designed by Swiss designer Ruedi Baur, to draw attention to the country's linguistic diversity. It also published a book and CD titled "E ti, come sprichst du suisse? Reisen zwischen den Sprachen" (2017). The current president is Anne-Catherine de Perrot (since 2023), with Marco Baschera as vice-president; the office is co-led by Patricia Muheim Mikulíková and Leonie Rohner.

The Oertli-Stiftung was founded in 1967 by Zurich industrialist Walter Oertli (1901–1980) and his wife Ambrosina. Walter Oertli had built up Ing. W. Oertli AG in Dübendorf over roughly 40 years, a company specialising in the production and sale of Switzerland's first oil burners. Having no children, he faced the question of succession and decided to sell the company. In line with his and his wife's wishes, he used the proceeds to establish the "Walter und Ambrosina Oertli-Stiftung für wohltätige, kulturelle und gemeinnützige Zwecke" (Walter and Ambrosina Oertli Foundation for charitable, cultural and non-profit purposes). The first foundation council, which included Oertli, NZZ editor Otto Frei and lawyer Max Indermaur, set out the foundation's philosophy in a charter: "Die Willensenergie ist auf die Stärkung des inneren Zusammenhaltes des Landes gerichtet. Im Mittelpunkt steht die bessere gegenseitige Verständigung zwischen der alemannischen, der welschen, der italienischen und der rätoromanischen Schweiz." (The energy of will is directed at strengthening the inner cohesion of the country. At the centre is better mutual understanding between Alemannic, French-speaking, Italian-speaking and Romansh-speaking Switzerland.) Frei and Indermaur contributed further assets to the foundation and, together with Oertli, shaped it significantly over many years. The foundation's seat remains to this day in Max Indermaur's former apartment at Seestrasse 279 in Zurich-Wollishofen. In 1973, the foundation's goals were formally recorded in a charter. Since 1976, the foundation has periodically awarded a prize (the Oertli-Preis) to individuals and institutions that have rendered outstanding services to understanding between the regions of Switzerland; the award ceremony has generally received broad media coverage. Since 1998, it has also supported innovative projects in line with its purpose through a promotional prize (Förderpreis). In 2017, the foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary with six art installations in public spaces at six different Swiss locations, designed by Swiss designer Ruedi Baur, to draw attention to the country's linguistic diversity. It also published a book and CD titled "E ti, come sprichst du suisse? Reisen zwischen den Sprachen" (Verlag Hier und Jetzt, Baden, 2017). Since 2025, the foundation has awarded a "Nationaler Austauschpreis" (National Exchange Prize) to promote stays in other language regions. The second edition of the prize is scheduled to be awarded on 17 November 2026 at the opening event of the National Exchange Week organised by movetia. The foundation's presidents have included Walter Oertli (1967–1980), Otto Frei (1981–1990), Hans Tschäni (1990–1997), Franz Lamprecht (1997–2001), Werner Ebersold (2001–2003), Charlotte Hug (2003–2007), Max Frenkel (2007–2012), Karl Vögeli (2012–2017), Marco Baschera (2018–2023) and Anne-Catherine de Perrot (since 2023).

• 2026

  Second edition of the Nationaler Austauschpreis to be awarded on 17 November 2026 at movetia's National Exchange Week opening event.

• 2025

  Introduction of the Nationaler Austauschpreis (National Exchange Prize) to promote stays in other language regions.

• 2017

  50th anniversary celebrated with six art installations in public spaces at six Swiss locations, designed by Ruedi Baur; publication of the book and CD "E ti, come sprichst du suisse? Reisen zwischen den Sprachen".

• 1998

  Introduction of a promotional prize (Förderpreis) for innovative projects in line with the foundation's purpose.

• 1976

  The foundation began periodically awarding the Oertli-Preis to individuals and institutions for services to understanding between Swiss regions.

• 1973

  The foundation's goals were formally recorded in a charter.

• 1967

  Foundation established by Walter and Ambrosina Oertli as the Walter und Ambrosina Oertli-Stiftung für wohltätige, kulturelle und gemeinnützige Zwecke.

A politically and religiously neutral Swiss foundation dedicated to strengthening national cohesion by fostering dialogue and exchange between the country's four language regions.

• Project grants for cultural exchange

  Grants supporting projects that foster dialogue and personal encounters between Switzerland's language regions, including cultural events and translations of publications of nationwide interest.

• Oertli-Preis

  A prize awarded since 1976, at irregular intervals, to individuals and institutions that have rendered outstanding services to understanding between the regions of Switzerland.

• Förderpreis

  A promotional prize introduced in 1998 to support innovative projects in line with the foundation's purpose.

• Nationaler Austauschpreis

  A prize introduced in 2025 to promote stays in other language regions of Switzerland.

• Social project grants

  Limited support for projects dedicated to the integration of young people and improving the quality of life of older people and people with disabilities.

1. 1Oertli-Stiftung - Oertli-Stiftungoertlistiftung.ch
2. 2Über uns - Oertli-Stiftungoertlistiftung.ch
3. 3Geschichte - Oertli-Stiftungoertlistiftung.ch
4. 4Oertli-Stiftungde.wikipedia.org
5. 5Wikidatawikidata.org