Media Funding for French-speaking Switzerland: The City of Geneva, Aventinus Foundation, Leenaards Foundation, and FERS Foundation Join Forces to Strengthen Media Diversity

Geneva, March 30, 2026 – The media crisis is having a particularly severe impact in French-speaking Western Switzerland. To strengthen independent journalism during this acute crisis, an alliance of philanthropic and public sector institutions is enabling a regional funding line from the DACH-wide Media Forward Fund. The City of Geneva, Fondation Aventinus, Fondation Leenaards, and the FERS Foundation are jointly providing CHF 1.8 million in funding to kickstart the initiative.

“Launch Grants” are intended to support media organizations in developing new, innovative media offerings, while “Strategy Grants” are designed to help them build sustainable business models.

The initiative was unveiled on March 30, 2026, at the Tour de la Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) in Geneva. The event was moderated by Yves Daccord and brought together 75 representatives from media, foundations, politics, and civil society.

Media Diversity Under Pressure in French-speaking Switzerland

Declining revenues, structural changes, and media concentration have severely weakened journalistic diversity in Switzerland. French-speaking Switzerland is particularly affected: local outlets are disappearing, newsrooms are shrinking, and a news desert threatens to emerge.

“At a time when social media accelerates the spread of misleading information, viral rumors, and ‘alternative facts’ – often exploited for manipulative purposes – the lines are blurring and public discourse is becoming increasingly fragile,” says Christina Kitsos, Geneva City Councilor. “This weakens public debate. Against this backdrop, the role of the press and the media seems more important than ever: they serve as an indispensable anchor for our societies. Ensuring access to reliable, high-quality information is essential for democratic life – which is why public sector engagement is crucial.”

The funding line deliberately focuses on innovation rather than survival support: media organizations are enabled to develop new offerings, reach regional audiences, and build long-term business models.

Two Funding Formats for New Ideas and Growth – Starting with Launch Grants

The new funding line will initially launch with two calls for “Launch Grants,” scheduled for September 2026 and February 2027. Funding will support the market launch of a new offering, format, distribution channel, or revenue stream for the respective organization in French-speaking Switzerland. In addition to a successful launch, the primary goal is to develop an initial product-/market fit in the region. Funding of up to CHF 125,000 per organization can be awarded for one year.

Eligible applicants are public-interest media organizations headquartered in Switzerland. Requirements include a journalistic and editorial focus on French-speaking Switzerland, as well as reporting in French. Media Forward Fund’s selection criteria have been adapted to the region’s specific situation.

“Strategy Grants” are planned for existing initiatives, with the first call for proposals launching in February 2028. Funding will support market research and tests to validate growth assumptions, accompanied by strategic coaching to develop practical growth strategies.

This funding line is embedded in Media Forward Fund’s DACH-wide upskilling program, enabling participating organizations to benefit from knowledge transfer among media organizations in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

Joint Commitment to a Strong Media Ecosystem

During the initiative’s launch, the partner organizations of the new funding line emphasized the importance of jointly supporting the journalistic ecosystem:

Henry Peter, President, and Bernard Rappaz, Board Member of Fondation Aventinus in Geneva, underscore the responsibility of various societal actors: “A diverse media landscape is a central component of a resilient democracy. With this initiative, we are specifically strengthening the journalistic ecosystem in French-speaking Western Switzerland.”

Brigitte Rorive Feytmans, President of the Fondation Leenaards in Lausanne, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative: “By involving philanthropic foundations and public partners, this initiative creates a decisive leverage effect throughout French-speaking Switzerland to ensure access to pluralistic and high-quality information – an indispensable pillar for the vitality of democracy and social cohesion.”

“Media Forward Fund’s new funding line demonstrates how the public sector and private philanthropy can jointly assume responsibility during the media crisis,” says Olga Baranova, representative of Media Forward Fund in French-speaking Western Switzerland. “Regional support and cross-regional exchange strengthen our media diversity, and through this, we aim to send a signal of confidence. We invite additional funders from across Switzerland to join this partnership.”

About Media Forward Fund

Media Forward Fund was established in July 2024 as an initiative of the Schöpflin Foundation, Mercator Foundation Switzerland, Volkart Foundation, Rudolf Augstein Foundation, ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS, Allianz Foundation, Foundation for Media Diversity, ERSTE Foundation,  DATUM STIFTUNG for Journalism and Democracy, MacArthur Foundation (USA), the impact investor Karma Capital Group, and Publix – House for Journalism & Public Sphere as a non-profit fund.

As part of a new funding line for science and data journalism, five additional foundations from Germany joined the MFF in January 2025. The Deutsche Postcode Lottery joined in March, followed by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space in September. The development of the fund was supported by a project grant from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. To date, the MFF has been endowed with €16 million.

Press Contact for Journalists

Media Forward Fund
Olga Baranova
Representative for French-speaking Switzerland
olga@mediaforwardfund.org

Photos: Steve Iuncker