Our goals and values
Learn about our aims, commitments, values, and how we work.
What we want to achieve
Our goal: a food system fit for the future – enough healthy food for everyone, produced and consumed in environmentally and socially responsible ways. This is what we at Biovision are committed to in sub-Saharan Africa, in Switzerland and internationally.
Healthy and varied food must be produced under dignified conditions and be accessible and affordable for everybody. The consumption of healthy, safe, sustainable and locally produced food helps make communities more adaptable and resilient. Food systems of the future must improve the living conditions of all population groups and offer prospects for young people and women in particular.
This video explains our strategy.
What we do
Through actual implementation in agriculture, science and politics, we prove that people can consume enough food that is healthy without endangering natural resources. We show how the food system – from production to consumption – can be made sustainable. We are committed to climate-friendly agriculture that promotes human health, soil fertility, animal welfare and biodiversity.
Where we work
We are active where we can achieve the greatest impact through our holistic approach and our networks. We exercise our leverage in three project regions:
- In sub-Saharan Africa, we work in six countries. There, we primarily promote the research and dissemination of knowledge and practical skills in agroecological agriculture among farmers, extension workers and authorities. We also strengthen the links between consumers and producers to develop markets for selling agroecological products.
- In Switzerland, we impart knowledge and tips for sustainable consumption. In the realm of politics, we demonstrate how agroecological approaches contribute to achieving national and international targets (including climate, biodiversity, social and economic development goals).
- Internationally, we support multi-stakeholder initiatives and political decision-makers in developing sustainable frameworks. We also facilitate access to technical advice, capital and relevant networks for small and medium-sized agroecological enterprises. We motivate donors to invest in such frameworks and enterprises.
How we work
We are convinced that fundamental changes are needed to make our vision a reality. We are involved in politics, business, science and civil society to create an understanding of the interrelationships in the food system. We build networks and form strong alliances to pursue that aim. We inspire people and motivate them to reframe their thinking and act sustainably. And we stand behind science-based solutions that are tested and proven. We work closely with competent, locally based partner organizations. We lead by example and act diligently and transparently.
Our goals
The ultimate goal of our commitment is to achieve sustainable impact. To work towards the vision of no hunger and a transformation to a sustainable food system, we direct our energy to where it generates the greatest and longest-lasting impact in relation to our efforts.
For the transition to a sustainable food system, we focus our activities where we can achieve the greatest and longest-lasting impacts with the least effort:
In close cooperation with researchers and practitioners, we support developments in agroecological production systems that significantly improve nutrition, health, income and resilience. We support developments that primarily offer women and young people prospects in agriculture. Systems of production are tailored to the needs of local and regional target groups and markets.
We support knowledge exchange among practitioners and promote agroecological approaches through information, training and advice. We strengthen the capacity of competence centres and promote exchange between science and administration. In doing so, we generate a deeper understanding of factors that promote or hinder the implementation of agroecological practices and systems.
To better connect agroecological producers with consumers, we facilitate systemic changes in local and regional markets (for example, better relationships among market actors and frameworks that are more ecological and social). We support small and medium-sized agroecological enterprises in gaining access to technical advice, labour capital and relevant networks. We motivate donors to invest more in such enterprises and in more conducive frameworks.
We raise awareness among broad sections of the population regarding interrelationships in the food system (regarding environment – health – social justice) and the influence of their own behaviour. We support relevant national and regional civil society initiatives to transform the food system. To positively influence individual and institutional attitudes, narratives and behaviour (including consumption), we use concrete examples and facts to demonstrate that agroecological approaches generate added value for society and the environment.
We support multi-stakeholder initiatives and policymakers in developing policy frameworks that steer the production, trade and consumption of food, as well as research and education, towards agroecology. In doing so, we show how agroecological approaches contribute to national and international goals (regarding climate, biodiversity, and social and economic development).
Our impact
We follow a systemic approach and work to bridge a variety of stakeholders. In doing so, we rely on:
Support of agroecological innovation and its dissemination in cooperation with local research institutions and the private sector.
Knowledge transfer and empowerment of local communities and organizations.
Policy dialogue to connect different actors and change framework conditions.
Diligence and transparency
Our everyday commitment to ecological development is shaped by principles of solidarity and justice, now and for future generations. Financially and beyond, we act and report authentically and transparently. In doing so, we are guided by the following values:
- We empower people to solve their own problems and act autonomously.
- We focus on holistic and practical solutions that contribute to environmental and human health.
- We bridge agriculture, politics, science, civil society, private, philanthropy and development cooperation sectors.
- We communicate honestly and authentically.
- We work in a participatory way (for example through co-creation) and eye-to-eye with our partners, patrons and beneficiaries.
Diligence with your donations
Biovision Foundation is politically and economically independent. It is subject to the Swiss Federal supervisory authority for foundations (Eidgenössische Stiftungsaufsicht) and bears the Zewo seal of approval. It uses its funds carefully and purposefully. The accounts, reviewed by an external auditor, are prepared in accordance with the Swiss GAAP FER 21 accounting recommendations, the statutory provisions and the Zewo Foundation guidelines, and the provisions of the foundation’s statutes.
Biovision is committed to the ethical guidelines of Swissfundraising. Honesty, respect, integrity, professionalism and transparency are paramount. Donations to Biovision can be deducted from taxes in Switzerland. In the United States, Biovision is considered a public charity under Section 501(c)(3).
For more information about Zewo’s certification and its 21 standards, click on the following link.
- The 21 Zewo Standards
- Ethical guidelines of Swissfundraising (only available in German and French)
Responsible communication
Biovision is committed to respecting people’s dignity in communication and fundraising and to upholding their personal integrity. This also includes the commitment to present an authentic and truthful image of the “Global South.” We follow the Manifesto for Responsible Communication by Alliance Sud as a self-commitment to the public.
Ecological footprint
Biovision is an internationally active organization. Business travel is therefore often unavoidable, whether for meetings with project partners in East Africa or for participation in international conferences. In our operational activities, we take care to minimize our environmental footprint and ensure that unavoidable travel for our international work is efficient and as effective as possible. Our climate footprint in 2022 was 73 tons of CO2 equivalents. We offset this via myclimate by contributing to the project “Small-scale farmers reforesting in Uganda”. We purchase certified green electricity for our offices in Zurich and Geneva. The production of our mailings and their distribution by Swiss Post are climate neutral.
