Social responsibility – donations and projects 2026

Thanks to the commitment of its clients, Colin&Cie distributed 330,000 Swiss francs through its Social Responsibility Initiative this year, supporting ten charitable organisations across three countries. The following photographic review captures the cheque presentations and highlights the impact of the projects supported.

Review: Social Responsibility Initiative 2026

The distribution of 330,000 Swiss francs was made possible by assets invested sustainably by clients in 2025 through Colin&Cie’s Social Responsibility Initiative. It reflects both the success of the investment strategy and the conscious decision by clients to invest a portion of the returns generated in social projects.

In 2025, the fund generated attractive capital gains of 8.3% p.a. in euro terms and 6.0% p.a. in Swiss franc terms, as well as a distribution of 0.50% to the investors. On top of that, a substantial surplus was once again generated for the funding of social projects. CHF 260,000 will thus go directly to projects selected by investors in the areas of poverty alleviation and healthcare. A further CHF 70,000 was donated by Colin&Cie to the Swiss Red Cross.

Another distinctive feature of the initiative is the active involvement of Colin&Cie’s clients: they have a say in how the funds are used. Furthermore, the supported projects are personally and closely accompanied by Colin&Cie staff as project mentors.

Swiss Red Cross Zurich

The grant of 90,000 Swiss francs will be divided equally among three projects that support people in different life circumstances. The ‘Villa Vita’ project provides Individuals living with long-term mental health conditions with a safe environment in which they can improve their mental wellbeing through shared activities and social interaction. The ‘Employment perspectives’ mentoring programme supports refugees accessing training and employment opportunities, as well as in developing their literacy and language skills. Through the ‘Apprenticeship support’ project, socially disadvantaged young people are supported by coaches throughout their vocational apprenticeships to help them complete their apprenticeships successfully and obtain a recognised professional qualification.

Back row, from left to right: Roland Gerritsen (Project mentor for ‘Apprenticeship support’, Colin&Cie Zurich), Dominic Droz (Project mentor for ‘Employment perspectives’, Colin&Cie Zurich), Thomas Schilling (Project mentor for ‘Villa Vita’, Colin&Cie Zurich), Manuela Frenjo (Chair of the Executive Board, SRC)

Front row: from left to right: Ester Mottolini (Programme Manager for ‘Apprenticeship Support’, SRC), Anna Bossart (Head of Integration, SRC), Nadja Marugg (Head of the ‘Support in Everyday Life’ division and member of the Executive Board, SRC)

Swiss Red Cross Schaffhausen

The ‘Relief services’ project is receiving funding of 30,000 Swiss francs. The service supports people who provide daily care and support for family members, whether this involves caring for relatives or looking after children. These tasks are often demanding and involve a heavy burden in terms of time, mental and physical strain. The ‘Relief Services’ create valuable time to recover in everyday life: trained Swiss Red Cross staff take over responsibilities either on a regular basis or as required, allowing caregivers to take a break, recharge, and maintain their own wellbeing.

From left to right: Colin Schär (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Schaffhausen), Tanja Rütimann (Project manager for «Relief services, SRK), Michael Kunz (Managing director, SRC)

Swiss Red Cross Ticino

The ‘Campus Estivo’ project run by Centro Insieme in Lugano is receiving funding of 30,000 Swiss francs. This educational support centre assists children aged between 6 and 12 with their homework, as well as with language development and the development of literacy and social skills. Most of the children come from financially disadvantaged families, have a migrant background or have special educational needs. The ‘Campus Estivo’ programme ensures that they continue to receive support even during the summer holidays.

From left to right: Alexander Pellegrini (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Lugano), Filippo Bolla (President, SRC, Sottoceneri Branch), Gaia Belluzzi (Head of the Centro Insieme and the Summer Camp, SRC)

Swiss Red Cross Zug

The ‘Red Cross Transport Service’ project is receiving funding of 30,000 Swiss francs. The service assists people who depend on reliable transport due to health conditions, advanced age or challenging life circumstances. Each year, around 600 people are benefit from regular support, without which many of their journeys would be impossible. The volunteers provide door-to-door assistance, ensuring their safety, helping them find their way and providing a sense of human connection.

From left to right: Thomas Warnecke (CEO and founder, Colin&Cie), Urs Walder (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Zug), Stefanie Holm (Managing director, SRC), Nadine Kunz (Transport service coordinator, SRC)

German Red Cross Trier-Saarburg

The project ‘Training Support for Foreign Care Workers’ is receiving funding of 15,000 euros. The initiative recruits young people from abroad to train in community care and supports their long-term integration into the regional labour market. In doing so, it makes an important contribution to ensuring a sustainable supply of qualified care professionals. The funding is channelled into language support programmes, mobility and orientation assistance, as well as leisure and social activities that help the trainees settle in and integrate into society.

From left to right: Wolfgang Reiland (President, GRC), Christin Schuh (Head of Nursing, GRC), Michael Decker (District Manager, GRC), Souryane Hanin and Salve Regine (both trainee carers, GRC), Frank Werner (Integration Advisor, GRC), Joachim Erdmann (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Luxembourg)

German Red Cross Hospital Saarlouis

The ‘Central Accident & Emergency’ project is being supported with 30,000 euros. The demands for emergency care have risen significantly in recent years, driven in part by demographic change and an ageing population. The funding will be used for staff development and professional emergency training. In addition, two mobile laptop workstations will be purchased to enable the rapid and reliable recording of patient data and vital signs, even in supplementary treatment areas. To complement this, modern transport chairs will be used to facilitate the care of patients with reduced mobility.

From left to right: Bernd Klingbeil (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Luxembourg), Iris Fresen (Senior doctor, GRC), Dr Anca Mihai (Specialist, GRC), Lena Margheritis (Head of Nursing, GRC), Roman Awischus (Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Initiative, Colin&Cie), Matthias Adler (Managing Director, GRC), Nicole Müller (Vice Head of Nursing, GRC), Dr Johannes Bettscheider (Medical Director, GRC)

German Red Cross Bitburg-Prüm

The ‘First Responder’ project is receiving funding of 15,000 euros. The funds will be used to renew, upgrade and expand the equipment of the 101 volunteer first responders in the Bitburg-Prüm district in line according to their needs. In the event of medical emergencies, the first responders provide professional first aid until the arrival of emergency services, helping to bridge critical gaps in care and saving valuable time. In addition to comprehensive training, they are equipped with personal protective equipment, pagers, emergency backpacks containing medical supplies, oxygen and automated external defibrillators.

From left to right: Klaus Hofmann (Vice District Manager, GRC), Frank Mayer (First Responder, GRC), Lea Elsen (First Responder, GRC), Joachim Erdmann (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Luxembourg)

nestwärme Luxembourg

The project ‘Cross-border paediatric care’ is receiving funding of 15,000 euros. A new paediatric hospice is scheduled to open in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, in October 2026, close to the German-Luxembourg border. The funding will support the establishment and expansion of a coordination centre in Luxembourg. The aim is to inform families of children and young people with life-limiting illnesses in the Grand Duchy about existing inpatient care services and to make it easier for them to access the children’s hospice in Germany.

From left to right: Dirk Hense (Vice-President, nestwärme Luxembourg), Dirk Lichtherz (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Luxembourg), Vincent Pépin (Staff member, nestwärme Luxembourg), Roman Awischus (Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Initiative, Colin&Cie)

Club Fifty-One International Trier e.V.

The “Felix & the Brückner Family” project is receiving a grant of 15,000 euros. The initiative was launched by Club Fifty-One International Trier e.V., a regional business network, and supports the family of seven, including Felix, who is living with a serious illness. The funding will go towards the renovation and modernisation of the family’s home, which is affected by significant mould growth, in order to improve the family’s living situation in the long term. The aim is to create a safe and healthy living environment and to ease the burden on the family in their challenging day-to-day lives.

From left to right: Roman Awischus (Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Initiative, Colin&Cie), Jo Becker (President, Fifty-One Trier), Marco Schumacher (Project mentor, Colin&Cie Luxembourg)

Swiss Red Cross Head Office Bern

As part of its strategic partnership, Colin&Cie is donating 70,000 Swiss francs as a non-earmarked grant to the Swiss Red Cross headquarters in Bern. The funds may be used, amongst other things, for disaster relief and other urgent emergency aid operations.

Thank Thank for trust, commitment and reporting

As sponsors and partners of the aid organisations and projects featured here, we value our shared commitment to helping people in need, regardless of their age or circumstances. We would like to thank our customers, who make a portion of the returns from their sustainable investments available to the Social Responsibility Initiative; our staff for their dedication in selecting and supporting the projects; the aid organisations in Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg for their trust and cooperation; and the online and print media for their coverage and the resulting visibility of our initiative. These include Schaffhausen24, Ticino Online, the Zuger Zeitung, the Zuger Woche, the Trierische Volksfreund, the Saarbrücker Zeitung and the Wochenspiegel Saarlouis.
 

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The information contained in this publication is marketing material distributed for advertising purposes. This information and opinions do not constitute a solicitation, offer or recommendation to buy or sell investment instruments or to engage in any other transactions. We recommend that interested investors consult their personal advisor before making any decisions based on this document so that their personal investment objectives, financial situation, individual needs and risk profile as well as other information can be duly considered in the context of comprehensive advice. The performance information contained in the article is provided exclusively for informational purposes and does not imply any guarantee of future performance. Market and currency fluctuations may lead to gains or losses.

The fund company of the "Social Responsibility Funds" is: ETHENEA Independent Investors S.A., Munsbach, Luxembourg. The prospectus and the key information documents (PRIIPs-KID), articles of association or management regulations as well as the annual and semi-annual reports can be obtained free of charge from the fund company (https://www.ethenea.com/en-ch/_third-party-funds/social-responsibility-funds-global-engagement/) or its representative in Switzerland: IPConcept (Schweiz) AG, Bellerivestrasse 36, CH-8008 Zurich.