Schweizer Berghilfe
Swiss Mountain Aid has been helping the people in the Swiss mountains since 1943. It supports projects that create jobs and added value in the mountain region. This helps counteract migration away from the area and keep the mountain regions alive in the future. We are happy to support this cause with our contribution.
As part of our traditional Christmas party at the Lüssihof, we auction off all the Christmas gifts we receive from custodian banks, fund companies, partners, and clients. Our employees place generous bids on wine, Basler Läckerli biscuits, Panettone, Prosecco, wool blankets, umbrellas, calendars, honey, and much more. The auction in December 2025 raised CHF 12’000. The managing directors Maurice Pedergnana, Timo Dainese, Michel Schoch, Cyrill von Burg, and Alfred Künzle then doubled this amount to CHF 24’000. The total donation was divided equally between Schweizer Berghilfe, Nothilfe Zug, and the Weihnachtsbriefkasten.
Part of our donation will go to supporting a young mountain farming couple in the canton of Nidwalden who took over a traditional mountain farm after the sudden death of their uncle. The farm overlooking Lake Lucerne had previously been run by the third generation of the family. Because it was unclear for a long time who would eventually take over the farm, urgently needed investments were neglected for years.
Despite the major loss, the nephew and his wife made a conscious decision to continue running the farm and keep the family tradition alive. Both are working and are highly committed to tackling the challenges associated with taking over the farm. The house itself is barely habitable anymore, and the cattle shed no longer complies with current animal welfare regulations.
After taking over the farm, the mountain farmers switched from keeping dairy cattle to keeping suckler cows and erected a temporary barn. This solution makes it possible to combine farming with their main occupation, but it is only designed for a few animals and requires a lot of manual labor. A comprehensive barn conversion with a barnyard, stalls, and feeding trough is therefore necessary. A solar system is also planned for the barn roof.
Since renovating the existing house has proven to be unaffordable, the couple are planning to build a new house. Despite careful planning, they have exhausted their financial options. With the support of Swiss Mountain Aid, the young mountain farmers can make the necessary investments and secure a sustainable future for their farm.
For more information, visit: berghilfe.ch