Fondation Botnar

Established in 2003 by Marcela Botnar, Fondation Botnar is a Swiss philanthropic foundation committed to enhancing the health and well-being of young people living in urban environments globally. The foundation focuses on integrating innovative and digital solutions, including artificial intelligence, into services for children and adolescents. It collaborates with various partners to support research and projects that align with its strategic objectives.

Fondation Botnar's strategic focus encompasses four interrelated areas: enabling liveable and sustainable city systems, promoting a human rights-based digital transformation, advancing mental health, and strengthening quality public education. The foundation invests in biomedical research for children's health, exemplified by its commitment of CHF 900 million over 15 years to establish the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering in Basel, Switzerland. Additionally, it has supported the Basel Research Centre for Child Health with a total of CHF 165 million to date.

The foundation actively engages in initiatives such as the OurCity program, which assists cities in designing and implementing youth-centered strategies, and the Healthy Cities for Adolescents project, supporting adolescent health and well-being in intermediary cities across the Global South. Through these efforts, Fondation Botnar aims to create environments where young people can thrive, addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in rapidly urbanizing and digitalizing spaces.