We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our foundation board member, Hansjörg Wyss, on receiving the honorary citizenship of the city of Bern today!

Almost exactly four years ago, the Wyss Academy for Nature was founded through a collaboration between the University of Bern, the Canton of Bern, and the Wyss Foundation. Thanks to Hansjörg Wyss’ visionary leadership and generous commitment, our young foundation is now active in four regions around the world, implementing around 90 projects that develop innovative solutions to benefit both nature and people.

The results so far are promising. Whether it’s developing sustainable products from hard-to-market raw timber in Emmental, securing income for Brazil nut farmers in Madre de Dios, Peru, or researching whether reforestation can enhance rainfall in Kenya’s drylands—the Wyss Academy, together with its local partners, is turning knowledge into action and testing how real systemic change can be achieved.

For more insights into the progress of our living labs in the Canton of Bern, East Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia—as well as much more—take a look at our brand-new 2023 Annual Report.

Merci, Hansjörg Wyss—for your support and for making it possible for the Wyss Academy to be a fantastic employer in the heart of Bern!