Sustainable Digitalization and Digital Sufficiency: Info- & Networking-Event
- Prototype Fund
23 January 2025, 17:00–20:00 @ Impact Hub Bern «Loft» (Eingang Ryffligasse), Spitalgasse 28, 3011 Bern, free
This evening at Impact Hub Bern opened the application period of the Prototype Fund's fourth round. It looked for open source projects – software, but also hardware or other approaches – that reduce absolute resource and energy consumption in Switzerland with or through digital technology.
After a welcome by Florin Hasler (Opendata.ch), Prof. Dr. Jan Bieser (BFH) showed that the ICT sector's emissions and energy use keep growing despite efficiency gains, and introduced digital sufficiency with its four levers: hardware, software, use and the economy. Joséphine von Mitschke-Collande (Stiftung Mercator Schweiz) described sufficiency as the third pillar of sustainability alongside efficiency and consistency. After a mini panel, Verena Kontschieder presented the round – up to CHF 100,000 for six months, three projects, deadline 20 March 2025 – and Alexander Suter closed for the Christoph Merian Stiftung.
Programme
- 17:00
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Lightning talk: Digital sufficiency
Despite rising energy efficiency, the ICT sector's emissions and energy use keep growing (2007–2020: +29% and +25%, data traffic ×40). Digital sufficiency aims to reduce the absolute environmental impact of and with digital technology – through hardware, software, user and economic sufficiency.
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This Prototype Fund round
Focus on ecologically sustainable digitalisation and digital sufficiency: up to CHF 100,000 per project for six months, three projects, coaching and workshops. Timeline, selection criteria and how to apply; applications opened that evening.
- –20:00
Apéro and application opening celebration
Exchange and networking over drinks and snacks.
Read the original announcement
Do you have an idea to reduce Switzerland’s ecological footprint through or with digital technology? Join us for an evening of insights, inspiration, and connections as we launch the next round of the Prototype Fund!
The event marks the beginning of the application period of the new funding round which focuses on Open Source projects – software but also hardware or other approaches – advancing sustainable digitalization and digital sufficiency. Whether you’re a developer, researcher, activist, or simply passionate about leveraging tech for ecological sustainability, this is the place to learn, network, and get your questions answered.
What to Expect
- Lightning Talks: Leading experts – like Jan Bieser – will highlight the relevance of sustainable digitalization and sufficiency in addressing climate and resource challenges.
- *Prototype Fund Overview: *Discover how to apply, what to expect during the program, and what we’re looking for in your application.
- *Networking & Match-Making: *Meet like-minded people over drinks and snacks – from potential team members and program participants to our partners from Mercator and Christoph Merian Foundation.
Who Should Join
- Developers, researchers, activists, or those simply passionate about leveraging tech for ecological sustainability.
- Anyone curious about the intersection of technology, ecology, and systemic transformation.
Why Attend?
This event sets the stage for successful applications to the Prototype Fund. It’s your chance to connect, ask questions, and build momentum for your project idea.
