SNYC - Swiss National Youth Council

What SNYC - Swiss National Youth Council does

The Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Jugendverbände (SAJV), operating as the Swiss National Youth Council, is a non-profit association founded in 1933 and headquartered at Hohle Gasse 4, Liebefeld bei Bern, Switzerland. It is the recognized national umbrella federation of approximately 60 Swiss youth organizations that collectively represent more than 500,000 children and adolescents across the country's language regions. SAJV's mission is to serve as the collective political voice of Swiss youth and to operate programs that strengthen democratic participation, voluntary engagement, sustainability, health, and inclusion for young people.

SAJV delivers its mission through a portfolio of participation programs rather than a unified technology product: the Eidgenössische Jugendsession (an annual four-day federal youth parliament simulation in the Federal Palace with ~200 participants aged 14-21), the Kinderkonferenz in both German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland, the We make Democracy! Academy (an international democratic-education program across nine countries), the Youth Delegates program jointly managed with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (placing Swiss youth at the UN, COP climate negotiations, and the European Youth Forum), and environmental programs including VolonTerra, Faires Lager, and the Compost Collective Camp. Health and protection work is delivered through Voilà and a joint prevention project with Fachstelle Limita. The organization's digital infrastructure is limited to standard web tools (Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, YouTube, Google Maps, reCAPTCHA); there are no proprietary technology products.

SAJV is funded primarily through federal subsidies under the Kinder- und Jugendförderungsgesetz (KJFG), membership dues from its ~60 member organizations, project-specific grants from foundations such as Movetia, Via Cordis, Helsingfors, Fondation Collatrice, Cazas, and Krik, and donations solicited through fundraising campaigns. Its go-to-market is a hybrid of political advocacy (Vernehmlassungen, campaigns, parliamentary engagement) and community mobilization (flagship events, member organization network, social channels). Following a 2020 reorganization that flattened hierarchies into a four-leader collective management model, the organization now operates with ~25 staff.

Name

SNYC - Swiss National Youth Council

Legal name

Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Jugendverbände SAJV

Website

https://sajv.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Swiss National Youth Council (SAJV) is a non-profit association founded in 1933 that serves as the recognized umbrella of approximately 60 Swiss youth organizations representing over 500,000 children and adolescents. It delivers democratic-participation programs including the federal Jugendsession, Kinderkonferenz, and the We make Democracy! Academy, and advocates for youth interests before federal authorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Federation and Civic Advocacy Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Global Health Advocacy, Policy & Rights Organizations (HLAJAKAO), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Government Accountability, Ethics & Anti-Corruption Advocacy (BPAGAFAN)

Keywords

• Youth policy advocacy
• Civic participation programs
• Youth civic education
• Umbrella federation services
• Volunteer engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Liebefeld bei Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidies (KJFG): SAJV receives federal funding through the Kinder- und Jugendförderungsgesetz (KJFG), the Child and Youth Promotion Act, which funds extracurricular youth activities. This has been a subject of advocacy, with SAJV successfully defending against proposed 10% cuts to KJFG credits in the 2027 relief package.
2. Project-Specific Grants and Donations: SAJV receives funding for specific projects (e.g., We make Democracy Academy, VolonTerra, Youth Delegates, Kinderkonferenz) from foundations, financial partners, and institutional donors including Movetia, Via Cordis, Helsingfors, Cazas, Krik, Fondation Collatrice, and Ohrid.
3. Membership Dues: As a federation of ~60 member youth organizations, SAJV collects membership dues from its member organizations to fund its operations and advocacy work.
4. Donations and Fundraising: SAJV conducts fundraising campaigns and seeks individual donations, as evidenced by the active hiring of a fundraising lead (Leitung Fundraising, 70%) and ongoing fundraising activities including the 'Freiwilligenkampagne' and donation solicitations on the website.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SAJV is the national umbrella organization for approximately 60 Swiss youth organizations representing over 500,000 children and young people. It advocates for youth interests at the federal and cantonal political level through consultation responses, parliamentary recommendations, and coalition campaigns, while operating flagship participation programs including the Federal Youth Session (Jugendsession), Children's Conferences (Kinderkonferenz), the We make Democracy!-Academy, the Youth Delegates program, and environmental engagement initiatives (VolonTerra, Faires Lager, Compost Collective Camp).

Product overview

The Swiss National Youth Council (SAJV) is a national umbrella organization comprising approximately 60 youth organizations representing over 500,000 children and young people in Switzerland. Rather than a unified technology product, SAJV operates a portfolio of interconnected youth participation programs organized around three strategic pillars: Engagierte Jugend (Engaged Youth), Unsere Zukunft (Our Future), and Inklusion aller (Inclusion for All). The core offerings include the Jugendsession (Federal Youth Session) as a flagship national political participation project; the Kinderkonferenz (Children's Conference) enabling younger participation; the We make Democracy!-Academy as an international democratic education program; the Youth Delegates program placing youth in UN and climate forums; and Voilà as a health promotion program for youth organizations. Environmental engagement is supported through VolonTerra, Faires Lager, and the Compost Collective Camp, while protection initiatives address sexualized violence and inclusion/diversity. The Forum der Jugendverbände coordinates among member organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eidgenössische Jugendsession: Annual national participation project where youth aged 14-21 gather in Bern to discuss political topics and develop demands presented in the National Council chamber
• Kinderkonferenz
• We make Democracy!-Academy
• Youth Delegates
• Voilà
• Faires Lager
• VolonTerra
• Forum der Jugendverbände

Products and services

• Jugendsession (Federal Youth Session) Switzerland's largest national youth participation project where approximately 200 young people aged 14-21 meet for four days in Bern to discuss political topics and develop demands that are presented in the National Council chamber. For young people aged 14-21 across Switzerland.
• Kinderkonferenz (Children's Conference) A conference where children aged 10-12 discuss children's rights and develop projects to improve their everyday lives, with separate events in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. For children aged 10-12 and youth organizations.
• We make Democracy!-Academy International training program for youth workers and activists from nine countries covering nine democracy-related modules over two years, with topics ranging from democracy fundamentals to AI and capitalism. For 40 participants from 9 countries across Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
• Youth Delegates Program placing youth representatives (UN Youth Reps and Climate Youth Delegates) in international forums to advocate for Swiss youth interests at the UN and climate negotiations. Run jointly with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). For young Swiss people selected to represent Swiss youth internationally.
• Voilà National health promotion and prevention program in youth organizations, providing resources and training including the HAND method for recognizing vulnerable situations among young people. For youth organizations and their leaders.
• Faires Lager An annual competition and program promoting sustainable camps in Switzerland, encouraging youth organizations to implement environmentally friendly practices. For Swiss youth organizations running camps.
• VolonTerra A national volunteer weekend for environmental action where youth groups register projects for nature and environmental protection, held annually in September. For Swiss youth groups and nature/conservation organizations.
• Forum der Jugendverbände (Forum of Youth Organizations) A coordination body bringing together member organizations for exchange and joint positioning on youth policy matters. For ~60 member youth organizations.
• Jugendurlaub (Youth Leave) Advocacy and information service for youth vacation programs that enable young people to participate in youth organization activities. For young people and youth organizations.
• Schutz vor sexualisierter Gewalt (Protection from Sexualized Violence) Prevention project in cooperation with Limita helping youth organizations develop protection concepts and prevention instruments for free-time settings. For Swiss youth organizations and their staff.
• Inklusion und Vielfalt (Inclusion and Diversity) Program promoting unrestricted inclusion in youth organizations and society, combating all forms of discrimination. For youth organizations and society.
• Compost Collective Camp A national weekend event creating a network for young people in Swiss youth organizations focused on ecological sustainability, with the first edition in March 2026. For young people in Swiss youth organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• The 15,000+ signatures on the 'No austerity on the backs of youth' petition led to the Council of States rejecting cuts to child and youth promotion funding.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) / Federal Department of Foreign AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Youth Rep Program is a joint project of the FDFA and SAJV. SAJV manages the program and places Swiss youth representatives (UN Youth Reps, Climate Youth Delegate, European Youth Delegates) in international bodies. The FDFA provides institutional support and mandate, enabling SAJV to represent Swiss youth at the UN, COP negotiations, and European Youth Forum. The 2025-2027 Youth Reps include Jorina Kaminski, Lucía Saunders, Andreas Bernhard (UN), Elena Müller (Climate), and Helena Watrin, Lia Bachmann (European).
• Partner Organizations in We make Democracy Academy (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe We make Democracy Academy is a 9-country international collaboration spanning Albania (NASA Djeca), Bosnia-Herzegovina (I-Dijaspora), Croatia (Udruga Impress), Kosovo (Kom18), Montenegro (Perspektiva), North Macedonia (Ohrid), Serbia (Krik), Slovenia (Rote Falken), and Switzerland (SAJV). Partners co-develop and deliver 9 training modules over 2 years on democracy topics, enabling inter-cultural exchange and joint democratic education for youth workers and activists across the Western Balkans and Switzerland. Nine modules covering: Democracy & Training Competencies, Democracy & Feminism, Democracy & Media, Democracy & Stereotypes, Democracy & Conflict Transformation, Democracy & AI, Democracy & Norms, Democracy & Representation, Democracy & Capitalism.
• Fachstelle LimitacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAJV and Fachstelle Limita (the specialized center for prevention of sexual exploitation) jointly run the prevention project for the leisure sector. The project supports youth organizations in developing protection concepts and prevention instruments against boundary violations and sexual exploitation of children and youth. Three in-depth workshops were conducted with youth organizations covering personnel management, reporting management, and crisis management. The project is in its 3rd phase (2026–2027).
• Pro NaturacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Natura is a partner in multiple SAJV programs: VolonTerra (national volunteer weekend for environmental action), Compost Collective Camp, and Faires Lager competition. Pro Natura provides environmental project opportunities for youth groups and co-sponsors the annual Faires Lager competition.
• Terre des Hommes SuissecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerre des Hommes Suisse co-organizes the Children's Conference (Kinderkonferenz) with SAJV. In 2026, the Romandie Children's Conference was held in Lignerolle (VD) with ~40 children aged 10–12 developing children's rights projects.
• Théâtre Am Stram GramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThéâtre Am Stram Gram co-organizes the Romandie Children's Conference with SAJV and Terre des Hommes Suisse, hosting the final conference in Geneva where children presented their projects to politicians.
• Pfadibewegung SchweizcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPfadibewegung Schweiz (Swiss Scouting movement) is one of SAJV's ~60 member organizations. Pfadi is a key partner in programs including Faires Lager, Compost Collective Camp, and Jugendsession. The organization brings thousands of scouts into SAJV's collective advocacy and program ecosystem.
• Jungwacht Blauring SchweizcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJungwacht Blauring is a member organization of SAJV and co-sponsor of the Faires Lager competition. As one of the largest Catholic youth organizations in Switzerland, it brings significant membership to SAJV's network.
• Cevi SchweizcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCevi Schweiz is a member organization of SAJV and a partner in youth programs. As a Protestant-influenced youth organization, Cevi contributes to SAJV's diverse membership base.
• Dachverband Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit Schweiz (DOJ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDOJ is a member organization and co-signatory of SAJV's advocacy campaigns including the open letter against youth funding cuts and the platform regulation alliance. DOJ represents open youth work providers across Switzerland.
• Dachverband Schweizer Jugendparlamente (DSJ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDSJ is a member organization of SAJV, representing youth parliaments at the cantonal and local levels in Switzerland. As a partner, DSJ contributes to SAJV's youth participation advocacy and programs.
• ProJuventutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProJuventute is a member organization and key partner in SAJV campaigns (against the 10-million initiative, for platform regulation, for children's rights). ProJuventute publishes the annual Youth Study on mental health of Swiss youth, which SAJV references in its advocacy.
• UNICEF SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUNICEF Switzerland is a member organization and co-signatory of SAJV campaigns on children's rights, platform regulation, and youth policy. UNICEF provides international frameworks and child rights expertise to SAJV's advocacy.
• European Youth ForummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAJV's European Youth Delegates (Helena Watrin 2026–2028, Lia Bachmann 2025–2027) participate in the European Youth Forum, which is the platform for youth organizations in Europe. This provides SAJV with a voice in European youth policy and access to the Youth Dialogue process.
• PublicisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublicis supported the 2025 Jugendsession advertising campaign 'Ich schwöre. J'te jure. Lo giuro.' largely pro bono, providing creative services for social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Facebook) and offline poster placements in schools, youth centers, and public spaces.
• Stiftung WegweiserminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStiftung Wegweiser is a partner in the Compost Collective Camp, contributing to the Ethics Award component where participants develop visions for a sustainable future. Co-organized with Pro Natura, Ökozentrum, VolonTerra, and SAJV.
• ÖkozentrumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖkozentrum is a partner in the Compost Collective Camp, providing environmental education workshops and inputs on sustainability, nature, and climate protection for youth participants.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Conseil National de la Jeunesse (France): France's official consultative youth council advising the government and parliament on youth policy; matches SAJV's federally institutionalized role as the recognized youth voice and its consensus-based participation programs.
• Deutscher Bundesjugendring: Germany's national umbrella of youth organizations, the closest functional peer to SAJV: it represents ~6 million young people through member associations, runs national participation programs, and conducts federal policy advocacy on youth issues — directly comparable in mission, structure, and federal advocacy role.
• British Youth Council: UK national youth council representing young people and member organizations, running the UK Youth Parliament and lobbying Westminster; closely comparable to SAJV's Jugendsession and federal advocacy model.
• Bundesjugendvertretung (Austria): Austrian national youth representation that represents the interests of children and youth at federal level; comparable German-speaking peer with similar member-organization structure and federal advocacy remit.
• Dachverband Schweizer Jugendparlamente (DSJ): Swiss umbrella of cantonal youth parliaments and a member organization of SAJV; directly comparable in running participatory democratic programs for Swiss youth at sub-national level.
• National Youth Council of Ireland: Umbrella organization of ~50 voluntary youth organizations in Ireland representing young people at national and EU level; comparable in advocacy, member-network structure, and democratic participation programs (e.g., Dáil na nÓg youth parliament).
• ProJuventute Schweiz: Major Swiss foundation for children and youth that publishes the annual Jugendstudie and co-signs SAJV's campaigns; a directly comparable Swiss peer on policy advocacy and youth welfare programming.

Broad incumbents

• European Youth Forum: Europe-wide umbrella of national youth councils and youth NGOs that SAJV's European Youth Delegates participate in; a broader incumbent in the same advocacy space that sets EU youth policy direction.

Others

• UNICEF / United Nations Youth Delegate Programme: International framework under which SAJV places UN Youth Reps; adjacent enabling program rather than a peer, useful as a structural comparator for how SAJV operates its Youth Delegate work.
• UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein: SAJV member organization that provides international child rights expertise and co-signs advocacy campaigns; an adjacent peer rather than direct competitor, with overlapping children's-rights advocacy scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-youth-council-of-switzerland-sajv-csaj-
• Instagraminstagram.com/sajvcsajfsag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SNYC - Swiss National Youth Council