Associations

In Switzerland there are very many associations and clubs, for example for sport, music or culture. Many people volunteer in them. The Constitution guarantees freedom of association. This means: every person may found an association, join an association or leave it. There are no conditions such as income, sex or a minimum age of 21.

Two people are enough to found an association. They write articles of association, in other words the rules of the association. These contain the purpose, the finances and the bodies such as the committee and the general meeting. Associations are important for living together and for integration. One example is the neighbourhood association (Quartierverein): it represents the interests of the people in a neighbourhood.