Institutional co-operation
The involvement of Basel-Stadt in the institutions of the co-operation areas of North-west Switzerland, the federal government, metropolitan region as well as at the European and international level enables individual strategic foreign policy principles to be realised. In addition to maintaining contacts, specific and detailed objectives are pursued in accordance with the specifications of the Executive Council, and these implemented in alliances based upon partnership. Further information under www.aussenbeziehungen.bs.ch.
Lobbying, marketing, major events
The Executive Council deploys targeted lobbying amongst its target groups in conjunction with selected topics. With its location marketing activities, the Canton exercises the co-ordinated and integrated marketing of Basel as a place to do business. The location marketing unit uses communication/PR tools, and acquires and oversees major events. Further information under www.basel.ch.
Fairs and markets
The Fairs and Markets Department is responsible for the city market, the weekly markets, the flea market, the autumn market and the Christmas market. The Fairs and Markets Department is also responsible for organising circus sites. Further information under www.messenundmaerkte.bs.ch.
Development aid
The Canton of Basel-Stadt makes an annual sum of CHF 1.65 million available for domestic and foreign development projects. A commission appointed by the Executive Council decides on requests for funding on a six-monthly basis. The financial contributions are designed to improve on a sustainable basis the development opportunities of the population in the poorest countries of the world or in particularly deprived regions. There are no geographical or topical restrictions for foreign projects. Within Switzerland, the contributions are used exclusively to benefit the population of needy municipalities or regions and disadvantaged population groups.
» Information sheet for requests (pdf-File)