Articles & Interviews

Recent conflicts in Syria and Iraq have created the largest refugee crisis since World War II. Too often reporting has overlooked the consequences for young children’s brain development, emotional and cognitive growth, academic and economic trajectory.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Klaus J. Jacobs Awards, the Jacobs Foundation has awarded ten prizes to social innovators in the field of child and youth development.

Throughout life, we encounter changing environments that require us to learn and adapt. Human brain plasticity describes the capacity of our brain to change in response to these experiences.

The town of Zug is known for being favorably disposed to business, but it is also very child- and family-friendly. So it was no surprise that town council member Vroni Straub-Müller was a strong supporter of the Primokiz Zug project.

The Primokiz project group worked hard to develop a plan for Zofingen, which received the unanimous support of the town council. However, convincing the council’s legislative body (Einwohnerrat) proved politically difficult.

When Pratteln became involved in Primokiz, the town was already in the midst of a pilot project related to early childhood education.

Muri-Gümligen is a suburban community near Berne. The town council, which attaches great importance to prevention – not least for financial reasons – was instrumental in developing a concept for early childhood education and care.

Many nonprofits struggle to secure enough funding. To make up the shortfall, a growing number are developing innovative business models that combine for-profit and nonprofit activities.

The 2017 Philanthropy Report which the Economist conducted in cooperation with BNP Paribas features among other leaders in social impact investment, Lavinia Jacobs, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jacobs Foundation with a conversation on traditional values, and social impact investment with a new approach.