Clima Now Spotlight

How can we shape the future of water in Switzerland?

Switzerland is often referred to as the “water castle of Europe” because it is the source and reservoir of many of Europe’s major rivers.

Now, it is experiencing profound changes in its water systems due to climate change: From melting glaciers to intense rainfall, shifting river flows, longer dry periods and other challenges are disrupting the natural water cycle. These changes affect not only the availability of water, but also how we manage, distribute, and protect it.

But change also brings opportunity.

To secure a livable future, we must rethink how we interact with water. That means addressing both the root causes and the consequences of climate change — with smart, scalable, and impact-driven ideas.

🤝 Together with Patagonia, Graubünden Ferien, Passugger, and snowstainability we are calling for bold ideas to strengthen the Swiss water cycle.

We defined four key areas where we imagine impactful, actionable ideas:

  1. Water Protection & Biodiversity
    Ideas that safeguard aquatic ecosystems, reduce pollution and restore rivers, wetlands, and natural water cycles.
  2. Balancing Water Use & Preservation
    Solutions to balance the competing water demands across sectors like agriculture, tourism, winter sports, and recreation — while protecting long-term water quality.
  3. Smart Water Management & Circularity
    Innovations that develop and increase intelligent, efficient use, reuse and circularity in water systems — to ensure water supply and treatment to close wastewater loops.
  4. Water Resilience & Climate Adaptation
    Strategies to ensure water availability and reliability during extreme weather, while reducing risk and strengthen adaptive capacity.
Be part of building a climate-resilient future — one idea at a time.

💧 Drop your idea for a water-wise Switzerland!

Submissions are open until June 30, 2025 11:59 am CEST (or until all spots are filled).

Send us your idea now!

Our Spotlight Partners

We have partnered up with in innovative organizations renowned for their pioneering approach and dedication to the Swiss water cycle. They bring their expertise, extensive networks, and genuine commitment to supporting Spotlight 2025.

Where Outdoor Apparel Meets Environmental Activism

Patagonia is a renowned outdoor apparel company that stands out for its commitment to environmental and social responsibility. With a focus on quality and durability, Patagonia designs and produces a wide range of outdoor clothing and gear for activities such as trail running, climbing, skiing, and surfing. Beyond its products, Patagonia is known for its advocacy work on environmental issues, promoting fair labor practices, and supporting grassroots environmental organizations.

Tourist marketing organization of the canton of Graubünden

Graubünden Ferien is the tourism marketing organization of the canton of Graubünden. Together with their partners, they pursue the goal of attracting more guests to Graubünden and making the industry sustainable and fit for the future. The Graubünden heraldic animal, the ibex, is their trademark and they live its characteristics – proud, sure-footed and team-oriented.

Switzerland's oldest mineral water

Passugger is Graubünden’s independent mineral water and the oldest in Switzerland. Whether in its iconic green glass bottle, stylish special edition range or handy PET bottle, Passugger stands for pure, natural mineral water. A commitment to quality, regionality and environmental responsibility characterises every product. With its own Climaqua Fund, Passugger supports people and projects committed to water and climate protection.

Snow + Sustainability = Snowstainability

We love the snow, the mountains and the amazing moments we experience when enjoying snow sports. Unfortunately, these are under threat. We need to take action now to ensure that we can continue to enjoy our passion in the future. Snowstainability brings the snow sports community together – together we can make snow sports more sustainable!

snowstainability was founded in May 2022 by Swiss-Ski and its sustainability partner BKW.

The Process and the Award

1. Submission of ideas

We open the call for submissions on May 5th, 2025.

You can upload your idea via the form on our website.
Describe your vision and goals, and introduce your idea with a 2-minute video and pictures. This will also how your project will be presented on our website if you get selected for the next step.

Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. Submissions are open until June 30, 2025 11:59 am (or until all spots are filled).

After the deadline, our jury will make a preliminary selection to determine which ideas will be featured on our «Wall of Fame».

👀 Details on the selection process and important dates are in the FAQs.

2. Activate your community

Fame to whom fame is due. 👑

All ideas pre-selected by the jury will be posted on the Clima Now «Wall of Fame» on September 8, 2025.

Now, the ideas can be discussed, shared and rated by the public.

It’s your turn to activate your community and gather votes for your idea. After 2 weeks, on September 22, 2025, Public Voting closes and the 7 projects with the most votes will be invited to the Spotlight Pitch Night.

3. Step into the spotlight

The 7 projects with the most votes will take the stage at the Spotlight Pitch Night on October 23, 2025 at Kraftwerk Zurich.

You will step into the spotlight and present your idea to the jury and audience. The prizes to win are:

🥇 1st Place: CHF 50’000
🥈 2nd Place: CHF 25’000
🥉 3rd Place: CHF 10’000
🧡 Audience Award: CHF 5’000

Are you in? The stage is yours!

The Jury

Proven experts from relevant fields and our partner organisations provide Clima Now Spotlight with their knowledge. They review all submitted ideas and make a preliminary selection. At the Pitch Night, they select the winning projects.

Jessica Droujko CEO and co-founder of Riverkin

Jessica Droujko is the CEO and co-founder of Riverkin, a Swiss-based startup democratizing water data through real-time, watershed-scale monitoring systems. With a PhD from ETH Zurich focused on fluvial geomorphology and innovative sensor networks, Jess combines deep scientific expertise with entrepreneurial drive. She has led Riverkin from research to product launch, securing pilot projects with hydropower utilities and expanding into mining and manufacturing sectors. A whitewater kayaker and passionate environmentalist, Jess brings a systems-thinking approach to climate resilience and freshwater ecosystem restoration.

Claudio Daguati Head of Sustainability, Graubünden Ferien

Claudio Daguati is Head of Sustainability at Graubünden Ferien and a passionate advocate for climate-conscious tourism. Raised in the Alps and shaped by a deep connection to nature and outdoor sports, he brings creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership experience to his work. With a background in marketing and a MAS in Brand and Marketing Management, Claudio has led innovative tourism and sustainability projects — including making his region the first in Switzerland to earn the Swissstainable Level 3 label.

Thomas Schreiber Member of the Executive Management, Passugger

Thomas Schreiber is a young entrepreneur from Graubünden and the newest member of the executive leadership at Passugger, Switzerland’s oldest mineral water brand. A trained chef with international experience at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai and Hong Kong, Thomas later earned his diploma as Hotelier-Restaurateur from the prestigious EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality. Most recently, he ran his own logistics company in Chur. At just 29, he brings a new generation of leadership, a deep connection to Graubünden, and a clear focus on innovation and sustainability to the Passugger Mineralquellen AG — helping shape the company’s future in alignment with its strong local roots and values.

Marlen Marconi Head of Strategic Projects, Swiss-Ski & President, snowstainability

Marlen Marconi is a sustainability leader at the intersection of sports, climate, and social impact. As Head of Strategic Projects at Swiss-Ski, she develops and implements strategies to make snow sports more future-fit — from ecological transformation to inclusion and ethical standards. She leads the visionary “Schneesport 2050” project, preparing the Swiss winter sports ecosystem for climate and societal shifts. Marlen also presides over snowstainability, an association dedicated to sustainable snow sports innovation. She is also supporting the Federal Office of Sport (BASPO) with innovation projects for major sporting events.

Anna Cruijsen Environmental Engineer & Developer of sustainable water solutions

Anna Cruijsen graduated as a Civil Engineer from Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands), where she specialized in urban water management. She further expanded her expertise by completing the Master’s program in Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences at Delft, combining environmental engineering with the design and planning of urban and rural spaces. With this interdisciplinary background, Anna develops innovative, resilient solutions that integrate water systems seamlessly into the urban & rural fabric.

Nathalie Moral Climate Tech VC, Co-Founder and CEO, Clima Now

Nathalie Moral is the Co-Founder and CEO of Clima Now. With a strong background in impact investing and climate tech, Nathalie is driven by the desire to actively shape a better future. Raised in Switzerland with Spanish roots, she was inspired early on by her parents’ social engagement in India. After earning her degree from the University of St. Gallen, she worked at PwC in London, Bain & Company in Zurich, and LGT Venture Philanthropy. In 2012, she founded her own consultancy, mavia, specializing in social impact. Today, she is also active as a climate tech VC.

Martin Meili Co-Founder and President of the Foundation Board, Clima Now

Martin Meili took part in the first Earth Day in 1970 as an exchange student in the USA and was already confronted with the problems of climate change and the “point of no return”. With his commitment to Clima Now, he wants to ensure that suitable solutions are finally promoted and appropriate measures are taken.

Anyssia Bovier Innovation & Ecosystem Facilitator, BlueArk

Anyssia Bovier supports innovation in water management at BlueArk Entremont, an innovation hub in the Swiss Alps. With a background in ecosystem building, she focuses on connecting stakeholders, supporting collaborative initiatives, and fostering an environment where innovative solutions can thrive. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Water Governance and Frameworks from the University of Geneva. Day by day, Anyssia coordinates calls for projects, conducts technology monitoring. Additionally, she has contributed to the selection of companies for the WaterTech Tour over several years, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing the water sector.

Our Network Partners

Strong ideas need strong allies. We’re proud to collaborate with a growing network of organizations that help amplify our Call for Projects:

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