Privacy and Cookies Policy
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Last updated: October 2026.
A. Introduction
Fondation Botnar is a philanthropic foundation established in 2003 that works to create a world that upholds young people’s rights, agency and opportunities in urban and digital spaces. In connection with the operation of our website and our communications, Fondation Botnar processes certain personal data. We take the protection of personal data seriously and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws, in particular the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
This Privacy and Cookies Policy explains how we collect and process personal data when you use our website (https://www.fondationbotnar.org/), contact us through the website, subscribe to receive news from Fondation Botnar, or otherwise interact with website functions covered by this Policy. It explains what data we collect, why and how we use them, recipients and international transfers, retention, your rights, and our use of cookies and similar technologies.
1. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time, for example to reflect changes in applicable law, our processing activities or the technologies used on our website. The date of the latest revision will be shown above. Where appropriate, we may provide additional notice of material changes.
2. Consent and withdrawal of consent
This Policy provides information about our processing; using the website does not constitute blanket consent to it. Where we rely on consent, we obtain it separately for the relevant processing activity, for example when you subscribe to our newsletter or select optional cookies through our cookie settings. You may withdraw consent at any time through the relevant unsubscribe or cookie-preference mechanism. Withdrawal does not affect processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.
B. Data Collection and Use
1. What personal data do we collect?
Depending on how you use our website, we may collect personal data that you provide directly to us, such as your name, email address, postal address, organisation and the content of messages or enquiries. We do not generally request sensitive personal data through the website. Please do not provide sensitive personal data through contact forms unless this is necessary for your enquiry.
When you access the website, certain technical information may also be processed automatically. Depending on the website configuration, this may include your IP address, browser and device information, operating system, date and time of access, referring URL, pages accessed and server or security log data. If analytics or similar technologies are enabled in accordance with your cookie preferences, additional usage data may be collected as described in Section F.
2. How and why do we use personal data?
We may process personal data to operate, maintain and secure the website; respond to enquiries and correspondence; provide newsletters or other communications you have requested; administer subscriptions and communication preferences; understand website use and, where applicable, analyse and improve its performance and content; and comply with applicable legal obligations or establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Where the GDPR applies, the legal basis depends on the relevant activity and may include your consent, steps taken at your request, compliance with a legal obligation, or Fondation Botnar’s legitimate interests in operating, securing and improving its website and communications. Where processing is based on legitimate interests, we consider those interests against the rights and interests of the individuals concerned.
3. Newsletters and Mailchimp
If you subscribe to a Fondation Botnar newsletter or other optional communication, we use the contact information you provide to send the requested communications and administer your subscription. We currently use Mailchimp, a third-party email marketing service, to manage and deliver newsletters. Mailchimp may process information such as your email address, subscription status and communication preferences on our behalf. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link included in the relevant communication or by contacting us. Where required, subscription is based on your consent.
4. Service providers and other recipients
We may disclose personal data to service providers where necessary to operate the website or provide requested services. These may include website hosting and technical providers, analytics providers, newsletter and communications providers, security providers and providers of embedded content. In particular, the website and related communications currently make use of services provided by Google (including Google Analytics and YouTube), Vimeo and Mailchimp. If social-media integrations such as Facebook/Meta are used, those providers may also receive personal data when you interact with the relevant functionality. Providers acting on our behalf are subject to applicable contractual and legal requirements; some integrated providers may also process data for their own purposes under their own privacy terms. We may also disclose personal data where required by law or necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
5. Google Analytics
Fondation Botnar currently uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, to understand how visitors use the website and improve its performance and content. Depending on the configuration, Google Analytics may process information such as your IP address, browser and device information, general location derived from your IP address, referring website, pages visited and interactions with the website. Google may also process information collected through the service in accordance with its applicable terms and privacy documentation. Optional analytics technologies are activated in accordance with the choices available through our cookie settings where consent or an opt-out mechanism is required under applicable law.
6. Google Analytics 4
This website uses Google Analytics 4, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (“Google”).
Google Analytics helps us understand how visitors use our website and improve its content and functionality. It collects information such as pages visited, time spent on the website, interactions, browser and device information, and approximate location. Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies for this purpose. According to Google, Google Analytics 4 does not log or store users’ IP addresses.
We use Google Analytics only with your consent, in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You may withdraw your consent at any time through our cookie settings.
Personal data may be transferred to Google companies in the United States, subject to the safeguards described in Section 6.
User-level and event-level data collected through Google Analytics are retained for 14 months. Cookie retention periods are specified in our cookie settings.
For further information, please refer to Google's Privacy Policy and Google Analytics: Safeguarding your data.
7. International transfers
Some service providers may process personal data outside Switzerland and, where relevant, outside the European Economic Area. Where personal data are transferred to a country that does not provide an adequate level of data protection under applicable law, Fondation Botnar uses appropriate safeguards, such as recognised standard contractual clauses, unless another lawful transfer mechanism or exception applies. Information on relevant destination countries and safeguards is provided where required by applicable law.
C. Data Security
Fondation Botnar implements appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, alteration or disclosure. No method of transmission or storage can, however, be guaranteed to be completely secure.
D. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or as required by applicable legal or regulatory obligations. Retention periods vary depending on the type of data and purpose of processing. In determining appropriate periods, we consider the nature and sensitivity of the data, the purpose and duration of processing, applicable legal requirements and whether the data remain necessary. More specific retention information should be provided where appropriate, including for website logs, enquiries, newsletter subscriptions and cookie or analytics data.
E. Your Rights
Depending on the applicable data protection law and circumstances, you may have the right to request information about and access to your personal data, have inaccurate data corrected, request deletion, restrict or object to certain processing, and receive certain personal data in a portable format. Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. Rights may be subject to limitations or exceptions under applicable law.
To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details in Section G. We may need to verify your identity before responding. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent data protection authority. In Switzerland, the competent federal authority is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). Where the GDPR applies, you may also have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent EU/EEA supervisory authority.
F. Cookies and Similar Technologies
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies may also be used to store or access information on your device. Some cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function; others may support preferences, analytics, embedded content or other optional functions. Cookies may be session cookies, which expire when you close your browser, or persistent cookies, which remain for a defined period. They may be set by Fondation Botnar (first-party cookies) or by third-party providers.
2. Categories and purposes
Depending on the website’s current configuration, we may use strictly necessary technologies required for core functions and security; preference or functional technologies; analytics technologies used to understand website usage and performance; and technologies associated with external media or other third-party content. The cookie settings should identify the categories actually used and provide further information on relevant cookies or technologies, their purposes and duration.
3. Third-party services and embedded content
The website currently uses or integrates third-party services including Google Analytics, YouTube, Vimeo and Mailchimp. Google Analytics uses cookies or similar technologies to help us understand website usage. Videos from Fondation Botnar’s YouTube and Vimeo channels may be embedded on the website; when you activate embedded content, information may be transmitted to the relevant provider and cookies or similar technologies may be set. Mailchimp is used to manage and deliver newsletters and may use technologies associated with newsletter delivery and measurement. If Facebook/Meta or other social-media functionality is integrated, the relevant provider may also receive information when you interact with that functionality. Optional third-party technologies are enabled in accordance with the choices available through the cookie settings where required.
Further information is available in the providers’ privacy information:
- Google and YouTube: https://policies.google.com/privacy;
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/privacy;
- Mailchimp: https://www.intuit.com/privacy/statement/; and, if applicable,
- Meta/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/.
4. Managing cookie preferences
When you first visit the website, the cookie settings allow you to accept or reject optional technologies and, where available, manage choices by category. Strictly necessary technologies may be used without consent where permitted by law because they are required for operation or security. Where consent is required, optional technologies are not activated before consent is given. You can review, change or withdraw your choices at any time through the cookie settings available on the website. Withdrawal does not affect processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.
5. Browser settings
You can also configure your browser to block or delete cookies. Browser controls are supplementary to the cookie settings provided on the website. Blocking certain strictly necessary or functional technologies may affect the availability or operation of parts of the website.
G. Controller and Contact
Fondation Botnar is the controller responsible for the processing of personal data described in this Policy. For questions about this Policy or our processing of personal data, or to exercise your rights, please contact:
Fondation Botnar
St. Alban-Vorstadt 56
4052 Basel
Switzerland