Our story
1 Franc for the Climate
Since 2021, our association has had the chance to cross paths with many passionate and energetic people, who have helped to shape it and make it grow.
2025
TBC TBC
2025 marks an important milestone for the association. Charlotte de la Baume and Mathias Faigaux decide to hand over the presidency to Jérémy Lovey , Élise Müller and Clémence Le Rolland , all three also former students of the École Hôtelière de Lausanne. Léna Fant withdraws from the project to devote herself to another association.
The association remains true to its mission of collaborating with restaurants and hospitality players in Switzerland to promote, finance and support innovative projects that reduce the climate impact of the sector. It continues to encourage sustainable entrepreneurship by supporting local initiatives focused on sustainability and short supply chains.
In this dynamic of renewal, a new visual identity and a communication message are developed in partnership with the Atelier Giulia Ferla , marking a new phase of evolution for the association.
In 2025, the association will continue planting trees with Almighty Tree, thus participating in the regeneration of forests and the preservation of Swiss natural landscapes.
2021
Mathias Faigaux on the left and Charlotte de La Baume on the right during the first planting in 2021 in Froideville, VD.
At the end of 2020, the association's statutes were drafted by Charlotte de la Baume and Mathias Faigaux, a former student of the École Hôtelière de Lausanne and co-founder of Beelong Sàrl, a Lausanne company specializing in the sustainability of food products and environmental data management. From the outset, they also took on the co-presidency of the association, thus guiding its first actions and its strategic direction.
From the first months, Charlotte and Mathias developed the concept around planting trees and supporting local suppliers, while working on the first visual identity and communication message of the association.
In March 2021, a test plantation was carried out in partnership with Almighty Tree, thanks to the funds raised during EHL's Sustainability Week: each student contributes 50 cents, doubled by EHL, for a total of 1,800 students mobilized. This action allows the planting of 56 trees in Froideville (VD).
In April 2021, Simon Hude joined the initiative as project manager.
In June 2021, a pilot phase was launched with around ten restaurateurs in French-speaking Switzerland. The concept was tested with a system of donations via TWINT, added to the bill, as well as an initial base of local suppliers, already including six partners.
2022
Simon Hude on the right during the second planting in 2022 in Froideville, VD.
In 2022, Simon Hude continued to develop the association, and a new approach was born: in addition to traditional donations, some restaurateurs chose to add a contribution of 1 franc per carafe of water served, or on a specific dish on the menu. This development makes it possible to integrate the collection more naturally into consumption habits.
The expansion continues with active prospecting among restaurateurs. By the end of the year, 50 establishments were participating in the initiative, supported by a network of 30 local suppliers.
Significant support also comes from the Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, which is providing a contribution of CHF 5,000 to support the project.
Another key step: the association obtains recognition of public utility from the cantonal tax administration of the canton of Vaud, thus reinforcing its legitimacy and impact.
In terms of actions on the ground, two plantations are organized:
195 trees planted in Froideville (VD)
700 trees planted in Allaman (VD)
2023
Far right, Loredana Damiani and Simon Hude during planting in 2023 in Landeron, NE.
In 2023, the team expands with the arrival of Loredana Damiani, who joins Simon Hude as an intern for the first semester. In September, Léna Fant also joins the association as an intern, thus strengthening the operational capacities of the project.
The initiative continues to attract new partners: at the end of the year, 80 restaurants and 30 suppliers took part in the adventure, marking great progress.
Financial support is also being consolidated. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise is renewing its commitment, and a new partnership with Vaudoise Assurances is providing a contribution of CHF 5,000 to support the association's actions.
At the same time, five plantations are being organised, enabling a total of 4,800 trees to be planted on several sites in French-speaking Switzerland:
Gimel (VD) – 874 trees
Froideville (VD) – 250 trees
Genolier (VD) – 3,126 trees
Le Landeron (NE) – 200 trees
Etagnières (VD) – 350 trees
2024
Léna Fant on the right during a plantation in 2024 in Froideville, VD.
In February, Léna Fant took over the project full time, thus ensuring the continuity of the association's actions, while Simon Hude decided to join Beelong Sàrl.
Despite a difficult year for the catering sector, work with restaurants and hoteliers continues, and the network remains stable with more than 80 restaurants and 30 suppliers involved in the project.
Four plantations are organized, allowing a total of 3,450 trees to be planted on several sites in French-speaking Switzerland:
Meyrin (GE) – 700 trees
Nyon Paléo (VD) – 2,300 trees
Etagnières (VD) – 200 trees
Froideville (VD) – 250 trees