An impact programme that drives sustainable development
Through its Sustainable Impact Program and new Living Labs, the ZHAW is strengthening its practice-oriented sustainability efforts and promoting applied research and teaching.
The ZHAW is strategically expanding its sustainability activities through the Sustainable Impact Program. As a central funding platform, it brings together students, staff and external partners to foster a culture in which sustainability is embedded across teaching, research and practice.
This initiative is supported by the 2025-2026 programme of swissuniversities, which aims to foster a culture of sustainability at Swiss universities. It helps strengthen links between teaching, research and societal dialogue, while embedding sustainability across universities with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Spaces for learning and experimentation
Funding from swissuniversities enables the expansion of existing instruments such as the Student Project Fund and the Living Lab Fund. In addition, a new coordination unit has been established, headed by Milena Eberharter-Fink. She will ensure that Living Labs activities are more closely coordinated and receive professional support.
Living Labs are at the heart of this new approach. Here, students, researchers and industry partners work together on specific sustainability challenges in an interdisciplinary and co-creative way. The projects take place not only in laboratories but also in real-world environments. This promotes transformative learning, applied research and entrepreneurship. These activities have been bundled in a growing Community of Practice since 2025, fostering exchange and promoting systematic transfer between teaching, research and practice. In addition, it supports the integration of sustainability in the areas of teaching and research activities, campus operations and regional partnerships.