The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship selected Paolo Richter, founder of Gump- und Drahtesel as "Swiss Social Entrepreneur 2009". In this fourth edition, the Foundation together with its partners, The Boston Consulting Group, Die Mobiliar and the weekly Bilanz, honours organizations with innovative and sustainable solutions to societal and ecological challenges.
Paolo Richters company Gump- und Drahtesel convinced the jury with its sustainable international project that has helped unemployed people to be re-integrated into the labour market in Switzerland while recycling old bicycles for Africa.
Paolo Richter has made his hobby - collecting and restoring old bicycles - into one of the most respected work integration programmes in the canton of Bern. 750 people are employed in his bicycle and wood workshops every year and receive professional coaching and training to re-integrate the labour market. A part from restoring bicycles for Africa the workshops also restore antiques which is then sold in its factory shop Pico Bello in Bern.
A jury comprised of representatives of the partner organizations as well as, among others Pascale Bruderer, Vice President of the Swiss National Council, Roland Decorvet, CEO Nestlé Switzerland and Gisèle Girgis, Member of the Board, Migros selected the "Swiss Social Entrepreneur 2009“ among a group of four finalists. The other three finalists were Patrick Honauer, Founder axisBildung, Helen von Arx, ESPOIR and Robert Schmuki and Midnight Projects.
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