Organisation

Legal form

ecoloc GmbH is an independent non-profit limited company under Swiss law.

Roles

Our organization comprises various roles essential for its operation:
Associates (ecoloc GmbH): Entrusted with operational tasks and entitled to equitable shares in ecoloc as stipulated in their employment agreements.
Advisory Board: Composed of seasoned experts who provide strategic counsel.
Fellowship: Contributes diverse perspectives to our work and serves as a talent pool for future Associates.

Governance

Operating as a think tank, institutional cooperation platform, and project development agency, we implement a lean management structure based on Sociocracy 3.0 (S3).

Stock Capital

As per our articles of association, each Associate holds a fixed share of CHF 1,000 during their employment tenure.

Remuneration

The maximum wage at ecoloc corresponds to the conditions of wage class 16 in the canton of Basel-Stadt. The maximum difference between the highest and lowest wages corresponds to a ratio of 2:1.

Gender and Diversity

Recognizing the male-dominated nature of our network, we actively encourage and give preference to applications from equally qualified female candidates in our recruitment and selection processes. While we strive for gender parity, we do not currently impose specific gender quotas. We value and embrace diversity in all its forms and aim to create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel respected, valued, and empowered to contribute to our mission.

Operational Language

We have chosen English as our written working language. This decision facilitates engagement on specialist topics within European and international contexts, where English is the primary medium for discussion and development.

Coopetition Principle

Unlike traditional non-competition clauses, we advocate for a “coopetition clause,” which embraces a collaborative approach beyond the limits of our organisation. This principle is rooted in the understanding that developing effective transformation strategies is of paramount importance and requires exceptional cooperation and multi-governance efforts. At the same time, robust peer competition is essential for identifying, developing and implementing the most efficient solutions. Therefore, we promote and encourage competition within a collaborative framework (coopetition). This approach also means we actively support spin-offs from ecoloc, particularly when they demonstrate greater institutional promise outside and next to, rather than within ecoloc. By fostering both competition and cooperation, we aim to accelerate innovation and achieve superior outcomes.

Revenue Model

In the developmental stage of our non-profit organization, we rely on diverse income streams to sustain our mission and activities. We secure funds through grants, donations, and fundraising events, as well as by providing sustainability consulting services to the public banking sector, municipalities and impact investors. Additionally, we attract impact capital to cover funding gaps. Following our business model and at a later stage in our corporate development, we expect income from municipal membership fees and income from management and consulting services in the role of a strategic and financial intermediary in the implementation and management of local and regional development programmes.

Non-Profit Status

As a non-profit organization, our mission extends beyond financial gains, prioritizing the advancement of social and ecological objectives. Profits generated are reinvested into self-financing or directed towards supporting non-profit initiatives aligned with our mission. We emphasize fair and transparent remuneration practices for our employees (→ Remuneration).

However, we are not tax-exempt and do not hold a ZEWO certificate. This deliberate choice aligns with our commitment to fostering economic benefits within a closed circle of stakeholders, notably municipalities and their residents as part of our business model. Our focus on fulfilling the economic interests of these parties precludes tax-exempt status as outlined in ZEWO regulations, but enables us to pursue impactful initiatives that address societal and ecological challenges.

Our emphasis on creating economic benefits for third parties stems from the recognition that current economic structures perpetuate negative externalities, including social inequalities. To effect meaningful transformation, it is imperative to ensure that the majority of the population directly benefits from initiatives aimed at reducing inequality and mitigating other negative external effects, particularly at the local and regional levels.

As a result, our non-profit status presents a discord between regulatory expectations and our philanthropic goals. While our approach of “outcompeting negative externalities in the market” holds promise for creating a broader common good and respecting planetary boundaries, it does not align with traditional tax exemption criteria due to our active engagement in the marketplace. Consequently, our initiatives may be less attractive to traditional philanthropic entities focused on addressing symptomatic effects rather than addressing underlying structural issues. Nonetheless, we remain committed to pursuing innovative strategies that drive positive change and challenge existing paradigms in pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable future.