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What to expect from a GoSimple Sustainable City Tour or a Climate Confession

admin_gre — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:50:22 +0000

Anja Tester, mother of three, project and program manager and sustainability enthusiast, participated in the GoSimple Program run by the association GreenUp from February to June 2025 (1st from left in the photo). GreenUp is a non-profit organisation which has its roots in the city and canton of Basel and works across Switzerland to inspire people to act for sustainability and adopt a resource-light lifestyle at home and at work. The Go Simple Program is its flagship offering for individuals and households showcasing this simpler life through workshops and talks. As part of the program Anja was able to join a GoSimple Sustainable City Tour. This is the impact it had on her:

I must admit that, to begin with, I was sceptical about the idea of a Sustainable City Tour as part of the GoSimple Program. When I looked at the list of shops I thought: I know these shops, I know where they are, What am I going to learn here that I don’t already know?

Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The tour challenged my own choices and behaviours. It was a true mindset shift moment for me that will stick. How so?

I consider myself a climate forward person that is aware about the challenges our world faces and that actively seeks out information, sustainable options and alternatives. I sometimes ask myself what else I could be doing when I am already skipping meat, cycle to most places and try more and more to avoid packaging?

The tour revealed that in many ways I am still stuck in my comfort zone of what I have always been doing, of “what I know” and what is convenient.

As part of the Go Simple Sustainable City Tour, we visited several shops in Basel, learned about their concepts; why and how they work for a more sustainable world. We learned about how ‘Re-Work’ uses fabrics destined for landfill to turn them into new clothes. We learned how Swiss brand “Erfolg” prioritises using local materials and production and we heard more about organic farming and fair trade at “Sahara”. While standing in these shops, I thought about my most recent shopping behaviours. I had just updated my wardrobe by buying at H&M. The lure of their promise to recycle my old fabrics AND the discount voucher I received were stronger than my convictions. I prioritised buying cheaply and conveniently.

This realisation hit me hard.

By buying high street…

By buying new instead of second hand…

By buying cheaply…

By buying “Made on the other side of the world” …

…wasn’t I perpetuating the system that I want to change?

…couldn’t my own choices be more supportive of the good business practices such as circularity and reusing that I have learned about and that I favour?

The Sustainable City Tour revealed opportunities for how and where I can use my power as a consumer and as an individual to make an impact.

It turns out that Basel with its many second hand and circular economy stores, flea markets and repair cafes offers a wide range of opportunities to do things differently. The GoSimple Sustainable City Tour makes it easy, on top of being a very pleasant walk in the very picturesque city centre of Basel. I highly recommend this tour if – like me – you are looking to strengthen your own power as an individual in order to tackle climate change, lead a more sustainable life in alignment with your values.

If you would enjoy experiencing the tour as part of a community of like minded people like Anja did, join us for our next Go Simple Program (in German) starting in September 2025. Benefit now from the Early Bird price!

If you prefer to explore in your own time, the brand new GoSimple Sustainable City Tour available in the Actionbound-App is just right for you. Simply download the app, search GoSimple Sustainable City Tour and start exploring.

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GoSimple Workshop: Die Ernährung der Zukunft

Nicole — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:30:00 +0000

Entdecke die Auswirkungen deiner Ernährung auf die Umwelt und erfahre, wie du Lebensmittelabfälle und deinen CO2-Fussabdruck reduzieren kannst.

Mit das GreenUp Workshop Team mit u.a. Stephanie Csendes von Circular Basel kreiert und teilt ihr leckere Rezepte und begibt sich auf spielerische und interaktive Art und Weise auf eine Reise in unser Lebensmittelsystem.
Gemeinsam mit Michaela Kuijvenhoven, Expertin für ökologischen Fussabdruck untersucht ihr euren Fussabdruck, wie ihr euch dabei fühlt und wo ihr meint, dass ihr am meisten bewirken könnt.

GoSimple
Dieser Workshop ist der erste einer Serie von 4, die zusammen das „GoSimple Challenge Programm“ für einen einfacheren Lebensstil für dich und deinen Haushalt / WG / Partner enthalten. Nehmt an einem einzelnen Workshop teil oder taucht wirklich tiefer ein und meldet euch für das gesamte Programm an, lass dich inspirieren, werde teil der GoSimple community und stelle dich herausforderungen die zu dir und deinen passt. Lerne mehr hier >> https://www.gosimple.ch/gosimple2025de

Das Programm bietet auch ein Kinderprogramm, so dass die ganze Familie mitmachen kann, falls zutreffend für dich.

Für nur 149 CHF oder 129 CHF mit Early Bird Rabatt bis am 15. August.
Bist du interessiert, aber kannst du es dich nicht leisten? Bewerbe dich für eines der 5 kostenlosen Tickets? gosimple@green-up.ch

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GoSimple Talk: Steward-Ownership – A path to sustainable entrepreneurship

Anne-Laure Felix — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:30:00 +0000

What do Patagonia, Bosch and Ecosia have in common? How can companies remain independent, strengthen social responsibility and preserve sustainable values? Steward ownership is an innovative ownership model that ensures long-term economic stability and protects corporate values.

In this online talk, you will find out why steward ownership is a sustainable alternative to traditional corporate management, especially for SMEs, and how employees can benefit from it.

Dr Caroline Obolensky is CEO of the Thurgau Institute for Digital Transformation (TIDIT) and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of St. Gallen. As a social scientist, she researches the social movement ‘Purpose Economy’ and investigates how steward-ownership secures long-term independence for companies.

What can you expect in this online talk?

An introduction to the concept of steward-ownership – what it is and how it works
Concrete practical examples from companies that are already successfully using this model
Insight into the research findings of Dr Caroline Obolensky on the social and economic relevance of steward-ownership
Q&A: Ask your questions and find out how this model could be implemented in your company

Talk will be in German.

Registration: https://www.gosimple.ch/details-registrierung/gosimple-talk-steward-ownership

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Climate communication – climate change affects us all, so let’s talk!

Anne-Laure Felix — Tue, 13 May 2025 17:30:00 +0000

Climate change affects us all – and how we talk about it makes a huge difference. In this exciting session, environmental and business psychologist Nicole Haiderer will share with us how good climate communication can help create better understanding, move people to action and bridge gaps.

Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a business leader or simply want to make a difference, you are part of the climate story. But are you telling it in a way that makes others really listen?

Nicole brings a wealth of experience in behavioral research, sustainability and communication strategy to the table and will combine science with real practice, leading us through:

How to have climate conversations that feel natural and appropriate
Some simple tricks to use in order to create real connection through shared values
What to avoid so that conversations don’t end in a fight
How to deal with misinformation – without going straight to confrontation and
how your voice contributes to the great climate movement in everyday life

As co-founder of Keen Minds, Nicole supports organizations in truly implementing sustainable change. In this session, you will get helpful tips and everyday tools to make climate communication effective and human – without any technical jargon.

Want to be part of it? Then sign up – and add your voice to the climate story

When: May 13th, 17.30

Where: online

Language: German

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Going Simple – the GoSimple programme is empowering more and more households

Nicole — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 19:42:02 +0000

91.5 % of respondents believe that it was worthwhile taking part in the 2023 and even more of them would recommend it to others!

A great outcome of the 2023 programme that featured a wide variety of households from the Canton of Basel-City, as well as from the countryside. Households that are already well underway, and others that were just starting off. The mixture inspired each other and helped to share experiences and concrete tips, as well as challenges.

GoSimple is a 4-month programme for households, to live more resourcelight in their city. They meet up at practical and inspiring workshops around the themes of food, circularity and conscious living, as well as local consumption, mobility and change-making in my city. After each workshop they take on a challenge around the theme at stake, and practice different behavior, such as causing less foodwaste, or rather doing a digital detox. Learn more on www.gosimple.ch

And then the million dollar question… what did they take-away and learn, what are they planning to do in their daily lives? Here a quick view of that:

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