The charity stamp – past and present
In 1912, Pro Juventute was founded to combat the spread of tuberculosis – financed by the sale of a charity stamp. The stamp surcharge continues to benefit the foundation’s projects to this day.
At the time of Pro Juventute’s founding, some 10,000 people in Switzerland are suffering from tuberculosis. The goals of the foundation’s initiators are to use preventive measures to curb the disease and to campaign for the good health of children and young people. The first projects are to be financed with a charity stamp, with the proceeds going to the foundation:
“In 1912, Swiss Post authorizes the sale by Pro Juventute of a 10-centime stamp that is not valid for postage,” explains Lulzana
Musliu, Head of Public Affairs & Media at the Pro Juventute Foundation. This marks the start of the popular stamp series.
In a changing society
In response to high demand, the first 5-centime stamp valid for postage is issued the following year with a surcharge of a further 5 centimes for the foundation. 3.3 million are sold in 1913. While the proceeds initially went towards fighting tuberculosis, they were used to help families in need during the First World War. “Over the years, as society has changed, the focal points of our commitment have also changed,” explains Musliu. In the
1950s, for example, the foundation initiated the first Robinson playgrounds, while, in the 1990s, it set up the confidential help- line number 147, which to this day is still available for children and young people free of charge, around the clock and every day of the year.
From wartime aid to media training
Today, the foundation is financed mainly by donations and be- quests, as well as partnerships and sponsoring. Since the incep- tion of Pro Juventute, Swiss Post has supported the organization as a partner. “Buying Pro Juventute stamps allows everyone to do something good – in terms of crowdfunding,” says Stefan Bühler, Head of Stamps & Philately at Swiss Post, explaining the commitment. The surcharge of 50 and 60 centimes per stamp goes into the general pot used by the foundation to fi- nance its services: “Our current focus is on early childhood, mental health, media literacy and the transition from school to work.” In addition to the 147 number, this includes, for example, free job application training to help young people get started with their career or courses that teach competent use of digital media. Other services are aimed at parents, such as letters for parents or parent counselling.
