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Have your say – your opportunities to have a say

In the city of Zurich, there are many ways in which you can participate in the design and development of the city. All residents of the city should be able to participate in living together, no matter where they come from or what passport they have.

The City of Zurich wants everyone living in the city to be able to participate in various political participation processes.

Political participation processes:
The political participation process is understood to be the participation, influence and civil society commitment of a person or group on the decisions of politics.

Political participation in the narrower sense includes the right to participate in federal, cantonal and municipal referendums and elections. This means that voters are allowed to vote on substantive proposals. They are also allowed to elect parliament and the government or be elected themselves and take an initiative or referendum. In the Canton of Zurich, only Swiss citizens who are of legal age and capable of judgment have the right to political participation in the narrower sense.

Political participation in the broader sense involves influencing the political decision-making and decision-making processes. In particular, it includes the right to freedom of expression and the possibility of influencing political decisions through civil society engagement. The right to political participation in the broader sense is enshrined in the fundamental rights of the Swiss Federal Constitution (BV). It applies to the entire population, regardless of their origin or passport.

Political rights
Voting and elections City of Zurich
Active citizenship


Voting and electoral rights:
The right to vote (Art. 136 of the Federal Constitution) is a political right that is linked to Swiss citizenship (Art. 37 of the Federal Constitution) in the Canton of Zurich.

According to the Federal Constitution, the cantons are allowed to decide whether foreigners grant the right to vote and elect in cantonal and/or municipal matters.

Voting rights
Political rights


Membership in a political party:
Parties bring together politically interested people with similar opinions. They are usually organized in a city district. The parties deal with political issues and represent the interests of their members. They also support candidates for public office and participate in new legislative processes.

People without a Swiss passport can also join a party. You can get involved in politics and contribute your opinion. You can apply to the parties for membership.

Parties in the City of Zurich
City Parliament – represented parties  
Political parties Switzerland


Right to petition:
You can contact the competent authority if you have a concern. You can also submit a petition. A petition is a written request to an authority. Everyone has the right to submit a petition (Art. 33 BV).

In the city of Zurich, anyone who is capable of making decisions can start a petition. It can collect signatures and send them in writing to the city council or the responsible authority. The competent authority must examine the petition within six months and comment on it.

If you have a conflict with the city administration, you can contact the Ombudsman's Office of the City of Zurich. The Ombudsman's Office examines your concerns, informs you about the applicable regulations and looks for solutions with which everyone is satisfied.

Petition
Start a petition
Ombudsman's Office City of Zurich  


Membership in associations, trade unions, cooperatives:
Associations, trade unions and cooperatives connect people with similar interests. They make a valuable contribution to integration and represent the interests of their members. Active commitment pays off, whether by helping out at an event or by taking on a leadership role.

If you are a member of such an organization, your interest will be more strongly represented to the outside world. You can register directly with associations, trade unions or cooperatives. You can also set up your own association.

Associations Zurich
Office for Associations
Migrant Associations
Trade Union Federation of the Canton of Zurich


Foreigners and Foreigners' Advisory Council:
Since 2005, the City of Zurich has had a Foreigners' Advisory Council. This body advises the city council. It conveys the concerns and needs of the foreign resident population to the city council.

The city council appoints the advisory councillors on the recommendation of the mayor. Interested parties can contact the Integration Promotion Office of the City of Zurich. They must live in the city of Zurich at the time of the election and must not have Swiss citizenship.

Foreigners' Advisory Council of the City of Zurich


Implement your own initiative:
The city of Zurich can be shaped if you get involved. Personal initiative is important for society and politics. The City of Zurich is pleased when private individuals and associations work for a better living environment and good coexistence in the neighborhood. The City of Zurich is advising the population on the implementation. These include the Office for Social Space and City Life, the Contact Point for Volunteer Work, Integration Promotion, the Zurich Community Centres and the Open Youth Work Zurich (OJA).

Office Social Space
Contact Point Volunteering
FS DIA – Loans Integration projects
Zurich Community Centres
Open youth work  


Membership in a neighbourhood association:
Neighbourhood associations ensure that the quality of life in the neighbourhoods improves. They are important for networking people with each other and they organize events where residents can get involved in topics in the neighborhood.

They also represent the interests of the district vis-à-vis the city administration. Anyone can join a neighbourhood association. Anyone who participates in a neighbourhood association learns a lot and can have a say.

Neighbourhood associations of the city of Zurich


Participation Parents:
In the city of Zurich, schools work together with the parents of the students. Interested parents can get involved in the parents' council or in the parents' forum for parent participation in schools. The focus is on the well-being of the children. Interested parties can contact the schools directly. In most cases, parents' evenings provide information about the opportunities for parents to participate in schools.

Parent participation School


Participation procedure of the city administration:
Many ideas, plans and concepts of public administration are developed today in dialogue with those affected. The City Council of Zurich attaches great importance to cooperation with the population, companies and private actors. Participation processes are therefore part of the administrative culture of the City of Zurich.

For example, you can participate in the development of your neighborhood. The participation procedures are announced in the neighbourhood newspapers and on the Internet.

There are also formal, legally regulated participation procedures for all planning and construction projects. These projects are advertised in the Tagblatt (under Official) of the City of Zurich. If you do not agree with a project, you can file an objection.

Participation processes
Office for Social Space and City Life
Neighbourhood newspapers
Tagblatt Stadt Zürich