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Get Involved – Your Opportunities to Participate with or without a Swiss passport

There are many ways to get involved in shaping life in the City of Zurich. Everyone living in the city should have the opportunity to participate in the community, no matter their nationality or background.

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

Political Participation Processes:
Political participation refer to how individuals or groups contribute to or influence political decisions, often through civic engagement.

Political Participation in the Narrower Sense: This includes the right to vote in federal, cantonal, and municipal elections and referendums. Eligible voters can vote on specific issues, elect members of parliament and government, run for office themselves, or launch initiatives and referendums. In the Canton of Zurich, only Swiss citizens who are of legal age and mentally competent have the right to vote and be elected.

Political Participation in the Broader 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 and elect (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. The Canton of Zurich does not currently grant these rights.

Voting rights
Political rights


Joining a Political Party:
Political parties bring together people with shared political views. They are usually organized by city districts and work on political issues, represent their members' interests, support candidates, and participate in the legislative process.

People without a Swiss passport can also join political parties. You can take part and express your opinion. Contact a party directly to apply for membership.

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


Submitting a Petition:
If you have a concern, you can contact the relevant authority or submit a petition. A petition is a written request to an authority. Everyone has the right to submit one (Article 33 of the Constitution).

In Zurich, anyone who is mentally competent can start a petition. You can collect signatures and send the petition to the City Council or the responsible office. The authority must review the petition within six months and respond.

If you are in conflict with a city authority, you can contact the Ombudsoffice of the City of Zurich. They will review your case, explain the relevant rules, and look for solutions that work for all sides.

Petition
Start a petition
Ombudsman's Office of the City of Zurich  


Becoming a Member of Associations, Trade Unions, or 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
Gewerkschaftsbund Kanton Zürich


Foreigners' Advisory Board:
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


Taking Your Own Initiative:
You can help shape the city by getting involved. Civic initiative is important for social and political life. Zurich welcomes individuals and organizations that work to improve living conditions and promote community in neighborhoods. 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, the Advisory Office for Diversity, Integration, Anti-Racism, 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  


Joining a Neighbourhood Association:
Neighbourhood associations work to improve quality of life in their areas. They play an important role in connecting people and organizing events where residents can engage with issues affecting their neighborhood.

They also represent the neighborhood's interests to the city administration. Anyone can join – and by getting involved, you gain insight and a voice.

Quartiervereine der Stadt Zürich


Parental Involvement in Schools:
Zurich schools work together with parents. Parents can get involved in parent councils or parent forums, where the well-being of the children is the main focus.

If you're interested, contact your child's school. Opportunities for involvement are often discussed at parents' evenings.

Parent participation School


Participation in City Projects:
Today, many city plans and ideas are developed in dialogue with those affected. Zurich's City Council values cooperation with residents, businesses, and other actors. Participation processes are part of the city's administrative culture. These opportunities are announced in neighborhood newspapers and online (participation processes).

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