In the spring of 2025, the joint initiative “Swiss Geoparks” was launched in response to the need to coordinate regional initiatives in the areas of geotourism and UNESCO Global Geopark nominations.
Due to the Swiss Confederation’s decision not to provide financial support for a national geopark program or for any potential UNESCO Global Geopark nominations, the geoparks.ch association was founded to explore other funding options.
A survey showed that some regions and parks are interested in the Geopark program and are considering applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status.
Further meetings were held to prepare for the founding of the association, led by Andreas Weissen (Binntal Landscape Park) and Thomas Buckingham (Sardona Tectonic Arena UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The geoparks.ch association was founded on June 2, 2025, in Bern. Five members make up the association's governing body.
The founding of the geoparks.ch association addressed a long-standing need to coordinate Swiss geotourism and Switzerland’s UNESCO Global Geopark candidacies.
