For the third time, a call for ECOPROX projects was issued last March. Of the 16 proposals received, the State Council selected five initiatives that promote local growth in line with sustainable development. This third round of selections, co-financed for a total of 169,300 francs, gives prominence to initiatives that support the cantonal economy.

As part of the priorities outlined in the Regional Strategic Positioning Agreements (APS), the ECOPROX program aims to support initiatives that foster local commerce, revitalize city and village centers, promote the purchase of local products, and stimulate partnerships. In the wake of the “I’m Taking Action for My Canton” campaign—launched in 2020 to support the local economy affected by the COVID crisis—the State Council expedited the process of issuing calls for projects under the ECOPROX program.

This third call for proposals was somewhat less successful, as only 16 applications were submitted (75 in 2020 and 37 in 2021). Among all these collaborative and creative initiatives, five projects were selected for a total investment of more than 454,000 francs, of which 169,300 francs were co-financed by the ECOPROX program. Selected on the basis of a multi-criteria analysis—which takes into account, in particular, sustainable development issues and the absence of local competition—these initiatives all contribute to building a more responsible and inclusive society and to maximizing the local circulation of wealth. The selected projects are listed in the appendix.

The Council of State wishes to maintain this momentum in support of the local economy in the coming years. Support will continue through existing mechanisms, although the focus of these efforts will evolve over time.

The 5 projects supported by the ECOPROX 2022 program:

NE Jetez plus
The “Ne jetez plus!” project provides a directory of professionals and organizations that buy, sell, and repair secondhand items along the coast, with the goal of extending the lifespan of these items. The goal is to identify key players in the industry active along the coast and promote their businesses through local communication channels. This project, led by the municipalities of the Neuchâtel Littoral Region, is carried out in collaboration with the Fédération romande des consommateurs.

La Demoiselle
The “La Demoiselle” project aims to increase the visibility and promote arts and crafts, encourage short supply chains, revitalize local and neighborhood businesses, and bring new life to the center of La Chaux-de-Fonds by showcasing the traditional skills taught in the region. The La Demoiselle association (comprising four female designers) will set up, in the new space of their studio-shop, a “temporary residency” space available to designers, artisans, and interns from the School of Applied Arts (EAA), provide an exhibition and promotion space for the arts and crafts open to all professionals, and organize events to promote local arts and crafts and traditional skills, in collaboration with the EAA in La Chaux-de-Fonds, among others.

A Photographic Perspective
The La Vue-des-Alpes–Tête-de-Ran area has been known for decades for its tourism and recreational activities. Prestigious sporting events such as the Perrier Cup and the Feuille d’Or have been held in La Vue-des-Alpes. The La Chaux-de-Fonds City Library houses an extensive photographic collection documenting these burgeoning winter activities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The La Vue-des-Alpes–Tête-de-Ran Development Association plans to display a selection of these images along a winter walking trail north of La Vue-des-Alpes during the winter of 2023–2024. This exhibition will showcase the history of tourism in La Vue-des-Alpes–Tête-de-Ran and the area’s significant potential for development. The goal of this initiative is to serve as a catalyst for development as part of the ongoing discussions between the site and the municipality of Val-de-Ruz.


Diversified Orchard The project, led by the La Bor Cooperative, aims to create a diversified agroforestry orchard that will combine standard, half-standard, and dwarf trees, berry bushes, and medicinal plants, along with vegetable gardens, pastures, and other features designed to further promote biodiversity. In addition to organic fruit production (including processed products), this unique, public space will serve as an ideal platform for experimentation and outreach to raise awareness about local food systems and organic production, to promote this farming method and facilitate its replication, and to share traditional know-how (through training programs).

Alternative Healthcare and Wellness Center in Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane
As part of the spatial reorganization of the Val-de-Ruz administration, municipal facilities will become available in Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane. The municipality aims to create a space there that will allow therapists providing care (beyond basic medical services) to set up practice in the part of the valley where there is a shortage of such services for the community. An association is being created at the municipality’s initiative to manage the provision of these facilities. It will be responsible for “recruiting” therapists and making the necessary renovations. It will have access to public funds earmarked for this purpose as well as for promoting the center’s activities.