News & Testimonials

Lausanne residents who are participating

The City of Lausanne set out to meet people who are actively involved. They told us why they are involved in participatory projects in Lausanne.

Discover the profiles and testimonials created for International Democracy Day on September 15, 2026. They were shared on the City of Lausanne’s social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook) as well as in the Journal communal (September 2, 2026, edition).

And you, how do you help foster democracy?

FATEMA

Fatema Alipoor has just graduated from high school and is working at her family’s newsstand during the summer break. She has been a member of the Lausanne Youth Council for five years and has also served on the Vaud Canton Youth Commission for three years. Her final year in a bilingual program in Bern temporarily reduced her involvement in local activities.

Her desire to get involved stemmed from a love of debate, which was noticed by a teacher who then directed her toward the Youth Council. “It was impressive the first time I walked into the City Council chamber at City Hall, but in reality, it’s very friendly,” she says. There, she learned to collaborate with everyone, progressing from member to working group leader. At the Vaud Canton Youth Commission, members are called upon to comment on motions and draft legislation. “I’ve found the right balance between the two roles.”

Her involvement in the “What Do We Do After School?” campaign was a defining experience. Having come from the general track, she experienced the stress of the transition to high school without fully realizing the academic demands. “This campaign came at just the right time. I was grateful to be able to help other young people in the same situation.”

This immersion experience has sharpened her understanding of how the administrative system works. “You think everything is simple, but there are barriers. I’ve learned patience.” The Youth Council is currently preparing for the upcoming 18th birthday gala. And with the arrival of new members, other projects will gradually emerge.

LYSANDER

Lysander Jessenberger lives with his family in the hills above Lausanne and works in communications. Passionate about music and cycling, he is actively involved in public life. For example, he participated in the workshops on adapting the 2025 Climate Plan. This stemmed from a personal interest and a desire for dialogue. “I’ve taken several courses on the subject, and I’m interested in public policy in this area,” he explains. “I enjoyed the participatory approach. Working with other residents of Lausanne to build something together is inspiring.”

The afternoon workshop stood out for the quality of the discussions. “I appreciated having access to experts we don’t usually get to talk with. People were eager to ask questions, not just to express an opinion.”

Lysander also took part in a workshop on the Lighting Plan, aimed at reducing light pollution and enhancing the beauty of Lausanne’s nights. He noted that the participants’ needs had been taken into account. “The City of Lausanne really took opinions into account street by street. This confirms my impression of an administration that is close to the people.”

He regularly participates in various participatory initiatives. “You meet people who are all very different from one another. It makes me feel like I live in a city that wants to engage with its residents and fosters a sense of community built on active bonds of trust.”

ISA

Isa Boucharlat, co-founder of La Trame in Lausanne, explains how she used the “Lausanne participe” digital platform to develop the La Trame project. The 2021 participatory budget funded its launch and established its credibility, enabling it to secure a lease. She invites everyone to submit their projects and vote to help shape the city.

NICOLAS

Nicolas Bozon, a volunteer observer, took part in the participatory census of swallows, swifts, and bats in Lausanne. He explains why the “Lausanne participe” digital platform is important to him.

HELAY

Helay Fatah has been president of the Lausanne Youth Council since January 2024. Deeply interested in the issues facing the city where she grew up, she joined the Youth Council after hearing about it at her 18th birthday gala.

It established the City Council’s Culture Committee. The committee’s goal is to promote young people’s access to culture. Since then, regular outings have been organized in collaboration with several of the city’s cultural institutions. Outings are organized, for example, to the Vidy, Sévelin 36, and Arsenic theaters, as well as to the Photo Elysée museum and the Cinémathèque. These outings have been a success.

Helay appreciates the Youth Council for the diversity of the people you can meet there. You learn to debate, to see projects through, or to accept that you have to let them go—all without pressure. “You find a mentor, or you end up becoming one yourself!”

The Youth Council has its own budget and organizes the 18th Birthday Gala every year. In 2026, from October 25 to 27, the Youth Council will host the Youth Parliaments Conference. The conference brings together all the youth councils in Switzerland, as well as those from neighboring countries.

If Helay had more time, she would push for free public transportation for young people—“that would be my next cause.” She would also like to make it easier to find student housing, “which is a real nightmare.”

RÉGIS

Régis Guérin moved to the Fiches Nord neighborhood from Valais in 2016. He discovered a vibrant neighborhood life. His wife inspired him to get involved. She has been a member of the board of the new Fiches Nord Residents’ Association since its inception. In 2020, Régis also became involved in the association. He became the events coordinator and then president in 2022.

The association offers raised-bed and container gardens that can be rented by the square meter, a communal chicken coop, shared spaces, and numerous festivals throughout the year. The parties bring neighbors together for various activities, and thanks to this sense of community, “a village spirit is developing in Fiches Nord.”

What are his next challenges? “A community center.” A major project for which he is working with the same determination that has driven his commitment for years. He would also like to strengthen intergenerational ties. He hopes to involve seniors more in the neighborhood’s various projects. This volunteer work, a tradition in the Guérin family for several generations, brings him deep satisfaction, reinforced by the smiles and words of thanks from the residents.

ROGER

Roger Zürcher was part of the group of residents that won the 2021 “Nature in the City” Contest for the project “More Biodiversity in the Private Gardens of Beaulieu-Bergières.” He explains the process and reflects on his experience.

ADA

 Ada Bernier left Geneva in 2016 to live in Lausanne. After earning a Ph.D. in public administration, she joined the La Meute cooperative.

For Ada, living in a cooperative is like creating a village where you know your neighbors, where mutual support comes naturally, but also where everyone respects each other’s privacy. “I really like the idea that everyone has their own space and that everyone knows each other.” Living in a cooperative means being part of a community of people who build long-term relationships.

In 2023, Ada joined the Association écoquartier, which was founded in 2007 in Lausanne. The association promotes participatory urban planning and cooperative housing in the canton of Vaud and encourages the creation of sustainable neighborhoods. Its goal is to strengthen user expertise and support collaborative initiatives.
Through this association, Ada helps build connections among residents, encourages them to get involved in their neighborhood, and helps them take ownership of their environment. Through these efforts, the Association écoquartier transforms not only spaces but also the lives of residents. It makes Lausanne a city where a sense of community is valued.

CHRISTIAN

Christian Barbé has lived in Switzerland since 2002. He lives in Montblesson, north of Lausanne near Epalinges. Together with his neighbors, he has worked to create a community gathering place in the neighborhood. That is why they founded the Association Les Amis de Montblesson. The association organizes various group activities, such as a neighborhood party, a book-sharing box, guided tours, and a book club.

Originally from Normandy, Christian added his own personal touch by proposing to collect unused apples from the neighborhood to produce juice and cider. In 2016, he installed a press and fermentation tanks to launch a community initiative centered on fruit processing. With great passion, he proved that high-quality cider could be produced from local apple varieties. The Société de pomologie romande found this experiment very interesting.

To bring his idea to life, in 2021 he submitted a project for a cider orchard to the City of Lausanne’s participatory budget. This project received 1,048 votes. It ranked 6th out of the 23 projects submitted. This success led to the creation in 2022 of the association “Verger-Jardin de Montblesson.” This association coordinates activities at the orchard as well as at the community gardens, which opened in 2023. Since then, the orchard and the community gardens have been a central activity in the neighborhood. This commitment has strengthened the bonds between residents.

LAETITIA

Laetitia Liechti, a volunteer observer, took part in the participatory census of swallows, swifts, and bats in Lausanne. She reflects on her experience and explains the role that the “Lausanne participe” platform played.