Promotes socially responsible land use and affordable housing solutions.
**Summary of Stiftung Edith Maryon** Stiftung Edith Maryon is a Swiss foundation established in 1990 with the mission to secure socially responsible places of residence and work by removing land and properties from the speculative market. The foundation aims to promote transparent land use, mixed-use development, and green building methods. It acquires land and real estate, signing long-term building leases to make properties available for self-administered and socially relevant uses. **Focus Areas and Financial Resources** The foundation focuses on social housing, workplaces, and cultural projects, particularly in Switzerland and neighboring countries like Germany and Austria. It owns about 800 hectares of farmland in these countries, which are leased long-term to farmers employing biodynamic methods. The foundation started with minimal capital (12,000 Swiss Francs) and grew through donations, bequests, and zero-interest loans. It does not have a large amount of money waiting for investment but rather works on a project-by-project basis, often collaborating with local initiatives. **Criteria and Recent Projects** The foundation supports projects that contribute to the development of a society where value is not only defined by financial capital but also by social, cultural, and reputational value. It has financed over 100 properties in Europe since 1990, including projects like Agora, which benefit from the foundation's financial resources and long-term leases. Specific criteria for funding include the project's social relevance and potential to serve the community. Recent projects include initiatives in Austria, France, and even Budapest, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to supporting diverse and socially impactful projects across Europe.