What is SPATZ?
SPATZ is the fresh, new village newspaper that lands in your inbox and WhatsApp every week. It’s all about local life, delivered digitally and free of charge. Covering a wide range of regions—from the picturesque Alpes Vaudoises including Col des Mosses, Gryon, and Les Diablerets, to the vibrant communities of Alt Toggenburg, Erlenbach, La Veveyse, Moudon Lucens, Neckertal, Unterrheintal, Versoix, Winterthur Nord, and Unteres Tösstal—SPATZ brings the village right to your fingertips. It’s not just news; it’s a digital gathering place where locals, clubs, organizers, politics, and residents come together to share stories, letters, and the weekly agenda.
Main Benefits of SPATZ
Why is SPATZ making waves? Here’s the scoop:
- Weekly delivery via email and WhatsApp—right where you are.
- Completely free of charge, making local news accessible to everyone.
- Encourages community contributions—clubs, organizers, and residents all have a voice.
- Businesses get a digital platform to connect with customers on-site.
- Focuses on what really matters locally, not just global headlines.
- Launched by a team of experienced professionals passionate about local stories.
Local Life at the Heart of SPATZ
SPATZ isn’t your typical newspaper. It’s a digital village hub where the community’s heartbeat can be felt. Whether it’s letters to the editor, submissions from locals, or the weekly agenda packed with events, SPATZ keeps everyone in the loop. It’s about bringing the village together, making sure that the stories that matter don’t get lost in the noise of big media. And because it’s digital, it’s fast, easy, and right there on your phone or computer.
The Team Behind SPATZ
Behind this innovative project is a passionate crew who truly get what local news means. Hannes Grassegger, the founder and award-winning reporter, started SPATZ because he felt mainstream media was too focused on global issues, missing the world we actually live in. Then there’s Hervé Peitrequin, the business developer, who’s busy growing SPATZ’s reach and building strong partnerships. Irene Schlatter, the experience designer, makes sure the digital newspapers feel just right—smooth, user-friendly, and enjoyable. And Leon Zimmermann, the producer, ensures the content is spot-on and delivered on time, every time.
Partners Supporting the Vision
SPATZ is backed by some serious players who believe in the power of local media and social impact. The Migros Pioneer Fund supports sustainable solutions that drive systemic change. Stiftung Mercator Schweiz looks for bold, creative ideas to advance social change. La Fondation Leenaards champions humanistic values and a society that sticks together. And the Media Forward Fund is all about fostering independent, quality media with sustainable business models. Together, these partners help SPATZ keep the local news flowing and the community connected.
SPATZ’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – fostering connected, informed local communities.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – promoting informed citizenship through accessible information.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – leveraging digital platforms for community engagement.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – encouraging civic participation and transparency.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – collaborating with foundations and funds for social impact.
Connecting Villages Digitally
SPATZ is more than just a newspaper; it’s a new generation of digital village newspapers designed for and by locals. It’s about making sure that the stories, events, and voices of small communities don’t get drowned out. By embracing digital channels like email and WhatsApp, SPATZ meets people where they are, making local news accessible, engaging, and relevant. It’s a fresh take on community journalism—one that’s alive, buzzing, and fluttering right into your hands every week.
