Filasez is a forward-looking, independent educational initiative for kindergarten and primary school children in Winterthur, Switzerland. Founded by the non-profit association Verein Filasez, the initiative aims to create learning environments where children can grow into confident, capable, and responsible human beings.
At Filasez, children begin from the very start to shape their life’s work. The name “Filasez” comes from Romansh and means “self-runner” or “one who runs by oneself.” It refers to the child’s inner capacity to develop, grow, and find their own path. Our educational work is based on trust in this natural developmental force. Adults, parents, and the surrounding community accompany the child’s journey, providing guidance and an environment that encourages curiosity, responsibility, and creativity.
Learning at Filasez is rooted in real life. The world itself becomes the learning material. Instead of separating subjects into rigid disciplines, children explore meaningful questions and projects that connect different fields of knowledge. The Swiss Curriculum 21 serves as the educational foundation, ensuring that children develop essential competencies while following their own interests and strengths.
In small, mixed-age groups, children learn not only from adults but also from one another. Project-based learning allows them to work in depth on topics that genuinely interest them, discovering connections between science, nature, culture, language, and society. Through this approach, children develop independence, critical thinking, collaboration skills, and a strong sense of purpose.
Filasez is built on a humanistic view of education: every child carries within them a healthy core that strives to learn, grow, and contribute to the world. Our role as educators is not to shape children into predefined forms, but to create spaces where they can develop their talents and become self-directed learners and responsible members of society.
Because education must be holistic, Filasez is expanding beyond the core school project. The initiative is developing several complementary programs that strengthen learning and community:
- Filasez School – the core educational project for kindergarten and primary school children.
- Fabrica Filasez – a public workshop and creative learning space open to all children.
- Knowledge transfer and facilitator training – a program currently in development to train learning facilitators and share the Filasez educational approach with educators and schools.
In addition, Filasez promotes parent education and community engagement, recognizing that meaningful education grows through cooperation between children, families, educators, and society.
Technology and digital infrastructure at Filasez are built primarily on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). By using open technologies, we support transparency, digital sovereignty, and sustainable technological practices that align with our educational values.
As a non-profit initiative without government subsidies, Filasez depends on donations and supporters who believe that diverse educational approaches are essential for a healthy society. Contributions help us expand access to education, develop new learning spaces, and support families who otherwise could not afford alternative educational paths.
The future of society begins in the education of its children.
By supporting Filasez, you help create learning environments where children can develop their potential, discover their purpose, and grow into courageous individuals capable of shaping a better world.
For more Details visit our Website: https://filasez.ch/
