A win-win for Graubünden, Davos, and the AO

“We are delighted to share news about our close collaboration with the local and regional authorities. This is a win-win for Graubünden, Davos, and the AO,” says Claas Albers, CEO of the AO Foundation.

The government of the Canton of Graubünden has pledged a total cantonal contribution of CHF 1.6 million to the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) for the years 2025 to 2028, as announced in its press release dated March 6, 2025. In addition, the existing mandate, which expired at the end of 2024, will be extended until 2028. For the ARI, this means that it will be able to budget an additional CHF 50,000 in cantonal contributions from the current year. The annual contribution from the municipality of Davos has also been increased as of 2025, meaning that the ARI now has CHF 650,000 in annual contributions from the municipality and canton at its disposal. The increases are based upon both inflation over the years of the last agreements and additional support.

ARI Director Prof. Geoff Richards, who led the negotiations, is delighted with the decision: “As the largest employer in Davos and a major employer in the canton, the AO is committed to our Davos and our Zizers locations for employment in the canton. Our contribution to the local economy through our scientific congresses, our yearly AO Davos Courses at the Davos Congress Centre (which bring finances to hotels, restaurants, shops, etc), and our employee taxes support our local community. With the Canton of Graubünden, we have a fixed contract with measurable deliverables,” Richards said. “Personally, I am proud to help the Canton of Graubünden and the local community where I live and help in many focused task forces and groups.”