Here you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions .

Publix is a centre of innovation for journalism, civil society, and opinion formation.

It is a space where journalism and the role of journalists in democracy are reimagined while cross-border solutions are developed to help overcome the crisis of public information and opinion formation.

To that end, Publix offers a diverse program: events, workshops and projects at the Publix building are geared toward professionals in journalism, civil society, academia, and politics, as well as toward interested members of the public more generally. All current dates can be found in our events calendar.

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Our modern facilities include offices for around 30 editorials and civil society organizations that contribute professionally to strengthening journalism and democracy.

Further services offered by Publix include co-working spaces, fully equipped studios for video and audio production, event spaces, meeting and conference rooms, and guest rooms on the 5th floor.

The Publix canteen is open to all visitors daily: from 8 am to 5 pm for coffee and snacks, and from 12 pm to 2:30 pm for hot meals and salads.

Public also hosts events, staging specialised conferences and workshops for professionals in media and civil society. With book launches and panel discussions, a reading group titled “Shared Reading”, as well as workshops for kids, teenagers, and adults, Publix aims to inform people about journalism and its meaning for democracy while also fostering editorial skills.

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Publix was launched by the Schöpflin Foundation. Established by entrepreneur and investor, Hans Schöpflin, the foundation has been supporting independent media for a thriving democracy since 2010. In terms of journalism, the Schöpflin Foundation supports nonprofit media outlets such as Correctiv and the Netzwerk Recherche association. Between 2016 and 2024, the Schöpflin Foundation invested around 25 million euros in the planning, construction, furnishing, and equipping of the Publix building.

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• We want to strengthen journalism and its essential role of disseminating information and fostering public understanding in our society.
• We want to ensure that everyone has access to reliable information as well as the chance to participate in public discourse.
• We want to strength social cohesion while countering digital violence.
• We want to respond to the technological developments that are threatening democracy.
• We want to support those in the media whose work informs, inspires, and opens up new perspectives for their audiences.

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For the use of the office spaces, residents and co-workers pay a monthly contribution to Publix as operator of the building. Users of the house equally pay to use the rest of the infrastructure, such as the studios and event spaces. Publix also rents out its event spaces, meeting rooms, and audio as well as video studios and guest rooms to external parties. All users thus contribute to the maintenance and continued operation of the Publix building.

This enables Publix to generate a large portion of its budget independently. In addition, Publix is supported by the Schöpflin Foundation, the Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, and the Zeit Stiftung Bucerius.

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Publix does not receive any public money for the operation of the building.

It is currently receiving public funding for one project, namely the development of a fellowship to support technology reporting. The funding for this project comes to a total of 200.000 euros and covers the employment of a part-time project manager, as well as the payment, travel and accommodation expenses of participating journalists.

In 2023 and 2024, Publix received funding for a project that sought to develop a fund for innovation projects and new organisations in the field of public-interest-oriented journalism. The project was brought to a successful close in June 2024 and resulted in the establishment of the Media Forward Fund, into which various foundations have already invested €9 million for journalistic innovation in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

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Organisations that have long-term office spaces at Publix are referred to as residents. Their selection is based on their professional contribution to strengthening journalism, civil society, and political opinion making. Other important criteria include international networks, links to academia and politics, technological expertise, or unique access to hard-to-reach audiences. Office spaces are allocated by request or recommendation.

Publix is currently home to:

• Knowledge providers who supply journalists, editorials, and civil society with resources and skills
• Journalists that conduct research, which they then compile and arrange for their target audiences
• Organisations that provide educational opportunities to promote media and news literacy
• Human rights organisations that defend the rights of journalists and citizens

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All of the residents are independent companies or organizations. The have their offices in the Publix building and share with the other users the infrastructure on-site, such as the meeting rooms, the event spaces, and the audio and video studios.

Their focus areas, methods, and target groups are quite distinct, as are the means by which they are financed. Some of the organisations are for-profit while others are supported by foundations or private donations.

To support their work, Publix regularly offers them opportunities for knowledge transfer and exchange in terms of their respective experience. Participation is entirely voluntary. You can find more information about these opportunities here.

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