The association was formed Born to read – Buchstart – Né pour lire – Born to read, with the aim of ensuring the program has an autonomous structure and a stable development perspective on a national scale.

The new organization was born with a specific mandate: to strengthen early childhood activities over time, consolidate collaborations between different sectors, and ensure lasting impact. At the heart of the project is the idea that early access to books and stories can have a tangible impact on children's developmental opportunities, promoting equal starting conditions and greater cultural participation.

Il program Born to read – Buchstart – Né pour lire – Born to read It was launched in 2006 in Ticino and expanded nationwide in 2008. Its approach includes the free delivery of a picture book to families with newborns, accompanied by awareness-raising initiatives that encourage shared reading among parents, other caregivers, and children. The initiative is aimed at children aged 0 to 4, thus extending its reach to the entire preschool age group.

The adjustment of the reference age, initially set at 3 years of age, reflects evolving practices adopted by several partners and allows for more comprehensive coverage of a crucial stage of linguistic development. The goal is to integrate language and books into everyday family life, while also supporting those working in the early education sector.

A central role in the history of the project was played by the Bibliomedia Foundation and by the 'Swiss Institute for Media and Children (ISMR), promoters of the initiative since its inception. Over the years, the two institutions have ensured the distribution of books to families and the organization of training courses for the professionals involved. With the establishment of the new association, Bibliomedia and ISMR will maintain their role as institutional members, ensuring continuity in the program's content and approach.

The association's establishment also introduced a dedicated governance structure, with its own operational headquarters and a defined strategic direction. Among the board's initial responsibilities were the approval of the strategic plan, the definition of the funding model, the intensification of fundraising activities, and the establishment of a specialized committee to support operational work.

The association was led by Davide Dosi, general director of the Bibliomedia Foundation, who assumes the presidency. The vice-presidency is entrusted to Alexandra Talman, Director of ISMR. The role of Interim Secretary General is held by Therese SalzmannThe composition of the summit reflects the desire to maintain strong ties with the institutions that have supported the program since its early stages.

Another priority identified by the new association is expanding the national collaboration network. The project aims to strengthen the dialogue between healthcare, social services, schools, and the cultural sector, with the goal of consolidating a shared vision of childhood development. Interdisciplinarity is considered a key element in supporting families and creating favorable conditions for language development from the earliest years of life.

With the new organizational configuration, Born to read – Buchstart – Né pour lire – Born to read The project aims to improve the effectiveness of coordination of activities, ensuring greater financial stability and long-term planning. The stated goal is to transform the experience gained over the years into a structure capable of operating consistently, strengthening the program's presence in various regional and institutional contexts.

This newly launched phase therefore represents a consolidation step, with the aim of making early reading promotion a structural component of early childhood policies. In a constantly evolving social and cultural context, the association aims to be a point of reference for coordinating initiatives, supporting families, and enhancing the work of the specialists involved.

In the picture:
Laurent Voisard (member of the board), Alexandra Talman (vice-president of the board), Beat Zemp (president of the Johanna Spyri Foundation), Loreto Núñez (member of the board), Davide Dosi (president of the board), Therese Salzmann (interim general secretary), Dominique de Buman (president of the Bibliomedia foundation board).