Immerse yourself with us in a distant world full of new customs, traditions and exciting news! We would like to bring you a little closer to the world of Bhutan and at the same time share current developments in our project in Bumthang.
February 2026: A Special Visit and Partnership Reaffirmation for the PATRIZIA Akelius Vocational Training Centre Bumthang
During a recent visit to Bhutan, the PATRIZIA Foundation reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the PATRIZIA Foundation Bhutan Programme under royal patronage. Wolfgang Egger, founder of the PATRIZIA Foundation, had the honor of meeting with long-standing local partners in Thimphu, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing equal opportunities and education.
A central moment of the visit was the meeting with Her Majesty the Queen Mother Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, alongside exchanges with the Foundation’s trusted national partners, the Gyalyum Charitable Trust (GCT) and RENEW. Together, the partners once again confirmed their commitment to long-term collaboration in the field of education. The partnership was formally reaffirmed through the ceremonial signing of the Deed of Partnership Reaffirmation at Gawailing Happy Home, a women’s shelter founded and supported by Her Majesty for women and children affected by domestic violence.
The joint efforts focus on supporting children and young people in Bhutan, particularly in the remote region of Bumthang, where there has been a lack of vocational training opportunities, especially for girls. Together with our experienced local partner RENEW and our international partner the Akelius Foundation, the PATRIZIA Foundation is establishing the Bumthang Vocational Training Centre as a flagship project. Thanks to the planned flagship facility of the PATRIZIA Foundation Bhutan Programme, the foundation's long-term approach in the areas of vocational training and securing livelihoods for young people will be strengthened and improved, especially for girls, with the aim of creating sustainable educational pathways and future opportunities in the country.
As Wolfgang Egger reflected during the visit:
“Education is one of the most powerful tools to create opportunity. Our long-standing engagement in Bhutan reflects a shared commitment with trusted partners to remove barriers and enable young people, especially girls, to realise their potential.”
This visit marks another meaningful step in a partnership built on respect, continuity and a shared responsibility for the future of Bhutan’s children.
October 2025: Shaping the Future – 5-Year Planning Workshop at the Vocational Training Centre Bumthang
A workshop on five-year planning for the Vocational Training Center in Bumthang took place in Thimphu on October 7 and 8. The first day consisted of welcomes and introductions, an overview of the project partnership, and a review of the project’s progress thus far. Key foundations for the next steps were presented and discussed. Then, insights into the construction plan and upcoming activities were provided.
The second day consisted of participants working in three expert groups: curriculum, finance and sustainability, and impact and monitoring. The results were presented in groups and integrated into an overarching five-year work plan. This workshop provided a valuable opportunity to collaboratively plan the next phase of the project.
October 2025: Project Trip to Bhutan – Cultural Insights and Personal Exchange with Project Partners
In October, our programmes team, together with additional Bhutan experts, had the special opportunity to visit the fascinating Kingdom of Bhutan. The aim of the trip was to meet our partner organisations RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women) and the Gyalyum Charitable Trust (GCT) in person and to work together on further developing the planned Vocational Training Centre for children and young adults in the rural region of Bumthang.
A tour through Thimphu – the capital of the Himalayan kingdom – offered fascinating insights into everyday life. In addition to impressive monastery complexes and stunning landscapes, the visit also provided a glimpse into traditional lifestyles – including the tasting of a typical Bhutanese beverage: butter tea with roasted rice.
One highlight of the stay was the visit to our partner organisation RENEW. The headquarters houses not only offices and the RENEW Microfinance Institute, but also a showroom where products from RENEW projects, such as handwoven clothing and scarves, are sold as part of the Socio-Economic Empowerment Programme. Here, valuable discussions were held, and future steps in the collaboration were further developed.
On the journey to Bumthang, where the team inspected the site for our Children’s Home together with representatives of the national authorities, the Department of Natural Resources Management, and an energy supply company, the group crossed a mountain pass at around 4,000 metres – a truly unforgettable scenic moment. A joint dinner with representatives from RENEW and GCT also provided space for personal exchange and strengthened partnership.
We thank our partners for their generous hospitality!
May 2025: Happy birthday!
The PATRIZIA Foundation warmly congratulates Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, and thanks her for the great trust in our partnership to strengthen vocational training for young people in Bhutan. We are particularly pleased with the visible progress in Bumthang - above all the new access road, for which we would like to thank the Gyalyum Charitable Trust.
April 2025: Bhutanese monastery festival Paro Tshechu full of spirituality, dance and colour
Tshechu, which means ‘tenth day’ in Dzongkha (the national language of Bhutan), is celebrated with religious mask and costume dances to honour Guru Rinpoche and ask for his blessing. Every district (Dzongkhag) in Bhutan holds its own Tshechu at different times of the year, the most famous being the Paro Tshechu and the Thimphu Tshechu. People wear their most beautiful festive clothes (gho and kira), eat, laugh and pray together.
December 2024: Start of construction for the access road to the project site
We are delighted to announce that the road construction to the future PATRIZIA Vocational Training Centre in Bumthang has officially begun. The start of road construction represents a significant milestone in the realisation of our project and brings us closer to our goal of opening up better educational opportunities for young people in Bhutan.
September 2018: Panel discussion with the Queen Mother of Bhutan
The foundation stone for our new education project in Bhutan was laid during a high-calibre panel discussion entitled ‘Foundation work in an international context’. Participants included the Queen Mother of Bhutan and her foundation RENEW, which was established in 2004. This is the only institution in the country that offers a safe home, especially to children and women at risk of violence. On this day, Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck announced that she would like to start a new project in the Himalayas together with us - the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Centre in Bumthang.
A special moment - and the start of a valuable partnership!
