Summary

The Eriz, a valley roughly ten kilometres long between Thun and Interlaken in the canton of Bern, stands as an exemplary case of demographic change in Swiss peripheral regions. The population has declined from a former 663 to today's 480 residents. Three young people illustrate how differently one can relate to a rural place of origin: leaving, returning, or staying. A reportage by journalism student Jasmin Jaun, produced as a diploma thesis at MAZ, illuminates this reality from an insider's perspective.

People

  • Jasmin Jaun (author of the reportage, trainee journalist at Bund and Berner Zeitung)
  • Andrina Wälti (protagonist, architect in Zurich)
  • Anita Spring (protagonist, returned to the Eriz)

Topics

  • Rural flight and demographic change in Swiss mountain areas
  • Identity, home, and belonging
  • Infrastructure and mobility in rural areas
  • Community initiatives for village revitalisation
  • Compatibility of family and work in rural settings

Clarus Lead

The Eriz in the canton of Bern has been losing residents for decades – a pattern repeated across numerous Swiss peripheral regions. For decision-makers in spatial planning and social policy, the question arises: what keeps people in peripheral communities, and what drives them away? The podcast "Gesprächsstoff" by Bund and Berner Zeitung approaches this question through personal stories – and in doing so reveals structural patterns that extend far beyond a single valley.

Detailed Summary

In the 19th century, the Eriz had over 600 residents, with schoolhouses in several parts of the village and a lively agricultural daily life. Today, only 480 people live in the valley. Infrastructure has shrunk: a local inn has closed, school classes have been merged, and public transport is patchy. What remains is a shop, a local administration office, a smithy, and a ski lift.

The reportage portrays three young adults, each with their own path. Andrina Wälti (27) lives as an architect on Langstrasse in Zurich – a deliberate choice made for professional opportunities and social openness that she felt were lacking in the village. Her sexuality was not an easy subject in the Eriz; she experiences the anonymity of the city as a liberation. Anita Spring (35), by contrast, returned: she and her husband took over her parents' house and now lives in the valley with two young children. She appreciates nature, a slower pace of life, and having grandparents as daily caregivers – but misses childcare facilities, leisure options, and good public transport connections. Remo Baumann (25) stayed and is taking over his father's agricultural machinery business. He is involved in the ski lift board of directors, the men's choir, and the shooting club.

Alongside these individual stories, a local initiative becomes visible: the group "Together for the Eriz" organises transport services, play events, and new leisure activities such as archery or a winter nature trail. Researcher Elena Brandner from the University of Bern is studying similar communities in Graubünden and the Glarus region as part of the "Mountain Hubs" project – finding that peripheral areas offer untapped potential: space, nature, creativity, and self-sufficiency.

Key Findings

  • The Eriz has lost around 28 percent of its population since its historical peak; the decline is ongoing, but not uncontrolled.
  • Emigration typically has multiple simultaneous causes: lack of professional prospects, social constraints, and poor mobility.
  • Return is possible, but often requires favourable conditions: inheritance, proximity to family, or part-time working arrangements.
  • Local initiatives are emerging, but are limited by the time and resources of those involved.
  • External research (Mountain Hubs) identifies structural opportunities that are often not recognised or utilised at the local level.

Critical Questions

  1. (Evidence/Data Quality) The population figure of 480 is cited, but what is the exact source – a census, the municipal register, or an estimate? How current are the data?
  2. (Evidence/Data Quality) The reportage is based on three case studies. To what extent are these individuals representative of the overall population of the Eriz or comparable peripheral communities?
  3. (Conflicts of Interest/Independence) Jasmin Jaun herself comes from the Eriz and wrote the reportage as a diploma thesis. What editorial mechanisms were employed to ensure balanced coverage?
  4. (Conflicts of Interest/Incentives) The group "Together for the Eriz" is portrayed positively. Are there critical voices regarding their approaches, or are structural dissenting opinions within the community not represented?
  5. (Causality/Alternatives) Is the shrinkage of the Eriz primarily attributable to a lack of infrastructure – or do broader economic trends (urbanisation, structural change in agriculture) play an equally significant role?
  6. (Causality/Counter-Hypotheses) The "Mountain Hubs" project is mentioned as a potential solution. Is there evidence that such co-working and community spaces actually slow or even reverse emigration?
  7. (Feasibility/Risks) Anita Spring's return was contingent on being able to take over the family home. How realistic is this model for individuals without equivalent property assets within the family?
  8. (Feasibility/Risks) The last public bus leaves the Eriz at 6 p.m. What specific political or planning measures would be needed to improve mobility – and who bears the costs?

References

Primary Source: Gesprächsstoff – Podcast by Bund and Berner Zeitung, hosted by Sibyl Hartmann – Audio Link

Additional Sources:

  1. Research project "Mountain Hubs", University of Bern (mentioned in the podcast, not directly linked)
  2. Reportage by Jasmin Jaun on the Eriz, Bund/Berner Zeitung (linked in the show notes according to the podcast)

Verification Status: ✓ 03.03.2026

This text was produced with the assistance of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 03.03.2026