La Ciguë is a non-profit, participatory housing cooperative based in Geneva, Switzerland, offering affordable accommodation to students and interns. Founded in 1986, it manages nearly 740 rooms in central locations, with 60% in shared flats leased from public and private owners, and 40% in properties developed by the cooperative.
The cooperative operates on self-management principles, with residents involved in decision-making through the General Assembly, Administration Council, and committees. Rents are typically 55% lower than market rates, and residents can stay for up to five years. La Ciguë promotes ecological and community housing, with innovative projects such as the Coulouvrenière building, which uses seasonal solar energy accumulation for heating and hot water.
La Ciguë's buildings have high energy-efficiency standards and include commercial spaces to enhance community life. The cooperative also rents vacant properties waiting for renovation or demolition, providing a win-win solution for property owners and students. Surpluses are invested in future housing developments and solidarity projects.
As the world's largest self-managed student housing cooperative, La Ciguë has enabled over 8,000 young people to study in good conditions in Europe's most expensive city. It continues to grow and innovate, recently converting a vacant shopping center into temporary community housing using recycled materials and modular design.