At BERNSPIRE we value your privacy, and we are committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information, particularly when you participate in our contests (or challenges).

1. Who We Are / The Data Controller

BERNSPIRE is an association based in Switzerland, focuses on emphasizing the importance of education in low- and middle-income countries by encouraging innovation and problem-solving among young talents. BERNSPIRE yearly organizes contests (challenges) for the best graduation projects. The Data Controller (i.e. the responsible person) is BERNSPIRE.

2. The Data We Collect

We collect and process the following types of personal data:

• Identification data: Name, surname, date of birth, and nationality.
• Contact details: Email address, phone number, and mailing address.
• Educational information: Details about your graduation project, school/university, and degree program.
• Project-related data: Information related to your participation in challenges or programs.
• Communication records: Any correspondence you may have with us, including emails.
• Other relevant information: Any additional data you provide in your application or related correspondence.

We only collect and process personal data that you provide voluntarily through our registration and application online forms, or via the “Contact-us” online formula, or via direct communications.

Our data servers are based in the European Union (EU), and your data is processed in compliance with both the Swiss and the EU data protection laws.

3. Why We Collect Your Data

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

• Contests organization: To review, evaluate, and communicate with you about your application and participation in the contests.
• Program management: To manage and organize BERNSPIRE activities, challenges, and events.
• Service improvement: To improve our services and tailor our activities based on user engagement.
• Legal compliance: To comply with legal obligations related to data protection, auditing, and record-keeping.
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide updates about the contests.

4. Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

Our processing activities are based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you submit your registration and application forms, you consent to the processing of your data for the contest.
• Contract: For participants in our programs, data processing is necessary to fulfill our obligations, such as assessing your application, or awarding prizes.
• Legitimate interest: To organize and manage the contest efficiently and improve our services, managing communications, and ensuring the integrity of the contest process.
• Legal obligation: To fulfill requirements under applicable laws.

5. How We Protect Your Data

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. These measures have implemented to safeguard and secure the data we collect:

• Data access is limited to authorized personnel only.
• Regular review and updates of security practices on our website.

6. Data Sharing and Transfers

We share with the following parties only the data which is needed for the proper functionality of our organization, such as the evaluation of your application to the challenges:

• Panel of judges: To evaluate your application during the contests.
• The data processor: The IT services ensuring the proper functionality of our website, email communication, or data storage, bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal authorities: If required by law or in response to legal proceedings.

Access to your personal data is limited to BERNSPIRE’s authorized staff, and service providers involved in managing and organizing our activities. All third-party service providers are bound by data protection agreements that meet the required legal standards.

7. How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain your data for as long as it is necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law. If you request the removal of your personal information, we will delete it within 2 years unless required otherwise by legal obligations. You can communicate your request to remove your data via our “contact us” online formula.

8. Your Rights

Under applicable laws, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Correction: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request the deletion of your data, subject to legal or contractual obligations.
• Restriction: Limit the processing of your data in certain circumstances.
• Objection: Object to the processing of your data for specific purposes.
• Data portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below. We have one month to respond to you.

9. Updates to This Policy

BERNSPIRE reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we encourage you to review it regularly. Any changes will include an updated revision date.

10. How to Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, feel free to contact us at contact at  BERNSPIRE dot com

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Thank you for trusting BERNSPIRE. Your privacy matters to us.