Since 1991 the Calcutta Project has worked together with its partner organisation in Calcutta (India) to develop programmes to improve the health of disadvantaged people. With their voluntary commitment, students at the University of Basel put what they have learned in their studies into practice. On top of that, they develop important skills for their future professional lives – from leading fundraising meetings to project evaluation. The students, the partner organisation and the people in Calcutta profit from the technical support of the University and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.