The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for a swivel-mounted actuating arm, especially for driving a lid of an item of furniture. Said mechanism comprises a spring device including a biased actuating element and a translatory mechanism which translates the movement of the actuating element into a swiveling movement of the actuating arm. Said translatory mechanism comprises at least one adjusting device for varying the translation ratio between the movement of the actuating element and the swiveling movement of the actuating arm.