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An approach targeting the root causes of fragility and resilience

Switzerland has significantly increased its support for fragile regions and those affected by conflict. The Dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation for the 2017–20 period, approved by Parliament, has increased bilateral aid for these countries by 50%.

These funds are earmarked for tackling the root causes of conflict, strengthening civil society, increasing respect for human rights and promoting responsible governance at the national and local levels.

The SDC is active in a number of states and regions that are experiencing – or have experienced – latent or open conflict and are extremely fragile in one or more dimensions, including Afghanistan, Burundi, Haiti, the Horn of Africa, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal, and North Africa.

New approaches to development cooperation

The UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. Sustainable Development Goal 16 establishes a direct relationship between peaceful and inclusive societies with strong institutions and sustainable development. By establishing peace as a legitimate aspect of development policy and practice, it honours the commitment made by the international community to the 'New Deal for engagement in fragile states' in Busan in 2011.

Despite the greater risks involved, special efforts are required in fragile contexts: for humanitarian reasons, in the interest of sustainable development and to improve global security. These efforts fall under the major international agendas for sustaining peace, for humanity and for human rights. Lastly, they recognise the necessity of adapting all interventions to the specific context in a way that takes full account of its complexity.

Addressing fragility is a way of reaching those who are most at risk of being left behind

The communities most at risk are those affected by chronic armed conflict and other forms of violence, lack of access to justice, rampant corruption, failure to respect human rights or institutions that are non-inclusive and non-accountable.

Many fragile states were already lagging far behind in making progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) prior to 2015. They now risk being left behind in realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the given deadline of 2030. Therefore, tackling different forms of fragility can directly help reach the populations that are being left behind, and especially the most vulnerable.

Documents

Dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2017–2020

Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Strategy for SDC’s work in fragile and conflict contexts (PDF, 30 Pages, 3.3 MB, English)

Other languages
Estrategia para la consolidación de la paz y la construcción del Estadoen el trabajo de la COSUDE en contextos frágiles y situaciones de conflicto
Stratégie de la DDC en matière de consolidation de la paix et de renforcement de l’État pour son engagement dans les situations de conflit et de fragilité

Evaluation of the performance of SDC instruments in fragile and conflict-affected contexts (PDF, 1.3 MB, English)

Annexes of the evaluation (PDF, 1.7 MB, English)

Current projects

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Asset Recovery Strategic Partnerships

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2029

Switzerland supports strategic partners in asset recovery who provide technical assistance to countries, advocate for international standards, and facilitate knowledge and exchange on international efforts and ongoing cases. The partnerships leverage Switzerland’s potential to influence the agenda more effectively, facilitate the integration of international best practices in ongoing restitution negotiations, and help ensure that returned assets benefit the populations of states of origin.

Backstopping support for SDC’s Cluster Green thematic Knowledge Networks A+FS, CDE and RésEAU

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

As a globally active knowledge-based organisation, SDC is critically dependent on effective and efficient knowledge management. SDC’s thematic networks sit at the heart of this endeavour, rendering an essential service across the organisation and its partners by connecting network members, collecting and processing information, and retaining and distributing knowledge. State-of-the art backstopping services are essential to this activity, as is close cooperation between SDC’s thematic networks.

Response to Gender-Based Violence 25-29

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2029

In order to fight increasing gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian and conflict contexts, address the root causes in a sustainable way and to contribute to lasting change, Switzerland provides targeted, multi-year funding for GBV prevention and response, and invests in rights-based and survivor-centred projects of three key partners.    

Core Contribution to the Interna-tional Fund for Public Interest Me-dia (IFPIM)

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

Public interest media in low- and middle-income countries face existential threats, impact-ing sustainable development and peace. IFPIM is an organization backing the resilience and independence of public interest media. Through SDC’s contribution to IFPIM, Swit-zerland promotes democracy by combating dis- and misinformation and ensuring media freedom and access to reliable information.

Voluntary Contribution to the Adaptation Fund (AF)

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

The Adaptation Fund (AF) has a proven track record for implementing innovative adaptation projects, including in SDC priority countries. It supports most vulnerable communities to increase their resilience and adaptation capacities in the face of the rapidly rising impacts of climate change including extreme weather events and slow onset processes. It is one of the four climate funds that reports to the Conference of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.

Programme d’appui à la petite irrigation-PAPI

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

Au Niger, dans un contexte de transition politique, la sécurité alimentaire demeure un enjeu majeur. Elle dépend notamment des performances des exploitations familiales qui parviennent difficilement à assurer leur propre alimentation. La Suisse accompagne la petite irrigation pour offrir en particulier aux femmes et aux jeunes des opportunités d’emploi et de revenus agricoles, mais aussi pour moderniser les exploitations familiales et contribuer ainsi à la sécurité alimentaire du pays.

Development Effectiveness Activities and Focal Point Development Effectiveness (DE) 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

In a time when getting more impact with less resources available becomes urgent, development effectiveness is the only way forward. Switzerland has been committed to this Agenda since the process started in 2005. It has acted as co-chair of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) from 2019 to 2022, hosted the 2022 Summit and remains a member of the steering committee. Switzerland will support the Joint Support Team (JST) based at UNDP for preparing and mobilizing countries to participate in the development effectiveness (DE) monitoring to further advance this agenda.

FSD Mine and UXO clearance in Kharkiv and Kherson Oblasts (MUCKKO)

01.12.2024 - 31.08.2027

This phase 02 of the project of Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) deploys the full range of mine action activities, to identify the threat of contamination, clear unexploded ordnance and mines, and educate the population to the risks. It resorts to Swiss innovation, mechanical demining machines and dogs. It builds on phase 01, gaining scale in both Kharkiv and Kherson regions and adding a strong component of building local capacity through mentorship of a Ukrainian NGO.

GAIN Combating Malnutrition in Rwanda through Sustainable Food Systems (GAIN CoMa SFS)

01.12.2024 - 31.12.2027

According to the newly approved National Strategy of Transformation - NST2 (2024–2029), reducing stunting and malnutrition comes among the top five priorities of the government of Rwanda (GoR) with an ambitious target of reducing child stunting from 33% to 15% by 2029. Thus, Switzerland’ support to GAIN and the collaboration with different actors across the health and food sectors: GoR, private sector and farmers assures stimulating production, access, affordability and consumption of desirable nutritious and safe foods.

Save the Children, Building Inclusive Resilience and Durable Solutions for forcibly displaced populations and vulnerable groups in Yobe State

01.12.2024 - 30.11.2027

Finding durable solutions for up to five hundred thousand current and formerly displaced persons (IDPs)  in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria, is a critical step towards lasting peace and development in the region. This project, which is part of a multi-pronged SDC support to local authorities, will contribute to facilitate local  integration  and  return  of  IDPs  by  enhancing  agricultural  productivity,  providing  livelihood  and employment opportunities, strengthening community disaster risk reduction, and access to justice.   

Projet YirSor la voie du développement (FONAENF)

01.12.2024 - 30.11.2028

Au Burkina Faso, 65,5% des adultes sont analphabètes et 50% des enfants de 6 à 16 ans (3 millions) sont exclus de l’école. La Suisse soutient la diversification des alternatives éducatives au profit des exclus de l’éducation, afin de renforcer les capacités à lire et écrire et les connaissances techniques et professionnelles de près de 250’000 apprenants. Ce soutien contribue à améliorer l’insertion socio-conomique et les conditions de vie, prévenant ainsi la migration irrégulière et l’enrôlement par les groupes armés.

Protecting children, women and youth affected by conflict through local actors in Borno State

01.12.2024 - 31.05.2027

The protracted conflict in North East Nigeria continues to expose vulnerable populations to multiple types of violence and abuse. This initiative implemented by local NGOs focuses on building community-based systems to prevent and respond to child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) risks. In line with SDC’s commitment to localization, this initiative will foster sustainable practices and local ownership to create a lasting impact for children, GBV survivors and their communities.    

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Last update 03.01.2021