Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development - Research Module on Social Conflicts and Fragility

Geopolitical and economic transformation as well as global risks, crises, and uncertainties challenge the international community. Increasingly international cooperation on global issues is seen as a way forward. Research and innovation play a key role in the effort to solve global problems and are among key drivers for an inclusive, climate-friendly societal transformation.

Research contributes to solving global problems and securing global public goods in poor countries within the normative and conceptual framework of global sustainable development.

Research community in Switzerland and developing countries. Relevant stakeholders, which act to cause, facilitate, or prevent change at various scales. Beneficiaries: societies in fragile states, poor, marginalized and vulnerable population groups.

With a focus on social conflicts of regional and global relevance in contexts of weak public institutions or state fragility the objectives are:

• Scientific evidence and research based solutions are available on four areas, including on the interactions between them: social conflicts, weak public institutions, state fragility and management of natural resources.
• National and international stakeholders are informed on the nature of the problems, trade-offs, and options for tackling and solving problems in a more integrated, conflict sensitive manner, and make use of the provided evidence and tools.
• Scientific competencies and expertise in dealing with the complexity of conflict-related issues for the benefit of poor countries and of global relevance are increased.

Results from previous phases:  

No previous phase, but the SDC and the SNSF can build upon a successful partnership over the last 20 years in terms of fostering research in and with developing and transition countries.