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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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Research for action

01.01.2027 - 31.12.2030

The 2017 Joint Monitoring Report, published in July, states that serious efforts have been made since the Millennium Development Goals to improve access to safe water and sanitation around the world. However, disparities remain, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and for the rural poor, more drastic for sanitation. This project aims to reduce this gap, by supporting applied research, transformative innovations, capacity development and networking, which will answer to the needs and requirements of the targeted population.

Nurturing Active and Responsible Citiziens

01.01.2027 - 31.12.2030

Molodova's democracy is still young and fragile. The population is disinclined to participate in decision-making, to practice democrtatic values and to demand their rights. Schools have an important role in educating active and responsive citizens, but are not well prepared for it. By improving democratic school governance and introducing practical civic education, Switzerland will support Moldova in raising civic consciousness of chlidren and adolescents, and engaging them in ther communities.

Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership to achieve a water-secure world for all

01.07.2026 - 31.12.2030

The Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP) of the World Bank Water Global Practice is a global partnership with the objective to address the water and sanitation challenge in an integrated manner, as set out by the Global Sustainable Development Goal 6. This SDC support will promote innovative global knowledge production and exchange, dialogue and partnerships, as well as country-level support across regions at global scale.

UN-Water: Strengthening the Global Water Architecture for the effective achievement of the 2030 Agenda

01.01.2026 - 31.12.2030

UN-Water has now firmly established itself as a major actor in water and in coordinating UN agencies to speak as one voice for water. SDC’s support to UN-Water’s core budget is crucial to ensure that the political ambition of the 2030 Agenda for water and its related targets has an efficient institutional setting allowing an integrated monitoring and an efficient follow-up and review and strong coordination between UN agencies. UN-Water will be key to bring a more effective, integrated and coordinated approach to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with regards to water and sanitation and to review progress.

Economic Policy for Inclusive Growth

01.01.2026 - 31.12.2029

The planned intervention aims at supporting inclusive growth that improves the living standards for the Mozambicans, in particular women and youth. It will be pursued through increased analytical capacity and better informed policy making, by means of focussed support to economic analysis and discussion in and between government and non-government institutions. Emphasis on non-government institutions will enhance the demand for and accountability for effective policy making for inclusive growth

Global Measurement of Diet Quality

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2025

Diets are the number one risk factor in the global burden of disease and multiple forms of malnutrition co-exist with overweight and obesity being the fastest growing form, particularly among poor populations in developing countries. Routinely collected information on Diet Quality is necessary to better understand dietary trends, help to create awareness, and inform policies to improve diets and health outcomes. Therefore, SDC supports an international initiative to develop diet quality measurements.

UN Joint Programme on Youth Employment

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

Cambodia is the most youthful country in South East Asia with more than 50% of the population below 25 years. The key challenge of Cambodia is to create decent and productive employment opportunities for new entrants to the labour market. With its contribution, SDC addresses the challenge by enabling young people to have access to skills and quality education and employment whilst promoting rightful and decent working conditions.

Program contribution to OHCHR for promotion and protection of human rights in the oPt

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2029

Switzerland supports the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) to contribute to the effective realization of adherence to human rights and international humanitarian law in the oPt and to influence the behaviour of the relevant duty bearers. OHCHR has an exceptional role both in the humanitarian and development spheres in the oPt’s complex context of multiple duty bearers and harsh political and humanitarian realities.

Horn of Africa: One Health Units for Humans, Environment, Animals and Livelihoods

01.09.2024 - 30.06.2032

The project aims at improving the well-being of targeted pastoral communities challenged with inadequate access to basic health/veterinary services and environmental conditions in Somalia, Ethiopia and Northern Kenya through integrated health service delivery for both pastoralists and their livestock. The project will contribute to stability and vulnerability’s reduction of citizens in the region, thereby reducing their displacement/migration which is in the interest of Switzerland and the international community.

Solar Irrigation for Agriculture Resilience (SoLAR)

01.07.2024 - 31.07.2027

To adapt to climate change farmers rely increasingly on irrigation, ultimately depleting groundwater resources and raising energy demand. The project aims to address these challenges by promoting solar irrigation, water efficient agriculture and groundwater governance. The project will harness Swiss expertise on hydrogeology and technical innovations to contribute to climate resilient agriculture and facilitate knowledge sharing in South Asia and at the global level.

Clean Air Project in India (CAP India)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2027

India is one of the most severely affected countries by air pollution in the world. This project will contribute to India’s new National Clean Air Programme, with the aim to improve air quality with co-benefits on public health, environment and climate change. Capacity building and technical assistance through Swiss expertise will support data measurement and analysis, city level clean air action plans and awareness raising campaigns to take precautionary measures and mitigate air pollution.

Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies (Sustainable Develoment Goal 16+)

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2030

The promotion of peaceful, just and inclusive societies (SDG16) is integral to the success of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. In order to accelerate its implementation, a group of UN Member States are coming together to leveraging intersections within the Agenda (16+) and to accelerate national and international implementation, while building a movement of the willing around three grand challenges. Switzerland is a co-convener, a member and a donor to this initiative.

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Last update 03.01.2021