
Democratization in support of integrated, sustainable development

Promoting democratic values is essential to inclusive governance. The equal participation of all population groups increases the likelihood of fair and balanced development that benefits everyone. Efforts are made to curb corruption and the abuse of power, minimising the risk of frustration and political confrontation. Promoting democracy is one of Switzerland's foreign policy priorities.
Democratisation is a key concern for the SDC, which aims to promote community involvement and responsible government action. By enabling different population groups to have an equal say in political life and determine issues that affect their daily lives, diverse interests can be represented, supporting broad-based decision-making. This lends greater legitimacy to political processes and creates a climate of shared responsibility for implementation. Other key democratic principles include power-sharing, checks on power, accountability, the rule of law and equality before the law.
Switzerland supports both democratic institutions and democratic processes, promoting interaction between the mutually reinforcing democratic forces that shape the political system. Promoting gender equality and equal participation and protecting disadvantaged communities are key priorities for Switzerland. In meeting its commitments, Switzerland works from a politically informed perspective, supports solutions that are appropriate in the context and builds on existing structures. It works on the basis of democratic values rather than any specific model.
Democratisation is crucial to inclusive, sustainable development, but it is also an end in itself, ensuring that civil and political rights are upheld and other fundamental social, economic and cultural rights are respected. Democratisation can also contribute to the de-escalation of violent conflicts.
The SDC seeks to raise public awareness of citizens' rights and duties, the legal framework that facilitates citizen participation, and the support available for a range of citizens' initiatives. It empowers organisations to mobilise support for particular issues, represent groups effectively, consolidate structures, and build alliances.
Free media ensure that the public have access to independent sources of information. Free media can scrutinise the actions of the government and provide impartial platforms for public debate. Switzerland supports training courses for media professionals, for example, and encourages fair and balanced reporting that is properly researched. It also supports efforts to create a legislative framework to protect media freedom and raise public awareness on dealing with the media. The activities of the SDC are increasingly focused on social media channels, given the enormous influence that these now exert.
The activities of the SDC include providing training and advice to members of parliament on developing laws, serving on committees, overseeing budgets and administrative actions and implementing effective public outreach. The SDC also provides assistance in establishing effective parliamentary and secretariat services, working in cooperation with Swiss Parliamentary Services and other parties.
Switzerland promotes professional and independent electoral administrations, the dissemination of impartial, objective information to the public, and peaceful public debate. It encourages women and members of disadvantaged groups to take part in elections. Switzerland also provides assistance in undertaking electoral reforms and independent election monitoring.
The SDC works to ensure compliance with and implementation of laws and regulations and the imposition of appropriate penalties in respect of wrongdoing. It promotes training programmes for judges and lawyers and supports various forms of mediation to facilitate responsible, fair and efficient dispute resolution. The SDC also supports legal services that advise individuals and groups on their rights and on taking legal action.
Switzerland supports independent bodies set up to oversee government agencies and impose sanctions where malpractice is identified. Such bodies may include state auditors, anti-corruption agencies, ombudsperson institutions overseeing a range of matters and human rights commissions. The SDC provides assistance in the form of training, advice, organisational development and, in some cases, funding. The SDC also provides expertise in defining legislation governing the remit, independence and funding of such bodies.
Links
Current projects
Capacity building for Serbian municipalities

01.01.2018
- 31.12.2021
Switzerland is supporting the Serbian government’s public administration reform, which aims to make it more effective and accessible to both citizens and the private sector. SwissPRO project is being run in 99 municipalities (two-thirds of Serbia) to improve good governance, social inclusion and gender equality.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Serbia |
Governance Human rights Gender
Decentralisation
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Women’s equality organisations and institutions
|
01.01.2018 - 31.12.2021 |
CHF 7'990'000 |
Decentralization and Municipal Support in Kosovo (DEMOS)

01.01.2018
- 31.12.2021
Since the declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo has been engaged in the reform and decentralisation of its public authorities with the aim of strengthening autonomy and local democracy in its 38 municipalities. The SDC's “Decentralisation and Municipal Support” project (DEMOS) aims to help municipalities enhance democratic governance and municipal management and provide better public services, thereby supporting Kosovo in its transition to a democratic and decentralised state.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Kosovo |
Governance
Decentralisation
Democratic participation and civil society
|
01.01.2018 - 31.12.2021 |
CHF 12'800'000 |
A toolbox for sustainable sefl-reliance

06.09.2017
- 30.06.2021
Haiti has been repeatedly devastated by earthquakes and hurricanes in recent years. SDC engineers are now working with those affected to build more stable houses from local materials. Five hundred new homes are to be built by 2021.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Haiti |
Climate change and environment Humanitarian Assistance & DRR Vocational training Governance
Disaster risk reduction DRR
Humanitarian efficiency
Vocational training
Public sector policy
|
06.09.2017 - 30.06.2021 |
CHF 3'423'500 |
Support to Municipal Development Project (MDP-3)

01.09.2017
- 31.12.2021
Since 2009, the Municipal Development Project (MDP) has been the main vehicle for policy reform in the Local Governance sector in the oPt. It has channelled funding to Municipalities to support infrastructure projects and capacity-building activities in a transparent and equitable manner, despite huge challenges linked to 50 years of Israeli Occupation and to 10 years of intra-Palestinian divide. MDP-3 (2017-2021) is supported by 7 donors and the Palestinian Authority: SDC’s contribution is in line with Swiss Cooperation Strategy for the oPt (2015-2018).
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Palestinian Authority |
Governance
Decentralisation
Democratic participation and civil society
|
01.09.2017 - 31.12.2021 |
CHF 5'300'000 |
Access to drinking water: a challenge in Tajikistan

01.03.2017
- 28.02.2021
In Tajikistan, the poorest country in Central Asia, half of the 8.5 million inhabitants do not have access to drinking water. In mountainous and rural regions, the figure reaches 80%. This situation poses a serious risk to public health. The SDC's project on 'Safe drinking water and sanitation management in Tajikistan' (SWSMT) focuses on access to drinking water and sanitation in the east of the country.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Tajikistan |
Governance Health Water
Decentralisation
Infectious desease
Water supply
Health systems strengthening
Water sanitation
Public sector policy
Medical services
|
01.03.2017 - 28.02.2021 |
CHF 5'300'000 |
Better public services in fourteen of Benin’s communes

01.01.2017
- 30.09.2021
Efforts to decentralise public services in Benin are paying off. The SDC is focusing on two of the country’s departments. Since 2008, when the first support programme was launched, significant progress has been seen on the ground.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Benin |
Governance Health Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Decentralisation
Infectious desease
|
01.01.2017 - 30.09.2021 |
CHF 8'500'000 |
Reforming civil society organisations in Moldova

01.12.2015
- 31.12.2021
The Engaging Citizens and Empowering Communities project aims to strengthen civil society organisations by enabling them to play a crucial role in promoting and safeguarding the rights and interests of vulnerable and marginalised people in Moldova.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Moldova |
Governance Human rights Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Democratic participation and civil society
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
|
01.12.2015 - 31.12.2021 |
CHF 3'150'000 |
The members of municipal councils working for democracy

01.07.2014
- 31.12.2021
With the ‘Empowering Municipal Councils’ project, Switzerland’s international cooperation is helping municipal councils in North Macedonia to become effective local authorities whose community policies take into account the interests of ordinary citizens.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Macedonia |
Governance
Decentralisation
|
01.07.2014 - 31.12.2021 |
CHF 4'000'000 |
New approach in Bosnia and Herzegovina for democratisation

01.07.2014
- 30.06.2021
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s water and sanitation infrastructure is outdated and a large segment of the population has no access to a water supply. The starting point for the SDC’s project is good governance – the authorities must be transparent about building and renovation decisions, and ensure an inclusive political process for the citizens their decisions affect.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Governance
Public sector policy
Decentralisation
Democratic participation and civil society
|
01.07.2014 - 30.06.2021 |
CHF 12'000'000 |
Plannes Project: Promotion de la coopération transfrontalière locale
01.01.2013
- 31.12.2021
Jusqu’ici, l’UEMOA[1] a abordé l’intégration régionale par le haut, à travers les Etats. Les collectivités territoriales ne sont directement éligibles ni à ses allocations budgétaires[2], ni à ses programmes sectoriels. Le Conseil des Collectivités Territoriales (CCT) veut changer cette situation en initiant le PCTL qui donne aux élus locaux les ressources pour réaliser des projets transfrontaliers améliorant l’accès des populations aux services publics de base. Il replace la décentralisation au cœur de l’intégration régionale et du développement socioéconomique. [1] Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine créée en 1994 et regroupant huit pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest. [2] De 1996 à 2006, l’UEMOA a alloué aux pays CHF 270'000'000 au titre de compensations financières liées à l’intégration. Ces ressources sont destinées exclusivement aux Gouvernements.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
West Africa |
Governance Other Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Decentralisation
Sector not specified
Public sector policy
|
01.01.2013 - 31.12.2021 |
CHF 8'187'500 |
Programme d’appui aux communes urbaines du Mali (PACUM)
01.01.2012
- 28.02.2021
Un des enjeux de la reconstruction du Mali se trouve dans la promotion de villes secondaires délivrant des services de base aux populations et redevables devant leurs citoyens. C’est l’objet de ce programme financé par la Banque Mondiale à hauteur de CHF 65’000'000. Sollicitée pour son savoir-faire en matière de développement local, la DDC apporte une contribution de CHF 18'200'000 (21% coût global) pour structurer la gouvernance à la base et soutenir les dotations d’investissement pour les villes de Koutiala et Tombouctou.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Mali |
Agriculture & food security Governance Education
Rural infrastructure (till 2016)
Decentralisation
Public sector policy
Primary education
|
01.01.2012 - 28.02.2021 |
CHF 18'220'000 |
Better Planning for Albania's Government

01.01.2012
- 31.10.2022
Albania’s economy, public finance, and debt remain areas of concern as the government tries to keep positive growth and stability in a challenging context. Although capacities for policy and financial planning have improved, there still is a need for better performance, monitoring and integrated planning. Since 2005 a group of donors including Switzerland introduced the Integrated Planning System, a tool that aids the government in strategy planning while observing budget constraints.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Albania |
Employment & economic development Governance Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Financial policy
Decentralisation
Public finance management
|
01.01.2012 - 31.10.2022 |
CHF 2'075'000 |