Swiss association of International Volunteering for Development (IV4D) UNITE 2023-2024

The UN General Assembly underlines in its Resolution 70/129 the important role of national and international volunteers to reach the SDGs of the Agenda 2030. UNITE is the central actor for this form of development cooperation in Switzerland. The development of the DC labor market, in particular in fragile contexts, adds additional challenges to this form of flexible and effective DC.

The MO of UNITE are active in diverse, mostly fragile contexts. Country contexts range from regions with (i) significant economic development in recent years, but characterized by a lack of social cohesion and a high socio-economic inequality (Latin America), (ii) political crises, high levels of criminality, substantial migration and natural disasters (Central America and Haiti) and (iii) long periods of civil war strongly marked by very high unemployment (50%) among young people, high economic/educational inequalities and poor public services (Sri Lanka, Angola, Mozambique) to (iv) nota-bly four particularly fragile regions marked by violence, inter-ethnic or inter-religious conflicts and major population movements (West Africa, the Great Lakes, the Horn of Africa and North Africa). In most of above contexts climate change and the abusive exploitation of environmental resources additionally fuel conflicts and increase the vulnerability of the population. Among these contexts, the most sig-nificant developments in 2021 were the war in Ethiopia, the increas-ingly shrinking space for civil society in Central America and the in-creasing insecurity in West Africa. The situation in Haiti also re-mains very precarious. In 2021, all contexts mentioned still were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, although to varying degrees. Thus, the priorities of partner organisations and their capacity to act changed. This has been particularly the case in the education sector where classes, courses or trainings have been suspended or where there has been a need to develop online education and facilitate online access for communities.

Strengthening the capacities of partner organisations to fight multidimensional poverty in the global South and improving at the systemic level framework condi-tions for SDGs.

9 co-financed Member Organizations contributing to overall goal and specific objectives (indicating percentage of SDC contribution to respective international programme):

• Associazione per l'aiuto Medico al Centro America (AMCA): 30,15%
• E-changer (EC): 39,76%
• Eirene (EIR): 40%
• Comundo - including Interteam (CM): 40%
• MediCuba (MC): 39,43%
• DM-échange et mission (DM): 20,57%
• SAM global: 28,13%
• Mission Evangélique au Tchad (MET): 37,92%
• Mission am Nil (MIN): 25,70%

• Common indicators and results framework established for 9 Swiss NGOs involved
• Qualitative method to measure effects of volunteer assignments successfully implemented
• Institutional evaluation of 11 member organizations leading to improved programmes
• Standards for IV4D documented in easily usable manual

Major achievements of UNITE’s co-financed MOs (2021 data) 

• 238 volunteer assignments for capacity development implemented
• 258 partner organisations strengthened
• 4’566 employees from partner organisations benefited from skills sharing/trainings
• SDG 2: 24’075 engaged in a more sustainable food production and/or in more resilient agricultural practices, 141’008 improved their access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
• SDG 3: 275’224 obtained access or improved access to health services (prevention, healthcare, medicine), 87’976 medical treatments and/or interventions performed
• SDG 4: 11’285 completed quality primary and secondary education equitable and affordable for the poorest leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes, 1’499 increased relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
• SDG 16: 21’901 benefiting of a decrease of physical, psychological and sexual violence, 55’625 (men/women of discriminated populations) benefiting of an increase of inclusiveness
• Systemic changes identified on SDGs 2, 3, 4 and 16 

• Two participatory and qualitative impact assessments with the critical eyes of partner organisations and other stakeholders from the South implemented in Chad and Nicaragua. Good practices were shared in 2021 on the strengthening of partners in the field of agroecology in fragile contexts.
• In 2021, UNITE actively participated in the SDC webinars on PSEAH, shared its work on the subject (contained in its standards, strategic orientation, impact measurement, methodology and studies). UNITE organised 5 webinars in 5 languages on the subject (including for partners in the South), as well as an additional one for the focal points of member organisations. The standards and the contracts with member organisations have been updated accordingly, as well as the code of conduct for staff on assignment and in Switzerland. UNITE also contracted an independent case reporting system "Safe Call". Targets were set for each member organisation for gender balance in their governing bodies by the end of 2022.

1. Sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices are strengthened (SDG 2) 
2. National health systems are strengthened (SDG 3) 
3. National education systems are strengthened (SDG 4)
4. Peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development are promoted (SDG 16)
5. Awareness to sustainable development has raised among the public in Switzerland (SDG 4.7) (for this outcome no SDC-programme contribution must be used).

Outcome 1: The member organisations of UNITE introduce good practices strengthening local civil society partners to become actors in their own right. 

Outcome 2: The member organisations of UNITE enhance the national ownership in their international programmes according to the GPEDC principles.

Outcome 3: Enhanced gender equality through transformation of unequal gender relations, including PSEAH, among partner organisations and beneficiaries. 

Fase 18 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)