Core Contribution to the Alliance Terre des Hommes (TdH) Schweiz-Suisse 2025-2028

The international environment is characterised by numerous multiple crises. The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the escalation in the Middle East, food insecurity, debt burden and inflation, climate change and the energy crisis are all having a direct impact on the world's population. They particularly affect the most vulnerable, mostly women and children and result in increasing humanitarian needs. 

Accelerated change is accompanied by increased uncertainty: The world is becoming more fragmented, unstable and unpredictable. Whilst the vision to reach the Sustainable Development Goals remains, challenges including the accelerating global food and nutrition crisis, shrinking civic and humanitarian space, the erosion of rule of law, intensifying armed conflicts, more frequent climate-related disasters, international migration and internal displacement, exacerbated demographics and an important gender gap hamper progress in reaching them and pose a main challenge for all actors engaged in Switzerland’s International Cooperation.

Almost half the world's population is under 30 and it is estimated that 25% of the world's children live below the poverty line. As a result of the pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety disorders and major depressive illnesses in adolescents has increased by 34%. 9 million more children were at risk of child labour in 2023 compared to the previous years, and 10 million more girls might be forced into early marriage between 2020 and 2030.

Children and youth are agents of change for child rights and sustainable development. 

The Alliance is enabling children, young people, and local civil society organisations (CSO) to act as agents of change, defending and promoting their rights as well as an inclusive and sustainable development. The programme targets children and young people affected by inequality, poverty, discrimination, violence, exploitation and migration, including also children and young people facing poor access to education. In addition, the programme will promote safe and responsible sexual and reproductive health among at-risk groups.

In 2023, the Alliance has provided support to over 800’000 people, including nearly 450'000 children and young people (57% female). The Alliance has actively promoted the rights of children and young people through the equitable partnerships with 95 national CSO.

The strengthening of community-based knowledge, and the support for the advocacy networks of local CSO have been main approaches of the Alliance members to reinforce institutional and community resilience. The Alliance’s countries saw the implementation of numerous awareness actions on child rights, sustainable development including on ecological rights in the era of climate change, reaching nearly 330'000 children and young people globally and more than 176'000 adults. In 2023 significant strides have been made in improving education access, quality and sustainability for nearly 112’000 beneficiaries. Despite the pervasive challenge of conflicts and state and societal violence, particularly impacting children and youth, the programmes of the Alliance have created effective protective environments, supporting children and youth to tackle vulnerability and risk. In the qualitative analysis, 74% of the affected target group perceived an improvement in their protection in families, schools and communities. Finally, families and young people improved their livelihoods regarding income, security food and climate change.

One of the Alliance’s key strengths is its long-term focus on localisation through partnerships with local CSOs, rooted at local and national levels. In 2023, a series of consultancies on Localisation were held to identify best practices and key lessons. A Knowledge Camp on Sexual and reproductive Health rights involved 15 partner organizations in 4 African countries and local networks. As a result of this experience, the Zimbabwean partners requested the government strengthen policies and programs aimed at combating drug and substance abuse. In the Northeast in Brazil, through the People's Forum for Public Security, 70 CSOs are working together to propose a new public security model in the face of the growing violence in the country's northeast.

Another achievement of the Alliance has the leveraging the complementation of experiences, methodologies, and diversity of partners and countries. This adaptability, has allowed the Alliance to effectively address country-specific issues and become more agile. In Brazil and Colombia, the Alliance’s first joint programme 2021-2024 have been closely assessed to prepare the 2025-2028 country strategies.

Outcome 1
In Switzerland, children and young people are empowered to promote their rights and inclusive sustainable development to face local and global challenges. (Not financed by SDC contribution)

Outcome 2
Children and youth from vulnerable and marginalized groups benefit from inclusive and equitable quality education opportunities that enhance their rights, their resilience and promote life perspectives adapted to their local context and global challenges.

Outcomes 3
Children, youth, and CSOs are - as actors of change - empowered to promote culture of peace and live in a cohesive and protective environment.

Outcomes 4
Adolescents and youth access health services, including psychosocial support for prevention and management of STIs, HIV and teenage pregnancy as well as medical, legal and psychosocial support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Outcomes 5
Youth have improved livelihoods through and towards social and ecological transition. 

The role of Swiss NGOs in the implementation of the Swiss IC Strategy 2025-28 shall be strengthened through:

a) sharpening the narrative on the importance of the core contribution,

b) an inclusive policy dialogue,

c) Locally led development and

d) potential adaptations of programmes and approaches (reforms in the larger sense).