Programme contribution and eligibility clearance

Once every four years, and synchronised with Switzerland's strategy on international cooperation, the SDC publicly invites Swiss NGOs to apply for programme contributions in accordance with a specified procedure posted on its website.

The SDC Guidance for Engagement with Swiss NGO provides the framework for SDC’s cooperation with Swiss NGOs and ensures an effective and efficient use of funds to help the poorest and most vulnerable communities in developing countries and crisis zones. The Guidance explains the system for allocating programme contributions, which ensures that the distribution process is transparent and competitive.

SDC Guidance for Engagement with Swiss NGO (PDF, 22 Pages, 313.1 kB, English)

Evaluation Report NGO Certifications  (PDF, 61 Pages, 1.1 MB, English)

Programme contribution recipients from 2023 (PDF, 3 Pages, 250.2 kB, German)

Programme contributions are granted to the following four categories of NGOs:

  1. Large Swiss NGOs
  2. Swiss NGO umbrella organisations
  3. Cantonal federations
  4. Swiss NGO alliances

Overview of categories (PDF, 1 Page, 170.9 kB, German)

An NGO may apply for a programme contribution in one category only. Individual large Swiss NGOs may apply for programme contributions directly. Small NGOs may obtain programme contributions as members of umbrella organisations, cantonal federations or NGO alliances.

Eligibility process and application procedure 2025-2028

The SDC Guidance sets out the eligibility requirements, application and approval process for programme contributions.

The three stages involved in allocating programme contributions are set out below. 

Phase 2: Applications for programme contributions and assessment (June 2023 – January 2024)

Swiss NGOs that have received confirmation of their eligibility from the SDC may submit an application for a program contribution. Applications should be submitted in the standard format provided by the SDC.

Categories 

Documents

Deadline

Large Swiss NGOs

Application for a programme contribution – Large Swiss NGOs (PDF, 16 Pages, 281.1 kB, English)

Budget template – Large Swiss NGOs (XLSX, 26.7 kB, English)

Risk management matrix (DOCX, 1 Page, 94.2 kB, English)

 

08.01.2024

Swiss NGO umbrella organisations

Application for a programme contribution – Swiss NGO umbrella organisations (PDF, 16 Pages, 285.1 kB, English)

Budget template – Swiss NGO umbrella organisations (XLSX, 26.7 kB, English)

Risk management matrix (DOCX, 1 Page, 94.2 kB, English)

 

08.01.2024

Cantonal federations

Application for a programme contribution – Cantonal federations (PDF, 16 Pages, 361.8 kB, English)

Budget template – Cantonal federations (XLSX, 26.7 kB, English)

Risk management matrix (DOCX, 1 Page, 94.2 kB, English)

 

08.01.2024

Swiss NGO alliances

Application for a programme contribution – Swiss NGO alliances (PDF, 20 Pages, 294.6 kB, English)

Budget template – Swiss NGO alliances (XLSX, 26.7 kB, English)

Risk management matrix (DOCX, 1 Page, 94.2 kB, English)

 

08.01.2024

The transfer of documents needs to be done via the same platform used for phase 1.

Phase 3: Approval and allocation of funds (summer – autumn 2024)

The amount allocated to a programme depends on the quality of the application, the total SDC budget for programme contributions and the number of recipients.