Stories

In a world where space for dialogue is ever diminishing, cultural platforms are essential, helping to strengthen social cohesion and build bridges. Art and culture are cornerstones of freedom of expression, peace and sustainable development. Films in particular show the diversity of realities and amplify the voices of minorities. Through the Open Doors initiative, the SDC supports filmmakers from the Global South and East at the Locarno Film Festival.

Climate extremes are a key driver of food insecurity. More frequent and intense floods, droughts and storms account for up to 90 per cent of hazards worldwide. At the same time, the climate crisis is intersecting with and exacerbating other drivers of hunger, including conflict and economic downturns. Traditional humanitarian response systems need to evolve from crisis response to forward-looking risk management, and the SDC-co-funded World Food Programme's Anticipatory Action (AA) is one way to achieve this.

As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is committed to identifying and finding missing persons. The missing persons programmes run by the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) prioritise Ukraine, the Caucasus, Kosovo and the Middle East. Switzerland also supports the ICRC's Central Tracing Agency and co-founded the Global Alliance for the Missing.

One in eight people worldwide reside in mountainous areas. These regions supply fresh water to half the global population. They are home to numerous plant and animal species found nowhere else. However, these delicate ecosystems face severe threats from climate change. The SDC-funded 'Adaptation@Altitude' project supports four mountain regions by analysing scientific climate change data, developing and replicating locally tailored adaptation strategies, and ensuring that the specific needs of mountain regions are considered in political decision-making processes.

The Debating Our Destiny project, which is being supported by the SDC in the Arabic-speaking world, gives young people, women and marginalised groups a voice and helps them to be heard. The goal is to empower these groups to actively participate in the political and social discourse.

The Peace Dividend Initiative's (PDI) experience in Colombia shows promising signs that supporting grassroots entrepreneurs helps secure sustainable peace. PDI's approach focuses on accelerating grants, private investments, and philanthropy to build profitable and peace-supporting businesses in conflict-affected areas.