Program Contribution to Swisscontact 2023-24

Swisscontact's international program is implemented in 22 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. The main challenges in the intervention countries are related to poverty, inequality, food insecurity, weak education systems, corrupt governments, poor sanitation and violence. The countries also suffer from low economic growth with small-scale farmers or enterprises disconnected from international markets. At the same time, the pressure on natural resources and climate change affects production and productivity.

The humanitarian situation is challenging, especially the Sahel Region is increasingly affected by terrorist threats. Central America's Northern Triangle deals with a pressing humanitarian crisis due to crime, poverty, displacements and inequality. The lack of career prospects and socio-political exclusion of the refugee population increases the risk of radicalisation, especially in the Middle East.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been overcome and still affects social and economic development especially in poor countries and further deepens inequalities. Youth and people seeking wage- or self-employment, as well as micro and small businesses are significantly affected by this crisis. Swisscontact considers empowerment of these groups, innovation and flexibility as key elements to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic and to create resilience.

Swisscontact will increasingly engage the private sector and test new cooperation and financing models. This is particularly relevant for SDC. To promote this form of partnership and gain in-depth experience, Swisscontact has reserved a part of the budget for new projects and grant matching. This allows to target such partnerships more specifically and in a flexible manner.

In 2021 key results in outcome 1 were: 8 637 people (39% women) found productive wage and self-employment (target by 2022: 12 000; 50% women), and 30 jobs were created (target by 2022: 350). The income increase in 2021 was 50.35% (target by 2022: 35%).

In outcome 2, 120 farmers, MSMEs and entrepreneurs (23% women) increased their annual net income thanks to our projects (target by 2022: 5 000; 30% women) and 28 jobs were created or maintained (target by 2022: 500). The income increase was 49% (target by 2022: 15%). In total, 1 630 t CO2 were reduced (target by 2022: 4 000). 

Outcome 1&2: Swisscontact has participated in the gender learning day and presented an example of a gender-specific intervention during the COVID-19 crisis in one of the break-out groups. This initiated a lively discussion and the exchange of experiences from other organizations. We likewise facilitated the input presentation by a high-ranking Ministry staff of Cambodia, who is a partner of our project, in the SDC Learning Journey Workshop on Country Ownership. 

Outcome 3: In the first year of this phase, Swisscontact placed a special focus on conflict sensitivity and made great progress to institutionalize this topic within the organization. The institutional framework on Conflict Sensitivity has been put into action by the institutional focal point. 70% of the Development Programme project managers concluded the swisspeace e-learning and submitted an action plan which was revised by our focal point.

Outcome 4: Concerning Prevention from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) all reported Whistleblowing cases were followed up and pursued by Swisscontact (100%). The establishment of a lead and core team (mixed by Head Office and regional management), as well as a reporting template (case journal) and the cooperation with local lawyers, has proven to be successful. The Partnership Management Policy has been jointly elaborated. 

Outcome 1 (skills & employability): Target groups (e.g. job seekers, workers) increase their skills and employability to find or improve in productive wage and selfemployment and sustainably generate additional income or create jobs with positive impacts on the environment, gender equality and social well-being.  

Outcomes 2 (entreprise & productivity): Target groups (e.g. small enterprises, entrepreneurs) are empowered and increase their productivity, production, sales and turnover to sustainably generate additional income and create jobs with positive impacts on the environment, gender equality and social well-being. 

Outcome 1: Swisscontact introduces good practices in strengthening local civil society partners to become actors in their own right. 

Outcome 2: Swisscontact enhances the national ownership in its international program according to the GPEDC principles.

Outcome 3: Projects apply a conflict sensitivity approach according to Swisscontact’s internal conflict sensitivity framework.

Outcome 4: Enhanced gender equality: Transformation of unequal gender relations among local partner organisations and citizens / beneficiaries with whom they work. 

Phase 16 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)