Who are we?

We are a foundation, independent of political or denominational ties, created in 1959 by Swiss private businesspersons and university academicians. We have 300 collaborators in Switzerland and other countries, who are committed to our institution’s work.

What do we do?

In cooperation with local public and private partners, we build sustainable development (sustainable in economic, social, political and environmental terms) in certain countries through programs and projects, with the principle of Assistance for Self-Help.

Why do we do this?

Development cooperation aims to overcome poverty. Through education and training, we hope to help people in the least favored countries to improve their quality of life through self-reliant processes.

What are our working principles?

• Private initiative as the basis for economic growth and creation of jobs. Assistance for Self-Help.
• Sustainability through long-term cooperation with local partners.
• Equal opportunities for women and men.
• Incorporating the demands of environmental protection.

How do we get involved?

Through:

• Encouraging the supply of financial services for small and medium enterprises.
• Reducing environmental pollution caused by production activities.
• Contributing to improving the production setting.
• Integrating democratic and market economy principles in projects.
• Promoting the sustainability of projects through temporary, subsidized assistance.
• Cooperating with local partners who are willing to become self-reliant, to make their own contributions and to share in the projects’ goals.
• Fostering synergies by integrating projects into a coherent program and the cooperation among partners.

How are projects funded?

Swisscontact implements its own projects thanks to the support of companies, associations, foundations, municipalities and cantons, as well as private persons (circle of friends) in Switzerland. Projects are also implemented by the mandate of national and international institutions, especially the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency (SDC).

What is our strategy?

• Implement projects in clearly identified core areas.
• Build the private sector of the economy in different aspects: Financial Services.
• Building private-sector structures in the economy to strengthen civil society.
• Sustainable solutions through partners’ active contribution from the beginning of cooperation with Swisscontact.

How do we work?

Swisscontact features a participatory, decentralized decision-making structure that is committed to doing its work according to top standards of efficiency. Our activity is continually subjected to internal and external evaluations, to gauge the achievement of the proposed goals, and to make any necessary adjustments.