Swiss Cooperation Programme 2023-26

Wives of migrant workers invest in small businesses and contribute the family’s income after attending financial literacy classes. © Thibault Gregoire

Nepal and Switzerland look back on over 60 years of collaboration and partnership. Today, Nepal remains a priority country for Swiss development cooperation.

In partnership with the Government of Nepal and guided by the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations, Switzerland supports the democratic development of the new federal state in Nepal. The Swiss Cooperation Programme 2023–26 aims to contribute to the improvement of socio-economic well-being of women and men, and support an inclusive and accountable federal state in Nepal. Switzerland pursues this goal by working across three complementary and interlinked intervention areas: (1) federal state building, (2) employment and income and (3) migration.

Approaches focused on federal state-building, climate change as well as gender equality and social inclusion are incorporated in a mainstreamed fashion across all Swiss interventions.

CoopProg 2023-26 (PDF, 44 Pages, 2.9 MB, English)

Approach and Partnership

Switzerland applies a mix of aid modalities, including mandates, contributions and budget support. Taking into account Nepal's Development Cooperation Policy (2019), the Swiss portfolio will continue to strengthen country systems, in line with its federal state building approach under the Constitution. Swiss-funded mandates bring Swiss expertise and innovation to Nepal, and leverage funding from the government of Nepal to replicate and scale up successful interventions, for example in the migration and TVET sectors. Joint initiatives with other development partners ensure a coordinated approach in key areas, such as capacity building at provincial and local levels and strengthening public financial management systems.

Switzerland's main partner and counterpart is the Government of Nepal across all levels, with a special focus on provincial and local governments. Swiss development cooperation is aligned with the government priorities identified in periodic plans and sectoral policies.

The Swiss programme portfolio mainly focuses on Province 1 in the eastern part of Nepal, allowing for consistent engagement with the province and maximising synergies between projects. Simultaneously, Switzerland maintains its flexibility to respond to opportunities in other provinces. System building initiatives (for example in TVET, migration and infrastructure) as well as political engagement and sectoral policy dialogue will ensure a nationwide scope for interventions.

The Swiss Cooperation Strategy for Nepal 2023–26 foresees total disbursements of approximately CHF 155 million (equivalent to NPR 16.5 billion) over a period of four years.