Two children on a cotton transport truck
Cotton production is an important sector of Kyrgyzstan’s economy and one of its key value chains. © SDC

Conflict, violence and human rights violations: these are among the main challenges to combating poverty and fragility in the wider sense. The fragility of a state is characterised by the government’s inability to ensure the security of the population and provide basic public services, alongside its failure to establish mutually constructive relations with the country’s citizens.

More than 40 countries around the globe, home to some 1.5 billion people, are affected by fragile situations or exposed to violence or conflict. By 2030, more than 80% of the world’s poorest could be living in fragile contexts unless more concerted action is taken now.

Fragility poses a major threat to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing fragility will require greater acceptance of all its nuances by tailoring differentiated approaches to specific contexts and working across the full spectrum of issues, some of which are inherently difficult and sensitive.

Engagement in fragile contexts

Switzerland is stepping up its efforts to prevent and manage the consequences of crises, disasters and fragility. It intends to allocate 50% of its bilateral aid to conflict-affected or fragile contexts.

The SDC’s action in fragile contexts

Switzerland is committed to promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It works directly to ensure that no one is left behind.

Characteristics of fragile contexts

Fragile states and regions are characterised by weak institutions, high rates of poverty, violence, corruption and general arbitrariness. Fragility manifests itself in both development and transition contexts as well as humanitarian crises.

Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies

Focus on SDG 16+ to promote peaceful, equitable and inclusive societies for a sustainable development and to combat conflict.

Preventing conflict and all forms of violence

In preventing violent conflict, the aim is to stop previous conflicts from flaring up again and new conflicts from forming. The task is not simply to prevent crises but also to address the root causes.

Documents

Current projects

Object 217 – 228 of 302

Project completed

First Allocation of SDC Funding to ICRC Operations in 2013 in Colombia and Haiti

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2013

In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding for responding to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to ICRC operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to respond proactively and to provide immediate protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.


Project completed
Project completed

Community Security Initiative (CSI)

01.01.2013 - 31.03.2016

The OSCE Community Security Initiative (CSI) is the principal security response of the international community to the June 2010 inter-ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan. The CSI project support dialogue between the police and communities and between communities themselves. An assessment made in 2012 shows that the project has contributed to decreasing tensions in the region, as the presence of the CSI Police Consultants encouraged the police and the communities to engage in a dialogue.


Project completed

Media Diversity Institute: Study Tour to Switzerland

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2016

The overall objective of the ongoing project “Promoting Freedom of Expression, Diversity and Inclusion in Morocco” is to contribute to ensuring that Moroccan media policies, legislation and practices enable and encourage diversity of voices and opinion, as well as to reflect diversity of Moroccan society and allow freedom of expression for everyone. This SG complements the ongoing MDI project and allows an increased technical exchange and learning effect (Swissness).


Project completed
Project completed

Contribution to the programme of Iamaneh (Est)

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2014

The program of IAMANEH Switzerland addresses women and children in Western Africa and the Western Balkans in order to secure their access to quality primary health services, to grant safe motherhood and birth, to offer protection and safety from violence and health damaging practices and to allow informed choice with regard to family planning and prevention. Advocacy work contributes to the improvement of frame conditions for health and the securing of a sustainable health and social protection system in these regions.


Project completed

Contribution to the programme of Solidar Suisse (Est)

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2014

Solidar Switzerland’s cooperation engagement contributes to poverty reduction and respect of human rights. It supports political and economical processes to improve equitable access to resources, labour and power in a globalised world. Special focus is to enhance the decent work agenda and to foster democratic structures. At the same time Solidar undertakes awareness raising and advocacy activities in Switzerland, in order to sensitise the Swiss public on development policy issues.


Project completed

Programmbeitrag Stiftung Kinderdorf Pestalozzi (Ost)

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2014

Die Realisierung der Rechte des Kindes auf Zugang zu relevanter, ganzheitlicher und qualitativ guter Bildung als Voraussetzung für eine gerechte weltweite Entwicklung ist das übergeordnete Ziel der Internationalen Programme der SKP. Bildung ist ein Recht und ein Mittel, um alle anderen Menschenrechte zu verwirklichen. Interkulturelles Verständnis und interkulturelle Kompetenzen sind Schlüsselfaktoren für eine gerechte, friedliche und nachhaltige Entwicklung. Kinder und Jungendliche als grösste Bevölkerungsgruppe sind der wichtigste Hebel für sozialen Wandel undEntwicklung.


Project completed

Support to the Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA) 2012-2015

15.12.2012 - 31.12.2015

Support to civil society organisations that offer platforms for Palestinian women and men to participate in public life and advocate for their concerns is crucial to ensure citizens’ participation in a pluralistic and democratic society. SDC partnership with The Culture and Free Thought Association in Khan Younis (Gaza) enables the institution to implement community development initiatives with youth (male and female) and other underprivileged groups in the impoverished and conservative Khan Younis area of Gaza.


Project completed

Contribution to Fair and Free Local Elections 2013

10.12.2012 - 30.09.2013

The contribution to three Civil Society Organisations (CSO) aims at promoting fair and free local elections in Macedonia in 2013. The campaigns shall be supporting an atmosphere of fair, free and non-violent elections and at increasing the number of female candidates at the mayoral elections. In addition, the campaigns include the promotion of public debates between mayoral candidates, activities related to prevent the use of weapons and violence during the election campaign and on the voting day, and monitoring of the voting process.


Project completed

Access to Justice in Tajikistan

01.12.2012 - 30.11.2016

Legal reform and ensuring legal security for citizens in Tajikistan are cornerstones of the transition. The project aims to improve access to justice for vulnerable people and is contributing to reforms. Through the provision of legal aid services and the monitoring of law application and implementation practices, potential issues for reform shall be identified and analyzed. Reform proposals based on these analyses shall be advocated and discussed between governmental and non governmental actors. At the same time, the awareness and capacities both of legal service users and providers will be strengthened.


Project completed

Tawanmandi – A trust fund to strengthen Civil Society in Afghanistan

01.10.2012 - 30.09.2016

Civil Society in Afghanistan becomes increasingly stronger and aware of its role to advocate for rights and good governance. However, it remains still weak, has low capacity and little recognition for this role and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) lack coordination in their programmes and activities. The Tawanmandi (lit. empowering) Trust Fund is a means to address these shortcomings through channelling funds in a coordinated manner while simultaneously providing capacity development and promoting dialogue between civil society and government.

Object 217 – 228 of 302