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 73 – 84 of 302

Project completed

ApS: Territory as a space for peace: governance, education for peace and access to basic services and livelihoods as key elements for development and post-conflict in the Pacific Region

25.09.2017 - 30.09.2020

SDC will support ApS in improving living conditions of rural and ethnic communities in the Pacific Region affected by the armed conflict and natural events with a rights-based approach. The focus of this phase will be on an exit strategy that links humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development in four departments that were under the influence of the FARC. It will contribute to peacebuilding efforts in Colombia while addressing humanitarian needs in zones where armed violence has increased and state responses have been weak.


Project completed

IRC : Consolidation de l’environnement protecteur à Diffa au Niger

01.09.2017 - 28.02.2019

La région de Diffa est confrontée à une crise sécuritaire et de déplacement massif liée aux activités du groupe terroriste de Boko Haram. Les populations affectées sont exposées à des risques de protection. Par ce co-financement, la Suisse contribue à des mécanismes de protection communautaire renforcés qui permettent l’identification et le référencement des cas de protection et la consolidation d’un environnement protecteur.


Project completed

Colombia: HI: Comprehensive approach to mine action in the departments of Cacua and Nariño

07.08.2017 - 06.12.2018

SDC will support HI in strenghtning and complementing the institutional and community capaxity to manage min eaction with a differential approach (indigenous, peasant and afro-descendant) in the departments of Cauca and Nariño, under the Government's Rapid Response Strategy that is being implemented as part of the peace agreement signed with the FARC. The focus of the 2nd phase will be on a comprehensive approach (mine risk education, humanitarian demining, victim assistance and rehabilitation, and advocacy) that will bring a broader support to victims and vulnerable communities; and will link mine action dto developments programs as contribution towards peacebuilding in Colombia. 


Project completed

Transformemos Territorios Construyendo Paz

15.07.2017 - 31.12.2020

Strenghtening local communities and public officials’ capacities to manage conflicts over land and territories in seven departments in Colombia

SDC has supported the implementation of Land Restitution Policy throughout institutional strengthening and context analysis by applying situational approach. Due to the land restitution process’ ongoing challenges and the requirements of the Peace Agreement (with FARC), the partners have identified the necessity to work directly with rural communities and territorial authorities to develop their capacities to manage conflicts over land, and integrate into the strategy articulated actions between the local population, the authorities and the academy for the land policy’s future in Colombia. 


Project completed

Livelihood Assistance Program for Eastern Ukraine

01.07.2017 - 30.06.2020

This program assists conflict-affected persons in eastern Ukraine to generate income through selfentrepreneurship or employment, enabling them to cover acute needs and to decrease dependence on humanitarian assistance or state social benefits. The capacities of regional employment centers to deliver effective services to job seekers are strengthened, and proposals for a better regulatory environment for economic development and improved access to business loans will be submitted.


North Africa Cultural Programme

01.07.2017 - 30.06.2025

Le programme fournit un cadre pour un appui à la Culture comme vecteur d’échanges et de dialogue entre les personnes et les sociétés civiles en Afrique du Nord. Il contribue aux processus de transition politique, à la création d’opportunités de développement économique et à une vision positive de la migration. Il renforce la capacité des peuples d’Afrique du Nord à mettre en valeur leur patrimoine et aux jeunes de la région à exprimer pacifiquement leurs aspiration et leur inventivité.


SDC Contribution to DCAF for an expert of the Latin America/Caribbean Region 2017-2020

01.06.2017 - 31.05.2021

SDC has a strategic partnership with DCAF since 2011 with a core contribution of yearly around CHF 11 million. DCAF works on the interface between security and development policy, a domain of increasing importance for SDC. The expert offered by SDC will focus on developing DCAF’s relationship and cooperation with current and future donors and on building up a Latin America and Caribbean division (LAC), where the fragility of states, governance of security institutions and violence in general is a key challenge for development.


Improving safety for the Croatian population in mine-infested areas

A deminer removes mines in a meadow

01.06.2017 - 10.12.2024

Mines and other explosive remnants of war are a dangerous legacy from Croatia's 1991–96 war and they continue to pose a threat to the local population. Integrating mine victims economically and socially is also a challenge for Croatian society. As part of its enlargement contribution, Switzerland has provided CHF 3 million to support mine-clearance measures and improve the situation for mine victims and their families. The goal is to improve living conditions for people living in mine-infested areas.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Croatia
Unallocated / Unspecified
Unallocated / Unspecified
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sectors not specified
Sectors not specified
Removal of land mines and explosive remnants of war
Enhanced security and safety

01.06.2017 - 10.12.2024


CHF 3'000'000




Project completed

Support to Local Governance Programme (LoGo)

01.05.2017 - 31.12.2019

The programme will reduce the potential for conflict in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) by improving the relationship and trust between the people and the State; as part of the ongoing decentralization reform, the programme will strengthen the basis for accountable and participatory local government processes leading to more efficiency of local governments and public services responding to all citizens’ needs, including those of the most vulnerable.


Project completed

SSD NP: Preventing Violence and Building Safer Communities in the Sobat Corridor

01.05.2017 - 28.02.2019

This is the second phase of a project in the Sobat Corridor implemented by NP, aimed at improving the safety of civilians and further enhancing the communities’ capacity to prevent and respond to threats, through nonviolent conflict resolution and self-protection options. This includes direct protection activities such as accompaniments for vulnerable groups, trainings and awareness rising campaigns on protection, mediation, as well as protection mainstreaming and aid coordination.


Project completed

Object 73 – 84 of 302