For the SDC, local economic development is not just an economic matter but a cooperative approach which provides an excellent tool for bringing together different interest groups to agree on local cooperation that can help create jobs and income, in addition to improving governance.

SDC focus

Moreover, local economic development can also strengthen governance at national level. In countries like Kosovo or Burkina Faso, the SDC conducts local economic development activities which have been implemented simultaneously in several towns. This has enabled municipalities (or rather territories, because each town has close links with its peri-urban and rural hinterland) to exchange information and experience that are specific to them. This has led to better cooperation among local authorities and thus added weight to the local dimension in dialogue with central government.

Background

Local economic development brings together various stakeholders from civil society, as well as the public and private sectors. Its goal is to promote cooperation so as to develop a given area. Cooperation is a key factor in governance. Local economic development (LED) triggers a political process in which the protagonists have to negotiate the priorities bearing in mind the limited human and financial resources at their disposal.

Forces that drive the economy

Economic considerations drive the private sector. Cooperation on creating public goods, such as improved framework conditions for investment, calls for a private-public collaboration that is built into concrete projects ("We'll build the road, and you'll build the factory. You tell us what's not right about the investment climate, and we'll put it right."). In this way, combined LED efforts create new business prospects. The public sector needs the private sector for local economic development.

In virtually every country, it is the private sector that creates most jobs and generates income, and jobs and income are a priority for the public sector's customers and voters. Poverty reduction and – perhaps more important for a civil servant – re-election of the mayor and his staff depend on the generation of income.

Governance as a process

Civil society, like local associations, should also be part of planning and implementing development projects in which the economic dimension is obviously not the only issue at stake. The State and local government do not cover all the ground. So the three stakeholder groups – the public and private sectors and civil society – negotiate and cooperate on the basis of concrete information derived from evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy, as well as the opportunities and risks involved. This dynamic exchange between partners improves governance at local level.

Current projects

Object 73 – 84 of 971

Mekong River Commission (MRC) – Contribution to the basket fund for the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2021-2025

01.01.2021 - 31.12.2025

The Mekong River Commission is the only treaty-based intergovernmental organisation for the Mekong River Basin with a clear mandate for integrated water resources management, procedures and tools to support equitable use of water and address transboundary issues. Switzerland with its experience in water diplomacy and management contributes to the implementation of the new Basin Development Strategy (2021-2030) and Strategic Plan (2021-2025) through the multi-donor Basket Fund. 


Program Contribution to the Alliance Terre des Hommes Schweiz-Suisse 2021-2022

01.01.2021 - 31.12.2022

Terre des hommes schweiz and Terre des Hommes Suisse have formed an alliance to pool their expertise to address the root causes of exclusion and vulnerability of children and young people. tdh schweiz is competent in participatory approaches for young people and focuses on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, a culture of peace and sustainable livelihoods. TdH Suisse has a strong expertise in the integrated promotion of the right to participation, protection against exploitation and violence, and education, including education for sustainable development. 


Program contribution Alliance Biovision CEAS 2021-2022

01.01.2021 - 31.12.2022

Biovision and the Center for Ecology Albert Schweizer (CEAS) jointly support inclusive ecological development of healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities in Sub-Sahara Africa by addressing root causes and effects of fragility. The new Alliance promotes innovative solutions in agriculture and food systems, renewable energy, sanitation and health in collaboration with private sector and research. Biovision facilitates policy dialogue at local and international level on the sustainable transformation of food systems and the implementation of the Agenda 2030. 


An inclusive world in which all persons enjoy their human rights and a decent life, and achieve their full potential

01.01.2021 - 31.12.2022

Fairmed and Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM) have joined forces in the LNOB Alliance. It works in fragile contexts, prioritizing the needs of the most marginalized and discriminated people especially of women, men, girls and boys with disabilities. It seeks to improve living conditions of individuals and empowering marginalized communities while also strengthening inclusive systems and services. The Alliance contributes to the implementation of the UN Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Switzerland ratified in 2014.


Skateistan

15.12.2020 - 31.12.2024

The Skateistan programme offers quality educational, sport and recreational opportunities to Afghan children and youth from low-income families, street working children, and children with disabilities. The programme facilitates the reintegration of out-of-school children into the formal public school system. Switzerland supports the Skateistan programme to contribute to create equitable, safe, and conducive learning opportunities especially for girls and marginalized children. 


Contribution to the UN-REDD Pro-gramme (single phase)

15.12.2020 - 31.12.2025

Forests are a central solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, their sustainable management is an imperative for the planet but also for millions of vulnerable people. The UN-REDD Programme is a key player in accelerating the implementation of appropriate policies and actions in tropical low and lower-middle income countries to reduce deforestation and restore forests. The contribution will allow for a strong Swiss engagement jointly with the Federal Office of the Environment, and for the capitalization of existing work of the four SDC domains on forest ecosystems and related livelihoods.


Redevabilité, sécurité et prévention de l’extrémisme violent pour les citoyennes et citoyens tunisiens RESPECT

01.12.2020 - 30.11.2026

L’intervention renforce la gouvernance du secteur de sécurité tunisien et les capacités institutionnelles de prévention de l’extrémisme violent. Elle contribue ainsi à une meilleure protection des citoyennes et des citoyens tunisiens à travers une assistance vers une gestion de la sécurité redevable et efficace, et à travers un soutien à la définition et à la mise en œuvre de politiques publiques limitant le phénomène de l’extrémisme violent.

 


Covid-19 Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (single phase)

01.12.2020 - 31.12.2022

Established by The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF) addresses immediate impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on rural people, prevents the erosion of results from past and ongoing operations, and puts in place building blocks to support post crisis recovery and long term resilience. As an IFAD member state, Switzerland joins international efforts with this time-bound response to prevent the health crisis from turning into a food crisis.


Hands4health Hand hygiene, water quality and sanitation in primary health care facilities and schools not connected to a functional water supply system

01.12.2020 - 31.12.2024

Current technologies and approaches to improve water, sanitation and hygiene are fragmented. Hands4health focuses on the development, testing, evaluation and scaling up of new water efficient hand washing technologies as well as on a holistic approach to hand hygiene, water quality and sanitation. To leave no one behind, the project works in primary health care facilities and schools not connected to a functional water supply system in in four target countries and beyond. 


Kulturförderung Süd/Ost

01.12.2020 - 31.12.2024

Die DEZA fördert den Zugang von Kulturschaffenden aus Asien, Afrika, Lateinamerika und Osteuropa zum Schweizer Kulturmarkt und internationalen beruflichen Netzwerken. Sie leistet einen finanziellen Beitrag an das Büro für Kulturkooperation „artlink“ für die Dokumentation, Information sowie die Vermitt-lung von Engagements von Künstler*innen aus dem Süden und Osten in der Schweiz. Zudem können Kulturveranstalter beim SüdKulturFonds Gesuche für Auftritte aus dem Süden und Osten einreichen. 


Strengthening the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia

01.12.2020 - 30.11.2022

In partnership with the OSCE, Switzerland supports the Armenian Government in establishing a new Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC). This specialized body will be key in investigating and combatting corruption crimes. Through capacity-building activities and policy support, the ACC will be in a position to contribute to curb corruption, strengthen the Anti-Corruption system and the rule-of-law in the context of the Government’s Anti-Corruption Strategy 2019.


Innovations for efficient quality health systems

01.11.2020 - 31.12.2026

Despite enormous progress in access to healthcare in low and middle-income countries, nearly 9 million people still die every year in these countries because of poor quality of care. SDC supports the establishment of a global design lab for the development of innovative tools to enhance quality measurements that form the base for cost-effective investments into quality improvements. The lab will benefit from Swiss research knowhow.

Object 73 – 84 of 971