Basic education and vocational skills development

African girls raising their hands.
The SDC considers basic education and vocational skills development to be interconnected and complementary. © UN Photo / Marco Dormino

A good education lays the foundation for the economic and social development not only of the individual but of society as a whole. Education helps to reduce poverty and social and economic disparities and stimulates economic growth. The SDC pursues the objective of quality education accessible to people of all ages by focusing on two priority sectors: basic education and vocational skills development.

Education in any society is fundamental to achieving sustainable development underpinned by peace and social cohesion. Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all is the fourth sustainable development goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Along with achieving decent work for all within the framework of sustained economic growth and eradicating poverty, this goal is central to the SDC's activities.

As a vehicle for raising public awareness, education can help improve hygiene practices, advocate​​ responsible agricultural production, and improve public knowledge about the effects of climate change.

In many developing and transition countries there is a real need to improve the education system. It is equally important to ensure access to education in fragile contexts, where social disparities tend to worsen.

In the area of education, the SDC works to improve the quality of both basic education and vocational skills development. The SDC sees both components as interconnected and complementary, not only from a linear educational perspective. Depending on particular needs and contexts, it can make good sense to teach basic education and vocational skills development modules simultaneously to provide young people with a set of marketable basic skills to maximise their chances for professional integration.

Strengthening educational opportunities in developing countries and countries in transition is a priority of Switzerland's international cooperation in the years ahead. 

Basic education

The SDC promotes quality basic education that is adapted to the needs of each population and accessible to as many people as possible. To this end, it works with several partner countries in reforming their education systems.

Vocational skills development

By working with the public authorities and the private sector, the SDC is able to develop training programmes tailored to the needs of the market. It thereby enables growing numbers of young people to find decent employment and to contribute to their country’s development.

Current projects

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JIGITUGU+: Appui au renforcementd es competences des jeunes femmes et hommes ruraux dans le secteur agricole

01.02.2025 - 31.12.2028

A travers ce projet intégré, la Suisse veut contribuer à relever les défis des zones rurales du Mali en mobilisant les ressources locales. Il vise à renforcer la résilience, promouvoir l’éducation et l’emploi des jeunes et des femmes, et améliorer la sécurité alimentaire. En intégrant ces publics dans des systèmes éducatifs, professionnels et agricoles adaptés, le projet aspire à un impact durable, notamment par l’augmentation des revenus, la promotion de pratiques agroécologiques et le renforcement des institutions locales.


Contribution to Education Cannot Wait Programme Budget 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

224 million crisis-affected children and adolescents are in need of education support. Education Cannot Wait (ECW) provides education opportunities in emergencies and protracted crises, bridging the gap between humanitarian and development cooperation. Through this partnership with ECW, Switzerland contributes to influencing global agenda setting, strengthening crisis-resilient education systems and affirming International Geneva as a global platform for education in emergencies. 


Core Contribution to Kooperationsgemeinschaft (KoGe) 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

KoGe is an umbrella organisation whose mandate is aligned with the SDG 16+ framework (peaceful, just and inclusive societies). With its faith-based member organisations of protestant background that are deeply anchored in the Swiss society, KoGe empowers disadvantaged people and provides improved food security, education and health. It also strengthens communities in peacebuilding and conflict transformation.


Core Contribution to Swiss Personnel Development Cooperation of UNITE 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

UNITE is a Swiss umbrellao rganisationw ith 13 member organisationse ngaged in Personnel Development Cooperation (PDC). The UNITE programme 2025-28 brings together the contribution of nine members to the implementation of the Swiss IC Strategy 2025-28 and the SDGs by strengthening and empowering local organisations in the Global South, in particular through the assignment of qualified, voluntary professionals. UNITE has developed Swiss PDC standards and contributes to the development of international PDC guidelines.


Core Contribution to the Alliance Terre des Hommes (TdH) Schweiz-Suisse 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

Terre des hommes Schweiz and Terre des Hommes Suisse have formed the TDH Alliance to pool their expertise in the promotion of children's and youth rights in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Alliance’s final goal intends to create the conditions for children and youth to be agents of change, defending and promoting their rights as well as an inclusive and sustainable development to benefit from access to basic services and improve their perspective for a decent life.


Core Contribution for the Alliance Enfants du Monde-SolidarMed 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

The EdM-SoMe Alliance promotes equal access to quality basic health and education services, adapted to local socio-economic realities. It works for vulnerable, most disadvantaged groups: women, children, and poor people in rural areas. The Alliance strengthens national health and education systems and empowers the civil society in the contexts where it is active. The Alliance stands out in its collaboration with the private sector, academic/research partnerships combining education and health.


Projet YirSor la voie du développement (FONAENF)

01.12.2024 - 30.11.2028

Au Burkina Faso, 65,5% des adultes sont analphabètes et 50% des enfants de 6 à 16 ans (3 millions) sont exclus de l’école. La Suisse soutient la diversification des alternatives éducatives au profit des exclus de l’éducation, afin de renforcer les capacités à lire et écrire et les connaissances techniques et professionnelles de près de 250’000 apprenants. Ce soutien contribue à améliorer l’insertion socio-conomique et les conditions de vie, prévenant ainsi la migration irrégulière et l’enrôlement par les groupes armés.


Appui à l'insertion professionnelle et socioéconomique de jeunes guinéens afin de limiter les risques liés à la migration irrégulière

01.08.2024 - 31.07.2027

Ce projet de l'OIM soutient le renforcement de la qualité de la formation socio-professionnelle de jeunes guinéens, leur orientation professionnelle et leur insertion sur le marché du travail. Avec les fonds flexibles migration, la DDC appuie les autorités guinéennes et le secteur privé à réduire le chômage des jeunes et à leur offrir des perspectives professionnelles au niveau national.


République démocratique du Congo (RDC): Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation (TPO) Protection des enfants et des femmes

15.07.2024 - 30.06.2026

Les conflits armés à l’est de la RDC continuent à engendrer des violations graves des droits de l’enfant et de la femme, y compris les violences basées sur le genre, le recrutement forcé et le manque d’accès à l’éducation. Par le biais de mécanismes et structures communautaires et de gouvernance locale, ce projet vise à identifier les principaux problématiques de protection, y apporter une assistance et contribuer à leur résolution.


MICS: Building national statistical capacity for SDG data collection, analysis and reporting in Bangladesh

01.07.2024 - 31.12.2025

This project aims to gather crucial data on children's and women's well-being through the 'Multi Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS)' to contribute in policy design. Additionally, it aims to enhance national statistical capacity to collect internationally comparable estimates of key indicators for monitoring SDGs and national priorities. The project will continue Switzerland's long-standing tradition of supporting data and statistical capacity in developing countries.


Fonds d’Appui au Développement des Communes (FADeC)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

La Suisse à travers sa contribution au Fonds d’Appui au Développement des Communes (FADeC) poursuit et renforce son engagement dans la décentralisation financière au Bénin. Celle-ci vise l’amélioration de l’accès inclusif des populations (enfants, jeunes, adultes hommes et femmes, etc.) à des services sociaux de base de qualité. La Suisse contribue ainsi à la réduction de la pauvreté par un développement communal harmonisé.


Appui aux Programmes PASEC et PACTE de la CONFEMEN (Conférence des Ministres de l’Education des Etats et Gouvernements de la Francophonie)

01.03.2024 - 28.02.2028

En soutenant le Programme d’Analyse des Systèmes Educatifs (PASEC) et le Programme d’Appui à la Transformation de l’Education (PACTE) de la Conférence des Ministres de l’Education de la Francophonie (CONFEMEN), la Suisse contribue au renforcement de l’accès et de la qualité de l’éducation dans ses pays prioritaires en Afrique de l’Ouest. Des analyses approfondies des systèmes éducatifs sont réalisées, et les résultats permettent d’orienter les politiques éducatives pour une efficacité accrue.

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