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 25 – 36 of 302

Youth Engagement in Democratic Governance and Socio-economic Development in Africa

15.04.2019 - 30.04.2021

Africa has the youngest population globally. While this is an unparalleled opportunity for growth and innovation, it may also fuel instability and violence. Young people in Africa need more capacities to use their potential as drivers of peaceful changes. With African and COMESA, SDC seeks to contribute to current continental, regional and national efforts to create an enabling environment for youth engagement in democratic processes , in line with the CH interest of contributing to the prevention of violent extremisms and supporting economic partnerships in Africa


Project completed

Colombia, UNDP: UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Peacebuilding (MPTF)

01.04.2019 - 30.06.2021

Launched in 2016 within the “Colombia in Peace” framework, the first phase of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) of the United Nations for Post-Conflict for Colombia aimed to support national stabilization efforts as well as early preparation and implementation of the peace agreements. In 2019, nine donors (Norway, UK, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Chile, Korea and Switzerland) and the UN Peacebuilding Fund have agreed to support the second phase of the Fund, focusing on strengthening the stabilization of the territories and contributing to the achievement of sustainable peace results.  


Provincial and Local Governance Support Program (PLGSP)

01.04.2019 - 15.07.2023

Nepal’s new federal constitution addresses the long-standing root causes of conflict related to poverty, gender inequality and social exclusion. The Provincial and Local Governance Support Program is the government’s nationwide framework capacity building initiative to enable the newly elected provincial and local governments to assume their constitutional rights and duties. Switzerland led the planning for the development partners, The program will strengthen subnational institutions and service delivery, and contribute to peace and stability.


International Humanitarian Law, Security Sector Governance and Leadership in Transition

15.03.2019 - 31.12.2019

The project aims to increase the capacities of middle-ranked officers of the Myanmar Defence Forces to (1) drive forward reforms which improve the adherence of the Myanmar Defence Forces to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, (2) to improve protection of civilians in armed conflict and (3) to support reforms towards democratic control of armed forces.


Partenariats pour l’exercice d’une gouvernance appropriée (PEGA)

01.03.2019 - 31.12.2022

La région comme unité administrative décentralisée assure la cohérence et coordination des politiques publiques et initie des cadres de dialogue avec les acteurs du développement économique local. La dernière phase du PEGA couvre Sikasso, Mopti et Tombouctou. Elle permet à la Suisse de soutenir la consolidation des compétences des régions en faveur d’une bonne gestion des affaires publiques et contribue ainsi à la création de perspectives économiques durables et à la stabilité du Mali.


Support to Gaza Community Mental health Programme

01.03.2019 - 31.12.2021

By supporting the provision of quality mental health services through Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, Switzerland contributes to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable people in the Gaza Strip, where distress, psychological and psychiatric problems continue to increase after more than a decade of Israeli closure and intra-Palestinian divide, repeated traumatic conflicts and the degradation of socioeconomic conditions. Addressing distress and traumas also contributes to the prevention of radicalization.


Water Security Middle East (Blue Peace)

01.02.2019 - 31.12.2021

In the Middle East, the dire situation of water resources demands stronger regional cooperation than ever before. The Blue Peace Middle East Initiative is the only regional platform engaging six countries around water issues. Together with its partners from academia, international organisations, civil society and the private sector, Switzerland is able to promote policy and concrete solutions for serving the most vulnerable populations leading to sustainable development and peace building. Stability in the region is in the interest of Switzerland.


Project completed

Programme contribution to Brot für alle / Bread for all 2019-2020

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2020

Bread for all (Bfa), the development organization of the protestant churches of Switzerland, has aligned its mandate with the Agenda 2030. Through a network of ten faith-based organizations active in partner countries, Bfa supports disadvantaged people to access Food Security, Education and Health. It also strengthens communities in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, while furthering the social responsibility of Swiss stakeholders.


Project completed

United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2020

The protracted conflict in eastern Ukraine and its devastating effect on the civilian population requires a continued comprehensive international human rights monitoring and engagement with relevant actors. The presence and impartial work of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission helps to identify human rights gaps and concerns in Ukraine with a special focus on the east and Crimea. The mission formulates specific recommendations for shaping state policies and international assistance programs.


She Leads – Women Leadership Programme

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2022

Federalism has created a historic opportunity for some 14’000 Nepalese women, over half of them from socially discriminated groups, to serve for the first time as elected representatives at local level. However, most elected women at local level remain excluded from political decision making due to discrimination based on patriarchal norms and values, and lack of resources and networks. The project promotes women leadership to support the peace process and to prevent future conflicts.


Contribution au Club du Sahel et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CSAO)

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2022

L’Afrique de l’Ouest est confrontée à d’énormes défis : insécurité alimentaire chronique, pauvreté élevée, insécurités, emplois des jeunes, extrémisme violent etc. Le Club du Sahel et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest est une plateforme internationale unique qui nourrit par ses analyses et ses recommandations la prise de décision des acteurs politiques et de développement de la région afin de mieux traiter ces défis. L’appui de la DDC contribuera ainsi à la sécurité alimentaire et la stabilité de la région


Participation citoyenne et prévention des conflits dans la région des Grands Lacs (PCPC)

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2029

Les conflits récurrents dans la région des Grands Lacs ont des conséquences néfastes sur les systèmes de gouvernance et sur le bien-être des populations. Il est dans l’intérêt de la Suisse de contribuer à une paix durable et à la stabilité dans la région. Le projet renforcera ainsi les mécanismes formels et informels de prévention et de gestion des conflits communautaires, par la promotion des droits de l’homme, de la redevabilité sociale et du dialogue inclusif. Des partenariats engageront les autorités et différents acteurs de la société civile, en priorité dans les régions transfrontalières.

Object 25 – 36 of 302