The private sector plays a key role in transition countries. © SDC/Suzanne Linder

Unemployment and underemployment are among the most serious development problems facing the SDC's partner countries. People must have access to productive, reasonably paid employment enabling them to earn a living if global poverty is to be reduced in the long term and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved.

Private sector development

As a driving economic force, the private sector is accorded a key role in sustainable development.

Youth employment

Vocational education and training (VET) for young people must be tailored to the job market.

Financial sector development

Providing low-income households, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with improved access to financial services can boost their inclusion in economic life and make them less vulnerable to crises.

Current projects

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Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus (WEE)

01.09.2024 - 31.08.2026

Switzerland has been successfully supporting women and their businesses in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan since 2017. In this final phase of the project, Switzerland aims to institutionalize gender-related policies at national and local levels, build the capacities of the governmental and non-governmental partners to continue promoting women's empowerment and encourage the private sector to support more women in the formal economy.


Increasing Market Employability (IME)

01.09.2024 - 31.12.2026

North Macedonia’s economy is characterised by persistently slow growth rates as a result of low productivity due to outdated practices and scarce labour force due to high emigration. To address this, Switzerland, through its Increasing Market Employability project, supports small and medium-sized enterprises in sustainable agribusiness and tourism to become more competitive and environmentally sustainable by improving their products and services, while creating decent employment. The duration of the project is extended until 31.12.2026.


Tajikistan UNDRR - Strengthening Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Tajikistan (SRDCT)

01.09.2024 - 28.02.2026

Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate impacts, thus strengthening resilience needed as fundament for sustainable development. The intervention will contribute to (i) sustainable and effective mechanisms and instruments to improve risk governance through the national DRR platform,  (ii) improved risk knowledge through robust loss data collection and recording, and (iii) preparedness measures through support to multi-hazard Early Warning Systems and risk information.   


Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine 2 (PFRU-2)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2027

The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) unites eight development partners (UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia and the Netherlands) and the Government of Ukraine to strengthen communities and government legitimacy through improved services, economic recovery and strengthened civil society. With its contribution, Switzerland can shape the development and deployment of an innovative multi-donor financing instrument in Ukraine to support its resilience and early recovery.


Programme de Protection et Promotion Sociale Réactive aux Chocs (PROMES)

01.08.2024 - 31.07.2027

PROMES vise à renforcer la résilience de la population vulnérable d’Haiti. Une contribution de la Suisse au Programme Alimentaire Mondial permet de déployer un filet de protection sociale déjà testé et développé conjointement avec les autorités locales dans un nouveau département. En appuyant une ONG locale, le programme va consolider les résultats de la phase 1 dans le Sud-Est. Au niveau local dans le Sud, PROMES permettra d’améliorer les capacités de relèvement financier rapide en cas de catastrophes.


Boosting collective action for improved water quality management

01.08.2024 - 31.07.2028

Using a water stewardship approach, the programme aims to improve the quality and management of water as a shared resource, while ensuring sustainable business development in the Greater Mekong Region. In this 2nd phase, Switzerland will continue to support the World Wide Fund for Nature’s engagement with small and medium enterprises as well as other stakeholders, to reduce water pollution and improve water governance at river basin level.


Single-phase project: Enhancing Peace and Economic Prosperity through Women's Leadership and Inclusion (Women for Peace & Prosperity)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

In line with the priorities of the Governments of Moldova and Switzerland, the project aims to socially and economically empower women, including refugee women from Ukraine, increase their participation in decision-making and the workforce, promote their entrepreneurial activities, and finally contribute to a just, equal, inclusive and resilient society and economy in Moldova. The project will promote gender-responsive policies and initiatives to address key barriers to women's socio-economic inclusion.


Responsible Business Fund Plus (RBF+)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

Myanmar’s post-coup conflict escalation and economic turmoil has led to financial and economic instability and destabilised the agrifood industry. Also, extreme weather and climate change further impact farmers and agricultural processors. The Responsible Business Fund Plus project aims to support agrifood businesses while reducing their environmental impact and thus deepening Switzerland's commitment to private sector engagement and an inclusive green economy.


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.


Nepal Impact Investment Community 2 (NIIC2)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

SDC's contribution to the Nepal Impact Investment Community Fund 2 will address the gaps in the financial ecosystem and market failures that limit access to capital and constrain growth for Digital Economy Catalyst (DEC) SMEs. By bringing debt and equity together with in-built business development services support, the initiative will enable capital providers to address the needs of DEC SMEs and enable these SMEs to unlock growth, foster innovation, and create impact through the creation of job and income opportunities.


Skills Development Programme (SDP)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to address the needs of the domestic labour market remains a key priority for the Cambodian government. With this last phase, training institutions and enterprises in 12 provinces will improve their capacities to equip disadvantaged youth with relevant skills and knowledge. At the same time, the governance and financing of the TVET system as a whole shall be strengthened, incl. through cooperation with the private sector.


Futuro Microbank

15.05.2024 - 31.12.2027

The microfinance institution Futuro Mcb, SA currently provides financial services (loans, savings, insurance) to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) mainly in and around Nampula city. Switzerland will continue to support Futuro with a grant for technical assistance that will help the bank to expand its impact by providing financial services to more low-income entrepreneurs in more regions in Northern Mozambique, thus allowing them to enhance their income and create more jobs.

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