Promoting democratic values is essential to inclusive governance. The equal participation of all population groups increases the likelihood of fair and balanced development that benefits everyone. Efforts are made to curb corruption and the abuse of power, minimising the risk of frustration and political confrontation. Promoting democracy is one of Switzerland's foreign policy priorities.
Democratisation is a key concern for the SDC, which aims to promote community involvement and responsible government action. By enabling different population groups to have an equal say in political life and determine issues that affect their daily lives, diverse interests can be represented, supporting broad-based decision-making. This lends greater legitimacy to political processes and creates a climate of shared responsibility for implementation. Other key democratic principles include power-sharing, checks on power, accountability, the rule of law and equality before the law.
Switzerland supports both democratic institutions and democratic processes, promoting interaction between the mutually reinforcing democratic forces that shape the political system. Promoting gender equality and equal participation and protecting disadvantaged communities are key priorities for Switzerland. In meeting its commitments, Switzerland works from a politically informed perspective, supports solutions that are appropriate in the context and builds on existing structures. It works on the basis of democratic values rather than any specific model.
Democratisation is crucial to inclusive, sustainable development, but it is also an end in itself, ensuring that civil and political rights are upheld and other fundamental social, economic and cultural rights are respected. Democratisation can also contribute to the de-escalation of violent conflicts.
The SDC seeks to raise public awareness of citizens' rights and duties, the legal framework that facilitates citizen participation, and the support available for a range of citizens' initiatives. It empowers organisations to mobilise support for particular issues, represent groups effectively, consolidate structures, and build alliances.
Free media ensure that the public have access to independent sources of information. Free media can scrutinise the actions of the government and provide impartial platforms for public debate. Switzerland supports training courses for media professionals, for example, and encourages fair and balanced reporting that is properly researched. It also supports efforts to create a legislative framework to protect media freedom and raise public awareness on dealing with the media. The activities of the SDC are increasingly focused on social media channels, given the enormous influence that these now exert.
The activities of the SDC include providing training and advice to members of parliament on developing laws, serving on committees, overseeing budgets and administrative actions and implementing effective public outreach. The SDC also provides assistance in establishing effective parliamentary and secretariat services, working in cooperation with Swiss Parliamentary Services and other parties.
Switzerland promotes professional and independent electoral administrations, the dissemination of impartial, objective information to the public, and peaceful public debate. It encourages women and members of disadvantaged groups to take part in elections. Switzerland also provides assistance in undertaking electoral reforms and independent election monitoring.
The SDC works to ensure compliance with and implementation of laws and regulations and the imposition of appropriate penalties in respect of wrongdoing. It promotes training programmes for judges and lawyers and supports various forms of mediation to facilitate responsible, fair and efficient dispute resolution. The SDC also supports legal services that advise individuals and groups on their rights and on taking legal action.
Switzerland supports independent bodies set up to oversee government agencies and impose sanctions where malpractice is identified. Such bodies may include state auditors, anti-corruption agencies, ombudsperson institutions overseeing a range of matters and human rights commissions. The SDC provides assistance in the form of training, advice, organisational development and, in some cases, funding. The SDC also provides expertise in defining legislation governing the remit, independence and funding of such bodies.
Links
Current projects
Nurturing Active and Responsible Citiziens
01.10.2018
- 30.09.2030
Molodova's democracy is still young and fragile. The population is disinclined to participate in decision-making, to practice democrtatic values and to demand their rights. Schools have an important role in educating active and responsive citizens, but are not well prepared for it. By improving democratic school governance and introducing practical civic education, Switzerland will support Moldova in raising civic consciousness of chlidren and adolescents, and engaging them in ther communities.
Institutional Support to Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities
01.10.2018
- 30.09.2022
SDC is providing an institutional contribution to the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) to lead policy dialogue, advocacy and represent interests of local governments (LGs) before the central government in policy and law making. SCTM will promote decentralisation in Serbia together with the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government, and support its member LGs to implement adopted laws and pursue reforms, ultimately bringing benefits to all citizens, men and women, in all sectors governed by LG.
Somalia - Inclusive and accountable governance
01.09.2018
- 31.12.2021
In 2012, a comprehensive state-building process along federalist principles started in Somalia. Switzerland will contribute to a more inclusive, accountable and equitable governance system by focusing on the constitutional review process and strengthening the parliamentarians’ capacities. It will promote knowledge sharing, exchange of Somali, Swiss and international expertise, and public discourse to foster Somali-owned governance arrangement.
SDC –OECD DCD Partnership on Illicit Financial Flows 2018-2021 (single phase)
01.09.2018
- 30.11.2021
lllicit Financial Flows (IFF) constitute a fundamental obstacle to economic growth and good governance in the development countries. Building on previous and current OECD/DAC work on IFF, the Development OECD Co-operation Directorate (DCD) and SDC are prepared to establish a partnership on IFF to contribute in designing policies and building partnerships to address IFF across source, transit and destination countries. Switzerland thereby contributes to efforts of the international community to achieve SDG 16.
Somalia - UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG)
01.09.2018
- 31.12.2021
After two decades of civil war and the following establishment of an internationally recognised federal government of Somalia in 2012, the UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) supports the building up of more effective, accountable and inclusive local governance systems. Focusing on improved regulatory frameworks, enhanced public service delivery, and civic engagement, SDC contributes to enhanced state legitimacy, peacebuilding and more equitable access to public service well-being for all citizens, aiming thereby at more stability in the Horn of Africa.
Citizen security
01.09.2018
- 31.08.2022
The program supports the reforms of the National Police focusing on institutional integrity: reform of the police education system, community policing and effective control systems for personnel. In the Gulf of Fonseca and the Mosquitia, justice and security sector actors, local governments, civil society, private sector and indigenous populations strengthen their cooperation and jointly implement local and regional violence prevention strategies.
Réduction de risques de catastrophes naturelles dans le Sud et le Sud-est d’Haïti
01.09.2018
- 31.08.2022
En Haïti, les catastrophes répétées détruisent les actifs des populations, les infrastructures économiques et provoquent des pertes en vies humaines. Elles freinent la croissance et le développement. Le projet vise à réduire les risques naturels via le transfert de compétences aux acteurs locaux, la sensibilisation des populations et la création de conditions favorables à la planification/réalisation des mesures de réduction de risques qui protègent les personnes vulnérables de certaines communes du Sud et du Sud-est, 2 des départements les plus à risques.
Strengthened and Informative Migration Systems (SIMS)
16.08.2018
- 14.12.2023
Labour migration remains a key driver for development in Bangladesh. The present project strengthens the socio-economic development of the country by providing better life perspectives for migrant workers. It enables migrant workers and their families to take informed decisions towards a productive and safe migration experience with reduced social costs. This supports implementation of the parliamentary mandate to better link Swiss migration policy with international cooperation.
Safer Migration (SaMI III) project
16.07.2018
- 15.07.2022
Labour migration is positively affecting Nepal’s socio-economic development with remittances significantly reducing poverty. Nevertheless, the rights of migrants are often violated. The Safer Migration project will empower migrants and their families and strengthen government protection mechanisms. The project will benefit about 600’000 men and women in three states of Nepal and enable about 60 local governments to run foreign employment services.
Towards Transparent, Inclusive and Accountable Governance in the Republic of Macedonia
15.07.2018
- 30.06.2022
The project aims at increasing gender equality in Macedonia and the quality of life for women and vulnerable groups by 1) systematically integrating a gender perspective in public policies and budgets which leads to the allocation of more funds for greater gender equality in strategies and policies; 2) empowering women and vulnerable groups to advocate for their needs in municipal planning and budgeting; and 3) supporting CSOs and Members of Parliament in overseeing the implementation of gender responsive policies and initiatives.
Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) Phase 2
01.07.2018
- 31.12.2022
Land governance remains at the centre of development challenges in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV), and land expropriation is a key driver of new poverty and food insecurity. The governments in the region have begun to turn their attention to legal and policy issues on land governance. This creates an opportunity for MRLG and the Reform Actors it brings together, to contribute to improvements in policies and practices regarding land tenure security for family farmers.
Integrated Water Resources Management in the Barind areas
01.07.2018
- 30.06.2023
By promoting the coordinated, equitable and sustainable development and management of water, land and related resources, and addressing the institutional challenges associated with integrated water resources management, the project intends to ensure access to sufficient and safe water for the disadvantaged people of the Barind tracts in North-Western Bangladesh.