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
Legal Identity for All (LIA) - Reaching Target 16.9 of the 2030 Agenda
10.12.2018
- 31.12.2021
Over a billion people do not have a legal identity. Legal identity is a prerequisite for full citizenship rights, formal employment, access to government services etc. People with no legal identity risk being left behind and stuck in poverty. The project will address the coordination gap between ongoing efforts of the UN and the WB and take advantage of new technologies to accelerate reaching target 16.9. of the 2030 Agenda “legal identity for all”.
Strengthen accountability for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health
01.12.2018
- 31.12.2021
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) ensures that efforts of the many stakeholders involved in maternal, newborn, child health as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights, are well coordinated at global and national level. SDC supports PMNCH’s accountability work so as to contribute to more effective and efficient use of resources in this priority public health area, including of the funding provided by Switzerland.
SHIKHON: Horizontal Learning Programme in Bangladesh
01.12.2018
- 30.11.2022
The elected local government institutions (LGIs) in Bangladesh have a mandate to provide public services to the people, but they lack both capacities and budget. The quality and outreach of their services can be improved at relatively low cost through facilitation of peer learning which benefits millions of people. Recognizing the effectiveness of the peer learning approach across LGIs, the Government of Bangladesh committed to institutionalize this approach in its main training institute for LGI officials, with support from SDC.
Asset Recovery Support Project
01.12.2018
- 31.12.2021
Systemic corruption, including the illegal appropriation of public assets by political-business elites has afflicted Ukraine for over two decades. Given the impetus for reforms following the Maidan revolution in 2014, as well as the large quantities of Ukrainian assets frozen in Swiss banks, Switzerland sees an opportunity to facilitate the return of public assets to Ukraine. This project provides technical assistance to strengthen Ukrainian authorities’ capacities in asset recovery.
United Nations World Bank „Humanitarian Development Peace Initiative“ (formerly „UN – World Bank Fragility and Conflict Partnership Trust Fund”)
01.12.2018
- 31.12.2021
The “Humanitarian – Development - Peace Initiative” (HDPI) is a joint effort by the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank aim to increase aid efficiency in contexts affected by fragility, conflict and violence through working closer together across the humanitarian – development – peace nexus. For the past eight years, Switzerland has been supporting the UN – World Bank partnership both politically and financially and is in a good position to promote further institutionalisation and scale-up
Recovery and stabilization support to Eastern Ukraine: Good Governance and Citizens' Engagement
01.12.2018
- 31.01.2022
The conflict in Eastern Ukraine has put a massive toll on key public infrastructure. 20% of active households have experienced employment loss and reduced livelihoods, and thousands of families have been separated from their relatives across the contact line. This contribution to the UN-led Recovery and Peacebuilding program aims at strengthening the capacities of regional and local governments to make more effective use of increased funding for addressing pressing recovery needs, supporting local dialogue and trust building.
Gestion des Eaux de Ruissellement dans le Tchad Sahélien (GERTS)
01.12.2018
- 30.11.2022
Ce programme vise l’aménagement des vallées avec des seuils d’épandage en vue de leur exploitation agro-pastorale au bénéfice direct de 350'000 personnes dans quatre régions au centre-est du Tchad. Cette approche est promue et mise à l’échelle avec l’appui d’organisations publiques et privées. Les femmes et les jeunes sont particulièrement encouragés à s’investir en production maraîchère à but commercial et pour améliorer la nutrition. Le programme contribue aussi à la stabilité au centre-est du Tchad, et à la prévention de la migration et de l’extrémisme violent.
WaSH Support for Rohingya Refugees and Vulnerable Local Communities in Cox’s Bazar District
25.11.2018
- 24.11.2021
Basic services such as infrastructure, health, water, forest and land resources that were available prior to the Rohingya influx in Cox’s Bazar are under strain due to the massive increase in people in the area. The HYSAWA Fund will address the needs and gaps of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, targeting vulnerable host communities and refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar by enhancing capacity of Local Government Institutions. It will apply tools developed in previous Swiss programmes to improve state-citizen relations and relationships between refugees and the host communities.
« Appui aux districts sanitaires au Tchad »
01.11.2018
- 31.12.2022
La gouvernance insuffisante du système de santé du Tchad est une des causes des indicateurs de santé très bas ; elle freine le développement tout en constituant un risque mondial pour le contrôle des pandémies. L’appui suisse touchera 1.5 million de personnes des régions du Batha et du Moyen Chari: celles-ci obtiendront des services sanitaires de meilleure qualité et plus accessibles grâce à un système national multi-acteur performant.
RAAYI: Appui aux médias du Niger pour une opinion citoyenne
01.11.2018
- 31.10.2023
Au Niger, en dépit de la consécration de la liberté de la presse par la constitution et l’émergence d’un pluralisme médiatique, les médias n’arrivent pas à satisfaire les besoins en information des citoyens, encore moins à répondre aux attentes des jeunes et des femmes. Ce programme améliore l’accès des populations à une information de qualité, leur permettant de participer à la construction de la démocratie et à la stabilité du pays en promouvant une culture de paix.
Air Pollution Impact on Health
01.10.2018
- 31.12.2022
This project aims at reducing the risks of air pollution to maternal and child health in urban Mongolia targeting the most polluted areas of Ulaanbaatar and one province centre. This sector governance project establishes evidence linking air pollution and its health impact, pilots and improves risk reduction measures for children and pregnant women, and both will inform policy making. Swiss know-how will be applied, i.e. through involvement of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.
State Support Programme (SSP) Nepal
01.10.2018
- 31.01.2024
Switzerland contributes to peace and stability in Nepal by supporting the country’s successful transition to federalism which is a pre-condition for enhanced economic development and prosperity. States are a critical catalyst for identity, conflict resolution and regional development in Nepal’s federal system. The programme therefore supports the State’s systems and capacities for inter-governmental cooperation, implementation and responsiveness towards citizens’ demands.