Economy and Education Backstopping

The creation of the E+E section is a recognition of the trajectory of human development investments ranging from basic education, including for people in crisis-affected situations, to a functioning private sector as the main provider of livelihoods and jobs across the developing world. The high congruence between the themes of E+E and SDC’s bilateral and thematic cooperation programmes underscores a significant need and demand for the section’s involvement through its four thematic functions, and in particular through its thematic advice and knowledge management and learning.

The E+E section inherited the thematic BS systems of the previous Inclusive Economic Development (IED) and Education (EDU) units that operated independently between 2018 and 2021. Overall, the Backstopping System (BS) remains crucial to enhance the E+E and SDC-wide capacities to deliver on the four key strategic priorities of the section: just, inclusive and green development; scaling the PSE modality; fitter for fragility and for the service-oriented business model of the E+E team. Reflecting both the reinforcement of the internal capacities of the E+E team as well as the budget pressure, it will be simplified and strongly reduced for the next five years – 2025-2029.

Staff of the E+E Section, SDC staff of operational units at Headquarters and in field

Offices; trough the network also partner organisations.

• SDC partners and staff design and plan PSD, VSD, EDU and PSE interventions according to sectoral best practices including professional and independent PSE risk assessments
• Professional and impactful SDC and partner projects / programmes in the domains of inclusive economy and education
• Scaled up and improved strategic engagement of SDC with private sector partners

Expected results:  

• PSD, VSD, EDU and PSE guidance is up to date and instruments are accessible on the E+E shareweb (for external and internal usage)
• The capacity building offer in PSD, VSD, EDU and PSE responds to the needs of the SDC operational units
• The SDC operational units have received strategic and operational PSD, VSD, EDU and PSE advice
• Improved SDC PSD-, VSD-, EDU- and PSE- related internal capacities (SDC units and E+E team) including a specific focus on just and inclusive green economy as well as fit for fragility

Results from previous phases:  

• Strategic advice (examples): systematisation of the SDC PSE principles and processes; interplay basic education – VSD; concept papers on green skills and green economy; slide decks and input papers supporting PSD project planning and strategies; input paper on green education.
• Operational advice (examples): direct support to dozens of PSD, VSD and PSE projects of various SDC units; PSE risk assessments (70 since 2021).
• Knowledge management (examples): update of the FSD and VSD guidance; guidance about SIEs, about the financing of infrastructure and equipment in VSD; practical guidance papers on system change in PSD interventions; co-preparation of trainings(education in emergency essential course; PSE Basics, PSE-100).