For the SDC, local economic development is not just an economic matter but a cooperative approach which provides an excellent tool for bringing together different interest groups to agree on local cooperation that can help create jobs and income, in addition to improving governance.

SDC focus

Moreover, local economic development can also strengthen governance at national level. In countries like Kosovo or Burkina Faso, the SDC conducts local economic development activities which have been implemented simultaneously in several towns. This has enabled municipalities (or rather territories, because each town has close links with its peri-urban and rural hinterland) to exchange information and experience that are specific to them. This has led to better cooperation among local authorities and thus added weight to the local dimension in dialogue with central government.

Background

Local economic development brings together various stakeholders from civil society, as well as the public and private sectors. Its goal is to promote cooperation so as to develop a given area. Cooperation is a key factor in governance. Local economic development (LED) triggers a political process in which the protagonists have to negotiate the priorities bearing in mind the limited human and financial resources at their disposal.

Forces that drive the economy

Economic considerations drive the private sector. Cooperation on creating public goods, such as improved framework conditions for investment, calls for a private-public collaboration that is built into concrete projects ("We'll build the road, and you'll build the factory. You tell us what's not right about the investment climate, and we'll put it right."). In this way, combined LED efforts create new business prospects. The public sector needs the private sector for local economic development.

In virtually every country, it is the private sector that creates most jobs and generates income, and jobs and income are a priority for the public sector's customers and voters. Poverty reduction and – perhaps more important for a civil servant – re-election of the mayor and his staff depend on the generation of income.

Governance as a process

Civil society, like local associations, should also be part of planning and implementing development projects in which the economic dimension is obviously not the only issue at stake. The State and local government do not cover all the ground. So the three stakeholder groups – the public and private sectors and civil society – negotiate and cooperate on the basis of concrete information derived from evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy, as well as the opportunities and risks involved. This dynamic exchange between partners improves governance at local level.

Current projects

Object 169 – 180 of 971

Improving access to good-quality healthcare services in Kosovo

01.01.2020 - 31.12.2023

AQH strengthens clinical capacity and managerial competence in partner municipalities towards increasing quality of services provided as well as enhancing the system’s understanding and response to the needs of communities, in particular vulnerable groups. At the community end, AQH generates demand for quality services, by improving health literacy and involving people in shaping the services, thus leading to an increased and rational utilization of all health services and ultimately improved health status of the population.


Philippines: Typhoon Phanfone - Contribution to IFRC Emergency Appeal

28.12.2019 - 31.12.2020

This Emergency Appeal seeks 2 million Swiss francs (CHF) to enable the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to deliver assistance for 12 months and support to 20,000 people affected by Typhoon (TY) Phanfone/Ursula. The appeal focuses on the following sectors: shelter; livelihoods and basic needs; health; WASH; protection; gender and inclusion (PGI); migration; community disaster preparedness and risk reduction; and National Society capacity enhancement. Therein, SDC favours humanitarian assistance to Shelter and WASH sectors.


Responsible Agricultural Investments Leveraging (RAIL) by IFAD

15.12.2019 - 31.12.2023

The International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD is a key partner for Switzerland in the efforts to lift smallholder farmers out of poverty. SDC supports the IFAD-led Agricultural Business Capital Fund to finance responsibly African farmer organisations, small and medium agribusiness enterprises, and rural financial intermediaries. The Fund will lead to higher incomes and more jobs notably for youth and women as well as increased food security, contributing to improved livelihoods of an estimated 430’000 smallholder households applying more sustainable farm practices.


African Risk Capacity (ARC)

10.12.2019 - 31.12.2022

The African Risk Capacity is a disaster risk management pool and early response mechanism established by the African Union member states against natural disasters like drought, flood, and tropical cyclones, and the outbreak of highly contagious diseases. Its drought insurance and the new insurance products for flood and tropical cyclones enhance the safety nets of smallholder households and thus contributes to food security in Africa.


UNHAS - Amélioration de l'accès aux bénéficiaires au Mali

09.12.2019 - 31.12.2020

Face à l'insécurité dans de nombreuses régions du Mali, seul le service aérien humanitaire des Nations Unies (UNHAS) permet d'accéder aux populations et de ne laisser personne pour compte grâce à un transport sûr et rapide d'acteurs humanitaires et de développement (nationaux/internationaux) et de l'assistance. Cette contribution à UNHAS garantit le suivi-évaluation des programmes suisses, favorise le développement socio-économique des régions et assure le dialogue avec les partenaires sur place.


Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Program

01.12.2019 - 30.11.2023

The project supports the Government of Nepal to institutionalize trail bridge building under the new federal structure. Due to the ongoing state restructuring process, Swiss support is required for a last phase to ensure the transfer of the institutional and human capacity built-up in trail bridges over the past four decades to the new state and local governments. Walking remains a major mode of travel in Nepal, and trail bridges are still essential for people to access basic public services


Contribution to Education Cannot Wait Fund – earmarked to Africa/MENA

01.12.2019 - 31.12.2021

75 million children in emergency and protracted crisis situations are being deprived of their education and the chance to prepare for a productive adulthood. Yet, education remains the least funded sector during crises. Complementary to other initiatives and established in 2016, the global fund Education Cannot Wait is geared at putting quality education for conflict and natural disaster affected children at the center, advancing SDG 4 also in such contexts and bridging the gap between humanitarian and development. 


Master of Advanced Studies in Development Cooperation (MAS) - NADEL

01.12.2019 - 30.11.2023

Mit der Unterstützung des “Master of Advanced Studies“ des «NADEL- Center for Development and Cooperation» an der ETHZ leistet die DEZA einen Beitrag an die Ausbildung von Nachwuchskräften für die Entwicklungs-zusammenarbeit. Diese praktisch ausgerichtete akademische Aus- und Weiterbildung von Fachkräften hat zum Ziel, Wirksamkeit, Effizienz und Innovation der Schweizer Entwicklungszusammenarbeit dauerhaft zu sichern und zu steigern.


Programme de Renforcement de l’Éducation de Base au Batha (PREBatha)

01.12.2019 - 30.11.2023

Au Tchad, la situation de l’éducation primaire est alarmante. Les taux de scolarisation et d’achèvement y sont très faibles, y compris au Batha, province d’intervention prioritaire de la Suisse. A travers le PREBatha et en complémentarité avec son programme « Promotion de la Qualité de l'Education de Base » (ProQEB), la Suisse contribue à l’amélioration de l’environnement et des conditions d’accès à l’éducation et d’apprentissage des enfants du Batha, particulièrement des filles.


Support to the QCPR / Joint SDG Fund for the 2030 Agenda

01.12.2019 - 31.12.2021

The 2030 Agenda calls for a more integrated approach of the United Nations Development System (UNDS) in the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. There is a promising constellation of UN leadership and member states’ reform decisions to make the UN more efficient and effective. This contribution will accelerate the reforms through financing of integrated sustainable development solutions by UN Country Teams targeting those most left behind.


ESTHER Switzerland (Ensemble pour une Solidarité Thérapeutique Hospitalière En Réseau)

01.12.2019 - 30.11.2024

ESTHER Switzerland provides a mechanism for systematic mobilisation and use of Swiss healthcare expertise to strengthen human resource capacities for health and consequently the quality of service delivery in low and middle-income countries. ESTHER promotes institutional partnerships between Swiss hospitals or research entities with institutions of the same kind in partner countries so as to address priority needs in terms of service delivery.


Myanmar: Support to the 2020 Elections

01.12.2019 - 31.03.2022

Switzerland contributes to credible, transparent, inclusive and free of violence or intimidation national elections in 2020 through a partnership with International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Swiss support will facilitate inclusive reform of the electoral framework, strengthen the capacities of the Union Election Commission as well as increase information and access to electoral process with a focus on women and marginalized groups

Object 169 – 180 of 971