Economic and fiscal development - At the service of governance

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

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Projet Ecole résiliente au Burkina Faso

01.11.2018 - 30.10.2021

Les attaques terroristes qui frappent le Burkina Faso depuis 2017 ont entrainé la fermeture d’écoles et privé quelque 875’000 enfants (46% de filles) de leur droit à l’éducation. La Suisse soutiendra le Gouvernement, à travers l’UNICEF, afin d’assurer la continuité éducative à tous les enfants dans un environnement scolaire sûr. Par cette intervention mettant l’accent sur les enfants/jeunes, la Suisse agit en faveur de la stabilité du Burkina Faso et de la région, répondant ainsi aussi à ses intérêts propres.


Improving the Respect of Humanitarian Norms by Armed Actors in Yemen

01.11.2018 - 31.12.2020

The project aims to contribute to the protection of Yemeni civilian population from the effects of armed conflict. The awareness of Yemeni armed non-state actors’ (ANSA) on humanitarian norms, notably on landmines and explosive remnants of war, and children and armed conflict is raised which positively influences standards, policies and practices of armed groups.


Visions Sud Est 2019-2022

01.11.2018 - 31.10.2022

Filmmakers and artists at large contribute to the reflection of relevant issues shaping the future of our society. The fund Visions Sud Est supports film production in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. It is a partnership between SDC, major film festivals and a film distributor in Switzerland. Vision Sud Est is a contribution for filmmakers to bring in their voice and for ensuring the diversity of artistic expression in Switzerland and internationally.


Programme Culture et développement en Suisse: Soutien de la DDC aux festivals de cinéma 2018 - 2023

01.11.2018 - 30.06.2023

Film festivals are crucial for the diffusion of arthouse-cinema. SDC supports film festivals in Switzerland, as engagement for the cinema of the South and the East. The contribution of SDC allows the film festivals to investigate more in the discovery of film landscapes of the South and the East, to provide filmmakers an access to professional networks as well as skills and expertise, and to give their works additional visibility, in Switzerland, internationally and in their own countries.


Public Private Development Partnership: Promoting Social Entrepreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean

01.11.2018 - 31.12.2023

SDC is engaging with the private sector to achieve sustainable development outcomes. Whereas business entrepreneurs usually measure their performance with profit/financial return, social entrepreneurs‘priority is return to society incl. environmental concerns. This makes social entrepreneurs welI-aligned with SDC. The programme contributes to existing efforts by partners, in particular Ashoka, in supporting new and existing social entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean.


Cosecha de Agua (Water Harvesting)

01.11.2018 - 31.12.2022

This project strengthens the food security of 2,500 families and responds to the challenges of climate change and the economic crisis in Nicaragua’s dry corridor. The second phase of the project is intended to systematize and replicate on a larger scale water harvesting and other practices for more efficient use of water resources. In the interest of enhanced implementation efficiency and effectiveness, the participation of the government is reduced and a contribution to a specialized international organization is proposed.


Reducing the Prevalence and Impact of Violence in Western Equatoria

01.11.2018 - 28.02.2021

Nonviolent Peaceforce’s (NP) intervention in Mundri County, Western Equatoria State is aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of violence. Key activities will include conducting patrols in risky areas, protective accompaniments, advocacy, conducting trainings workshops, awareness raising activities etc. Through this intervention, Switzerland contributes to creating sustainable grassroots-led peaceful solutions to conflict, promotion of Human Rights, SGBV prevention and response among conflict affected communities.


Public Private Development Partnership to improved Plumbing Education in Ukraine

01.10.2018 - 28.02.2023

The mismatch of skills and qualifications with the needs of the economy remains an important cause of low productivity in Ukraine. This Public Private Development Partnership aims at improving the quality and relevance of vocational education and training for plumbers. Improved skills and knowledge tailored to the needs of the market will contribute to increase employability and incomes of young people.


Air Pollution Impact on Health

air polluted suburban area in UB

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.


Appui à la résilience de l’élevage pastoral en Afrique de l’Ouest

01.10.2018 - 30.09.2021

L’Afrique de l’Ouest connait une crise alimentaire qui touche environ 10 millions de personnes dont beaucoup d’éleveurs. Les plans de réponse des Etats et des institutions régionales ne mettent pas assez l’accent sur les éleveurs. Ce programme fournira une aide d’urgence à 174’240 éleveurs vulnérables de la région et améliorera les outils de distribution de l’aide dans les mécanismes régionaux et nationaux de gestion de crises alimentaire. Il réduira les conflits, en limitant les transhumances précoces.


Building Regional and National capacities for improved Migration Governance in the IGAD Region

01.10.2018 - 31.12.2021

The Horn of Africa is of high interest for Switzerland in terms of migration policy. Swiss support to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its Member States will contribute to improve their capacities to manage migration. Migrants and refugees will be better protected in the region and the contribution of migration to development of the Horn of Africa will be supported, hence stability promoted. The Swiss expertise and engagement at the policy level will contribute to foster a dialogue on migration between Switzerland and the Horn of Africa.


Blue Peace: Unlocking the value of transboundary, multisectoral and transgenerational investments

01.10.2018 - 31.12.2029

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals government efforts do not suffice, large private capitals deployed towards development are needed. Switzerland has a comparative advantage as innovative finance hub. Building on this, SDC contributes to the development of innovative financial products that enable transboundary, multisectoral and transgenerational investments with aim to contribute to sustainable development and peace.

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