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

Object 661 – 672 of 971


Formación técnica profesional

01.05.2017 - 31.10.2023

Vocational skills development is key for improving production and expanding opportunities for employment and self-employment. The project aims to reduce poverty and inequality by enhancing access to the labour market. It seeks to strengthen vocational skills and certify competences with an emphasis on young people and adults, promote the quality of training centres, and the shared responsibility of public/private stakeholders. Strategies cover both the national and the local level.


Soutien au Dispositif National de Sécurité Alimentaire -PRESA-

01.05.2017 - 30.06.2022

Malgré l’excédent céréalier enregistré depuis plus de 20 ans, le Mali fait face à des crises alimentaires récurrentes qui touchent près du quart de la population. La Suisse soutient le Dispositif National de Sécurité Alimentaire par la combinaison des instruments de l’aide humanitaire et de développement en vue de gérer les crises alimentaires et renforcer la résilience des populations vulnérables. Cet appui contribuera à la stabilité du pays et de la sous-région et a le potentiel de réduire la migration forcée.




AsDF: Replenishment of the Asian Development Fund (AsDF-12)

01.04.2017 - 31.12.2026

Switzerland will support with CHF 28 million the 11th replenishment of the Asian Development Fund (AsDF). The projects financed by the AsDF contribute to reducing poverty and improving living conditions of people in the poorest regions in Asia and countries most affected by natural disasters and conflict situations.  With this participation in the AsDF, Switzerland contributes to the achievement of the agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the implementation of the agenda from the climate change conference (COP21) in Paris.


Health Promotion Cabo Delgado

01.04.2017 - 31.12.2021

Switzerland contributed to health promotion in Cabo Delgado Province in Northern Mozambique by supporting the retention of health promotion workers, strengthening community involvement and the public finance management. Phase 2 of the project builds up on this and newly address Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in order to improve access and quality in the provision of health and WASH services targeting the 23 rural health posts in  three districts of the Province that are serving a total population of 570’000 people.


Soutien au Panel Global de Haut Niveau pour l’Eau et la Paix

01.04.2017 - 30.09.2020

Le Panel Global de Haut Niveau pour l’Eau et la Paix, initiative fer de lance initié par la Suisse ainsi que 14 pays co-parrains, a été lancée avec succès le 15 novembre 2016 dans le cadre du projet Blue Peace Global. L’objectif de cette phase est d’assurer la bonne continuation des travaux du Panel, soutenu par le GWH (7F-08448.02) et le Strategic Foresight Group, ainsi que d’assure par la suite la promotion de leurs recommandations au plus haut niveau politique.


UNDP Business Call to Action

01.04.2017 - 31.12.2024

The Business Call to Action (BCtA) challenges companies to make public and measurable commitments towards becoming inclusive businesses understood as businesses that include people from the bottom of the pyramid – as consumers, producers or employees – in their value chains thus bringing the benefits of private sector led growth to the poorest segment of the population. To date, over 170 companies in 65 countries have joined the BCtA, which was launchedas a multi-stakeholder initiative in 2008 under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).


Higher Income in the South Caucasus Thanks to Competitive Agricultural Products

A man in a protective suit holding a honeycomb full of bees on the roof of a high-rise building.

01.04.2017 - 31.03.2022

Livestock farming is an important source of income for a large part of the rural population in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. But many farmers live from subsistence farming and produce just enough food for their own needs. The aims of the project are to strengthen smallholder farms and to provide them with access to markets. This way, farmers can sell their honey, meat, cheese and wool products, and sustainably increase their incomes.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
South Caucasus
Employment & economic development
Agriculture & food security

SME development
Agricultural development

01.04.2017 - 31.03.2022


CHF 5'100'000




Object 661 – 672 of 971