Grand Bargain Project 2017-2018


The Grand Bargain is one of the concrete initiatives announced at the WHS to improve humanitarian action, as it provides avenues for how aid financing must be more efficient. The top 30 donors and aid agencies endorsed this so-called “Grand Bargain” to make aid more efficient, including long-term, flexible and less earmarked funding from the donors, reduced overhead costs and reporting requirements, a greater use of digital funding (cash transfers) and more means flowing to local and national responders. It also commits to more coherent and “impartial” needs assessments and less competition between aid agencies. In a nutshell, the Grand Bargain tries to address some of the structural reforms that are needed in the humanitarian system through the lenses of financing.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR

Humanitarian efficiency
15.02.2017 - 30.06.2020
CHF 450'000
Background Conflicts, natural disasters and disease are driving ever greater numbers of people to seek desperate remedies for their hunger, safety and survival. The world has never been so wealthy and yet on the frontline of humanitarian action, the lack of available resources to save lives is a constantly growing risk. This massive, deepening deficit requires an ambitious, global and collective response. The Grand Bargain is about harnessing the vast experience and expertise from across the humanitarian ecosystem and bringing it into realignment so that funding is better prepared for tackling the emergency needs of people.
Objectives Contribute to implement the Grand Bargain agreement between donors and agencies which sets out a shared understanding, opportunities, and common vision of how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid. Signatories include the main humanitarian donors, UN organisations, major NGO networks (51 signatories to date).
Target groups Grand Bargain signatories and other humanitarian partners
Medium-term outcomes
  • Support the Grand Bargain Secretariat through financing one position
  • Move forward work stream two on localization through Switzerland’s role as co-convener
  • Take lead on the organization of the Grand Bargain annual meeting in June 2017
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
  • United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs
  • World Food Programme


Other partners
Grand Bargain signatories
Coordination with other projects and actors Synergies and collaboration with GHD, especially activity 1.2 and IASC HFTT
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   450'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   340'462