Programme contribution HEKS/EPER 2023–2024

Worldwide increased fragility, shrinking space for civil society with 9 out of 10 persons living in countries where human rights and civic freedom is severely restricted, a deteriorating Human Development Index with 860 million people suffering hunger, growing multidimensional poverty and increasing inequalities were rampant in 2021 across all 28 countries HEKS/EPER works in. Some of them are the most conflict-ridden and economically deprived areas of the globe: Amongst the 20 countries most in crisis, according to OCHA, ten are countries HEKS/EPER is active in. There, it is increasingly challenging to enhance sustainable livelihood and make progress towards the Agenda 2030.

A large part of the rural population suffers from a lack of access to basic services (health, education, and infrastructure), jobs, and market systems. Rights to access and use land and natural resources (e.g. water) are increasingly disputed. Unless the manifold inequalities are reduced, the HEKS/EPER countries will not be able to put up with the effects of climate change, the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts or rising authoritarianism. In late 2021, HEKS/EPER merged with Brot für Alle (BfA). This merger boosts awareness-raising, advocacy and policy dialogue, enabling systemic change linked to national and global rights frameworks.

• Humanitarian aid: In 2021, 528’184 people were reached directly and 4’475’560 indirectly, benefitting from emergency aid, rehabilitated livelihoods, reconstructed infrastructure/WASH and increased preparedness/prevention.
• HRBA & dialogue between duty-bearers and rights-holders: In 2021, 186 claims for access to land, resources and services were facilitated, involving 2’636’000 people; 95% accepted.
• Improved access to basic services by empowering rightsholders: In 2021, 42’400 marginalized and discriminated people benefitted from improved access to basic services such as social assistance (e.g. pensions, food rations, shelter), education and health. Special emphasis was put on ethnic groups such as on Roma (Eastern Europe), Dalits and Adivasi (India/Bangladesh).
• Inclusive market systems: In 2021, HEKS/EPER reached around 11’000 people (mainly producers and small traders in rural areas) with 22 market and income projects in 11 countries; 56% of them reported an increase in income. 
• Access to land and resources: In 2021, the dialogue between smallholders and authorities facilitated following achievements: 89’022 ha land/1251 plots were secured for 85’492 individuals (51% women). 52’135 people got access to drinking water through DC projects.
• Peasants’ Rights Declaration (UNDROP): Together with other NGOs, BfA and HEKS/EPER formed an advocacy alliance, which - in coordination with FDFA - served as sounding board for the UN in the elaboration of UNDROP. After adoption of UNDROP in December 2018, HEKS/EPER and BfA initiated a broad alliance of CSOs supporting the implementation of the declaration in the North and South. The high-level 4th HEKS/EPER Landforum 2021 called for mainstreaming the UNDROP, enabling trade policies and inclusive and sustainable food systems as recommended by a study published in 2020 by the ‘Friends of UNDROP’ group.

(also considering some developments of previous phase) 

HEKS/EPER organized 4 Land Fora with the participation of SDC as well as Swiss and international NGOs. 3 other international meetings on access to land were co-organized as well as several international meetings and campaigns in Brazil, Senegal and India promoting sustainable land governance. BfA, as an umbrella organisation of 10 faith-based organisations, supported a major organisational change, namely the development of a cooperation community of its member organisations, which founded in 2019 a new umbrella organisation focusing on SDG16+. The results of HEKS/EPER’s interventions on access to land and resources as well as those of BfA considering land grabbing and food security were acknowledged in the development sector and became publicly visible.

HEKS/EPER implements its projects through partners of the local civil society and links them with other civil actors and alliances fostering policy dialogue with duty-bearers of governments or business. HEKS/EPER was part of an alliance (governments, the ACT Alliance EU et al.) developing intense advocacy of the ‘OECD DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance’.

In 2021, out of 163 projects, 33 (20%) had nexus components, most of them linked HA and DC, some additionally peacebuilding. HEKS/EPER developed its comprehensive Triple Nexus Guidance in 2021 and introduced and maintained coherent and consistent standards for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEAH) and functioning compliance.

1. Basic needs in crises are covered: Providing assistance after disasters due to natural hazards or in fragile and war-torn contexts – in the first stages of an emergency and in protracted crises.
2. Social, Political, Economic Discrimination is overcome: Ensuring equal rights, opportunities and active participation in society/markets for all by improving inter- & intra-group relations, economic inclusion and systemic access to services.
3. Land and Natural Resources are Sustainably Governed: Securing the rights of people and communities, supporting inclusive land governance models and sustainable land use practices with focus on a territorial approach.
4. Supportive policies and practices are implemented: Raising awareness for global challenges towards a transition to policies/practices that foster equitable, peaceful and resilient societies thanks to awareness-raising and policy dialogue.

1. HEKS/EPER strengthens civil society and country ownership in accordance with the provisions of the ‘OECD-DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society’ and the relevant ‘GPEDC principles’. 
2. Nexus concepts are further developed and incorporated into institutional activities. 

Fase 15 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)