Core Contribution to Helvetas, 2027-2028

In recent years, the international environment has undergone rapid normative and geopolitical shifts, while funding for international cooperation (IC) has increasingly been deprioritised. At the same time, IC is confronted with a growing number of overlapping crises, including wars in Ukraine and Sudan, protracted conflicts in the Middle East, the Sahel the DRC, Myanmar and Afghanistan, as well as rising food insecurity and the accelerating impacts of climate change. These crises disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and result in increasing humanitarian needs. Particular challenges include shrinking civic space, restricted humanitarian access, erosion of the rule of law, forced displacement and persistent gender enequalities. As a result of these changes and challenges, Swiss NGOs receiving core contributions organisations must continuously adapt while diversifying their funding sources and demonstrating their added value for Swiss IC.

Helvetas was hit by numerous cuts from various donors. This has led to the closure of the Sri Lanka country office and a number of projects, and to the reduction of staff and overhead costs. In the next strategic period, Helvetas will focus on supporting effective, multi-stakeholder partnerships while serving people locally, especially the most underserved and living in fragility.

Helvetas directly reached more than 8 million people through projects and programmes. More than 800,000 people gained access to basic drinking water services, 52% of whom are women. Over 58,000 people were supported in vocational training with a strong focus on dual VET, private sector engagement and system reform. More than 2 million people benefited from strengthened local governance, social cohesion and enhanced voice and agency.

Outcome 1: more than 3 million people (10% from Humanitarian Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WASH) have strengthened their capacities to improve climate resilient living conditions.

Outcome 2: Around 500'000 people, (incl. 51% women), have benefitted from access to quality education, skills development, jobs, or additional income.

Outcome 3: More than 2 million international migrants (incl. 45% women) and about 500'000 people were supported in their advocacy work to claim their rights to basic services and to transform local conflicts, Furthermore, more than 4'000 local authorities, civil society organisations and networks have been strengthened. These results have been achieved by promoting and respecting national ownership and localisation and forstering access to Swiss expertise.

Helvetas engaged in policy dialogue to promote Locally Led Cooperation (LLC), with focus on collaboration with SDC and Swiss peers. This included contributions to a joint OECD consultation and co-organisation of a Swiss dialogue on mandates and LLC for NGOs contributing directly to SDC's Position Paper on Partnership and LLC.

Regarding Gender and Social Equity (GSE), 48-50% of the primary stakeholders reached by Helvetas projects/programmes were women and girls, while 51-58% were disadvantaged persons. 8 country programmes had a GSE principled project.

About reforms, Helvetas invested in digital transformation and the roll out of Artificial Intelligence Projects to strengthen results-based management, data quality, and organisational learning while supporting the responsible adopation of digital tools and AI accross the organisation. Since 2025, Helvetas has UN-ECOSOC consultative status, giving direct access to relevant UN bodies and processes.

Outcome 1: People, including those left behind, are more water and food secure and on a pathway to climate and disaster resilience and sustainably managed natural resources and landscapes.

Outcome 2: People, including those left behind as well as micro, small and medium enterprises, benefit from better education and market systems contributing towards a greener economy and sustainable development.

Outcome 3: People, including those left behind and/or living in fragility, contribute to and benefit from more equitable, cohesive, inclusive and just societies.

The visibility of the value added by the Swiss NGs to the implementation of the Swiss IC Strategy 2025-28 shall be strengthened and highlighted through:

a) sharpening the narrative for the rationale of the core contribution;

b) an inclusive policy dialogue between SDC and the NGO;

c) implementation of locally-led cooperation;

d) relevant adaptations of programmes and approaches; and

e) evidence-based programming of quality funding.

Phase 28 01.01.2027 - 31.12.2028   (Active)