Poverty reduction through conflict and disaster prevention

Two children on a cotton transport truck
Cotton production is an important sector of Kyrgyzstan’s economy and one of its key value chains. © SDC

Conflict, violence and human rights violations: these are among the main challenges to combating poverty and fragility in the wider sense. The fragility of a state is characterised by the government’s inability to ensure the security of the population and provide basic public services, alongside its failure to establish mutually constructive relations with the country’s citizens.

More than 40 countries around the globe, home to some 1.5 billion people, are affected by fragile situations or exposed to violence or conflict. By 2030, more than 80% of the world’s poorest could be living in fragile contexts unless more concerted action is taken now.

Fragility poses a major threat to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing fragility will require greater acceptance of all its nuances by tailoring differentiated approaches to specific contexts and working across the full spectrum of issues, some of which are inherently difficult and sensitive.

Engagement in fragile contexts

Switzerland is stepping up its efforts to prevent and manage the consequences of crises, disasters and fragility. It intends to allocate 50% of its bilateral aid to conflict-affected or fragile contexts.

The SDC’s action in fragile contexts

Switzerland is committed to promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It works directly to ensure that no one is left behind.

Characteristics of fragile contexts

Fragile states and regions are characterised by weak institutions, high rates of poverty, violence, corruption and general arbitrariness. Fragility manifests itself in both development and transition contexts as well as humanitarian crises.

Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies

Focus on SDG 16+ to promote peaceful, equitable and inclusive societies for a sustainable development and to combat conflict.

Preventing conflict and all forms of violence

In preventing violent conflict, the aim is to stop previous conflicts from flaring up again and new conflicts from forming. The task is not simply to prevent crises but also to address the root causes.

Documents

Current projects

Object 1 – 12 of 363

E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP), Phase 3

01.10.2024 - 30.09.2028

Digital transformation of Ukraine’s public administration significantly contributed to its resilience in the critical war conditions. Switzerland will consolidate its support to Ukraine in promoting innovative digital tools as amplifiers of democratic reforms in socially important sectors, catalysts of sustainable recovery and effective service provision to citizens and the private sector.


Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine 2 (PFRU-2)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2027

The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) unites eight development partners (UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia and the Netherlands) and the Government of Ukraine to strengthen communities and government legitimacy through improved services, economic recovery and strengthened civil society. With its contribution, Switzerland can shape the development and deployment of an innovative multi-donor financing instrument in Ukraine to support its resilience and early recovery.


Participation citoyenne et prévention des conflits au Burundi (PCPC)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2026

Au Burundi, le système politique ne permet pas un espace suffisant pour la participation citoyenne inclusive, la redevabilité et le respect des droits humains, ce qui rend difficile la prévention et la gestion des conflits. Par cette intervention la Suisse contribue à l’instauration progressive de pratiques démocratiques promouvant un environnement favorable à la participation citoyenne et l’opérationnalisation des mécanismes de gestion des conflits au niveau communautaire, ce qui a un impact positif sur la consolidation/capitalisation de la paix et la cohésion sociale.


Programme de Participation citoyenne et Prévention des conflits (PCPC)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2026

L’Est de la RDC est confronté, depuis plus de deux décennies, à une situation d’insécurité avec une dégradation des droits de l’homme, de la cohésion sociale et de la situation humanitaire. Par ce programme, la Suisse entend contribuer à la promotion de la paix et le respect des droits humains en renforçant les capacités institutionnelles des entités territoriales décentralisées (ETD) et des structures locales de règlement des conflits et en favorisant la collaboration entre les institutions étatiques locales et les acteurs clés de la société civile.


Ukraine, Global Clearance Solutions GCS mechanical demining assets, training and mentoring for State Emergency Services Ukraine SESU

01.08.2024 - 31.07.2027

This project with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) and Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) seeks to strengthen the mechanical demining capacities and capabilities of SESU to enable them to carry out qualitative humanitarian demining. These needs shall be met by delivering a comprehensive package consisting of the donation of three mechanical demining machines GCS-200 and the delivery of expansive training, mentoring and logistics services.


Social Cohesion and Peace Initiative, Phase 1

15.07.2024 - 31.12.2025

Social cohesion in Moldova is weak, with low levels of intergroup contact and civic engagement. Divisions run largely along political lines and have deepened since the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Fostering constructive dialogue is essential for building social cohesion and resilience. The project aims at creating opportunities for young and elderly people to become more active in community processes, while addressing dividing lines within the Moldovan society and paving the way for inclusive nation-building and sustainable peace.


Single-phase project: Enhancing Peace and Economic Prosperity through Women's Leadership and Inclusion (Women for Peace & Prosperity)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

In line with the priorities of the Governments of Moldova and Switzerland, the project aims to socially and economically empower women, including refugee women from Ukraine, increase their participation in decision-making and the workforce, promote their entrepreneurial activities, and finally contribute to a just, equal, inclusive and resilient society and economy in Moldova. The project will promote gender-responsive policies and initiatives to address key barriers to women's socio-economic inclusion.


Projet Réponse d’urgence à base communautaire à la menace des engins explosifs dans les régions de Mopti et Tombouctou (PRUCEE-MT)

01.07.2024 - 31.08.2025

Avec le retrait de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies (MINUSMA) pour la stabilisation au Mali et de l’agence de la lutte antimines (UNMAS), les populations de Mopti et Tombouctou sont sans protection contre les engins explosifs. La Suisse renforce ainsi son engagement humanitaire, en partenariat avec d’autres bailleurs internationaux, pour combler ce vide. Elle offre une réponse d’urgence à base communautaire pour protéger les populations civiles et gérer les victimes.


Community-Based Social Cohesion Rakhine (CBSC)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2026

In the fragile and conflict-affected context of Rakhine State, Switzerland aims to prevent violence and improve intercommunal relations between the Rohingya, Rakhine and other minority ethnic groups. It will achieve this by strengthening intercommunal institutions and facilitating community-based reconciliation and dialogue efforts in Rakhine State through community networks, civil society organization (CSOs) and local leaders.


Soutien au programme d’INSO au Tchad

01.06.2024 - 31.05.2026

L’environnement opérationnel étant de plus en plus complexe pour les ONG humanitaires et de développement au Tchad pour des raisons sécuritaires, la DDC soutient l'ouverture d'un bureau d'International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) afin de fournir une gamme de services essentiels sur les aspects sécuritaires et d’accès, aux ONG internationales et nationales, leur permettant de remplir leurs mandats auprès des populations de l’Est, du Bassin du Lac Tchad et du Sud.


Citizen Participation and Conflict Prevention programme (PCPC)

01.05.2024 - 31.12.2029

Rwanda has achieved notable progress with regard to socioeconomic development and improved social cohesion. However, the role of citizens in decision-making and in holding leaders to account remains insufficient affecting the sustainability of results. This programme will increase the capability of the 30 districts in Rwanda to properly engage citizens in decision-making processes and will strengthen local conflict-resolution mechanisms, hence contributing to improved accountability and lasting social cohesion.


Sudan, Saferworld, Conflict Sensitivity Facility (CSF), Protection

01.04.2024 - 31.03.2028

The Conflict Sensitivity Facility (CSF) is a project implemented by Saferworld, that seeks to support the integration of conflict sensitivity into the strategies, policies, practices and programmes of aid actors in Sudan, and to ensure that interventions do not aggravate conflict but instead contribute to peace. CSF provides analysis, convenes discussions, shares learning and supports capacity development focused on priority areas for the aid sector.

Object 1 – 12 of 363