SDC

PARTNERSHIPSFOR THE FUTURE

The Swiss Agency for Development andCooperation (SDC) is part of the Swiss Ministry ofForeign Affairs.

© SDC, February 2003

Published by:Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC),Media and Communications, CH-3003 BerneProject managers: Harry Sivec, Catherine VuffrayDesign, editing and layout:Medianovis AG, Corporate Media Consulting, CH-8802 KilchbergCover photo: Tobias HauserPhotos: Panos Pictures – Tim Dirven (p. 5), Jeremy Horner (p. 9,16), Daniel O’Leary (p. 8), Chris Stowers (p.17), Andrew Testa (p. 4,15). Keystone – Yoshiko Kusano (p. 4,14),Denis Farrell (p. 6), Diana Cahn (p.12), Christine Nesbitt (p. 5), Murad Sezer (p. 7), Martin Rütschi (p.12), Len Sirman(p.16), Cam (p. 6). On Location – Laurent Giraudou (p. 8),Richard Manin (p.10)

ISBN 3-03798-031-1

This brochure is available in English, German, French,Italian and Spanish. Additional copies can be ordered from:info@deza.admin.ch or ++41 31 322 44 12

EDITORIAL/TABLE OF CONTENTS

Partnership-based develop-ment cooperation is aninvestment in the future

In our quadrilingual country, coop-eration based on partnership hasalways been vital. And just asSwitzerland practices this form ofcooperation in its own country, soit would like to do at the interna-tional level. Each year, our countryinvests some CHF 220 per head ofpopulation in development coop-eration and humanitarian aid.Much of this investment benefitsprojects coordinated by the SwissAgency for Development andCooperation (SDC). However, it isnot so much about making finan-cial resources available as transfer-ring knowledge. Development aidhas been replaced by cooperationwith equal partners because weare convinced that sustainabledevelopment can be successfulonly when founded on partnershipand mutual respect. That is whywe work with partners who takepersonal responsibility. We alsosupport the development of part-ner organisations which act ontheir own initiative in shaping thefuture of their countries. The SDCis a reliable partner, whose con-cern is to ensure continuity.

Walter Fust, Director-GeneralRemo Gautschi, Deputy Director-General

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Remo Gautschi (left) and Walter Fust

WHY DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIONAND HUMANITARIAN AID?

ORGANISATION

PRINCIPLES

COUNTRIES

PARTNERS

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PRIORITIES OF SDC ACTIVITY

HOW THE SDC OPERATES

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FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACTS18

FACTS AND FIGURES

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIONWHY DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

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One world – we are all in the same boat

Future generations,too, must have adequate resources.

Poverty, destruction of the environmentand migration are just a few of the mostpressing global problems of our time. Aquarter of the world’s population is livingon less than one euro a day. One in ninepeople suffers from chronic malnutrition.And, one in every four inhabitants of ourplanet drinks polluted water. Even a richindustrialised country like Switzerland isaffected by such harsh disparities becausewhere there are large poverty gaps andno prospects, there is a greater risk of con-flicts, and in a globalised world conflictsno longer remain within national borders.

Where people can look to the futurewith confidence, conflicts are rarer. That iswhy we must work with these people, sothat they can live in peace, freedom andsecurity. It is in our interests, too, that futuregenerations have sufficient resources fortheir development.

Switzerland is partof a global system.

AND HUMANITARIAN AID?

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Solidarity and our own interests

Switzerland is part of a global system. Thisis why our commitment is needed morethan ever – out of solidarity, but also in ourown interests. Switzerland has the resourc-es and, as a member of the UN, can liveup to its responsibility in a variety of ways. Poverty and need have many causes.These include structural weaknesses, as wellas natural disasters and wars. Internationalcooperation with partners in countries ofthe South and East creates the precondi-tions essential to sustainable, forward-look-ing development.

Emergency humanitarian aid, on theother hand, alleviates the severest need.Nevertheless, it should also lay the foun-dations on which people hit by disastercan rebuild their future.

Development cooperation is not a pan-acea. It cannot replace efforts by the part-ners themselves. Sometimes, projects fail.Sometimes, aid is ineffective. However,there is no alternative, because the manypositive results give hope. And hope givespeople a future.

Where there are largepoverty gaps, there is agreater risk of conflicts.

Examples of projects

Rural credit services in Bangladesh

Supporting savings and credit services for womenfrom ethnic minorities

Type: bilateralPartner: NGOTotal budget: CHF 3 million for four years(only SDC)Results: 44 000 families in northwest Bangladesh areusing the microfinancesystems

Disaster relief in Goma (Congo)

Emergency and rebuildingaid after the volcanic eruption

Type: humanitarian aid(emergency aid, rebuilding,coordination, prevention)Partners: ICRC, WFP, UN-OCHA and UNDAC (UnitedNations Disaster Assessmentand Coordination)SDC contribution:CHF 1.4 million (2002–2003) Results: basic supplies ofdrinking water and food,medical aid, accommodation,strengthening local structures

ORGANISATION

ORGANISATION AND PRINCIPLES

The Swiss Agency for Development andCooperation (SDC) is part of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs. Its role is that of a special-ised body, which implements internationaldevelopment cooperation programmes incoordination with other federal depart-ments. Its objective is to improve the livingconditions of the most disadvantagedgroups. To do this, it has an annual budgetof around CHF 1.3 billion. Its activities arebased on the Federal law of 19 March1976 on development cooperation and in-ternational humanitarian aid and theFederal decree of 24 March 1995 on co-operation with the states of Eastern Europe.

In total, around 500 people in Switzer-land and abroad work for the SDC, as wellas more than 600 local employees in SDCproject countries. Of the 700 active mem-bers of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit,around 100 specialists are on mission atany one time.

The SDC consists of four operationaldepartments: “Bilateral Development Co-operation”, “Cooperation with Eastern Eu-rope and CIS”, “Multilateral Cooperation”and “Humanitarian Aid”. In addition, thereare the departments “Thematic Resources”and “Corporate Services”.

Fighting poverty and conflict management

In terms of resources employed, develop-ment cooperation with the countries of theSouth is the most significant. Around 40percent of the budget is used for this pur-pose. Fighting poverty takes priority. Thatis why, above all, the SDC encourageseconomic independence, by helping toimprove production conditions and createjobs. It helps overcome environmental prob-lems and promotes better access to educa-tion and basic health care facilities.

In the countries of South-East Europeand the Commonwealth of IndependentStates (CIS), the SDC supports its partners

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Federal centre for international cooperation

Improving the livingconditions of the mostdisadvantaged.

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along the road to democracy and a mar-ket economy. The top priorities are conflictmanagement and strengthening societyand its institutions. In particular, major con-cerns are promoting small and medium-sized enterprises, improving infrastructureand supporting reconstruction measures inwar-torn regions.

Roughly one-third of the SDC budget isspent on multilateral cooperation within theframework of the United Nations Develop-ment Programme (UNDP), the UnitedNations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and theWorld Food Programme (WFP). Fifteen UNorganisations, the World Bank and theregional development banks are amongstthe multilateral cooperation partners.

The SDC’s humanitarian aid divisionuses almost a quarter of the funds. It movesin to help in the event of natural disasters,armed conflicts and social crises abroad.It saves lives and alleviates suffering, pro-vides people in need with emergency aidand helps them to rebuild. At its disposalin this task are qualified specialists in hu-

The SDC supports its partners along the road to democracy and a market economy.

manitarian missions working with theSwiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA). Disas-ter relief is in the media spotlight but alarge proportion of the funds are spent onwork behind the scenes, namely long-termrebuilding projects.

Examples of projects

Ombudsman in Peru

Promoting and protectinghuman rights in the ruralpopulation, monitoring thelawful behaviour of the publicauthorities, protecting thepopulation against arbitraryaction by the state, authoritiesand public services

Type: bilateralPartner: OmbudsmanTotal budget: USD 6.5 million annuallySDC contribution: USD 1.9 million (1998–2005),USD 0.7 million (1998–2002)Results: around 50 000interventions annually

“Cash-for-ShelterProgramme” in Serbia

Financial support for hostfamilies to take in internally-displaced people

Type: humanitarian aidPartners: Federal Office for Refugees, Principality ofLiechtenstein Total budget:CHF 7.8 million (1999–2001) SDC contribution:CHF 3.9 million (1999–2001) Results: more than 11000host families have receivedsupport to take in 52 000displaced persons. The areasof health care, education and culture have also beenstrengthened

PRINCIPLES

ORGANISATION AND PRINCIPLES

Development also means unlocking peo-ples’ creative potential. This can be doneonly through cooperation based on part-nerships. The SDC strives to make its part-ners more independent, so that they canmake progress in the development of theircountry, through their own initiative. Thekey to this is technical competence andworking structures within the partner organ-isations. Transparency and open commu-nications form the bases of a partnershipand are also guiding principles for theSDC.

To have maximum effect, we must poolresources and establish a longer-term pres-ence in the field. That is why the SDC con-centrates its activities on selected geogra-phical and thematic priorities. In particu-lar, it supports countries in which the govern-ment and other social institutions are makingspecific efforts to promote development.

Pooling the strengths of individual priorities

Creative potential can be unlocked onlythrough cooperation.

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The SDC especially supports countriesmaking specific efforts at their own initiative.

Criteria for involvement

The choice of partner countries is geared –except for humanitarian aid – towards cer-tain criteria. In particular, the following aretaken into account: need (mass poverty,precarious subsistence living, crisis-prone),the basic conditions (will to develop, ruleof law, good governance), the point ofdeparture for the SDC (effective partners inthe country, thematic competence) and thepolitical interests of Switzerland (involve-ment in international peace programmes,measures to prevent migration).

Humanitarian aid is not limited by ei-ther geographical borders or specific crite-ria. It is provided wherever there is a realneed.

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Only the pooling of resources and a longer-term presence in the fieldbring lasting change.

Examples of projects

Global KnowledgePartnership

Network for knowledge, information/communicationstechnologies for development:“ICT for Development”(ICT4D)

Type: multilateralSet up: 1997Partner: Global KnowledgePartnershipDirector: SDC Director-General Walter FustResults: promotion of ICT4Dand its efficient use to benefitdisadvantaged groups

Regional water andsewage coordinationnetwork in CentralAmerica

Training and exchange ofknow-how and technologiesin the field of water andsewage, hygiene education

Type: bilateralPartners: governments of four countries, UNICEF,CARE, and others.Total budget:CHF 1.7 million (2001–2003) SDC contribution:CHF 560 000 (2001–2003) Results: coordination of activities between Nicaragua,Honduras, El Salvador andGuatemala

COUNTRIES

SDC AROUND THE WORLD

The SDC is involved in some 1000 projects around the globe, cooperatingparticularly closely with 21 countries in the South and 11 countries and regionsin the East. These are Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Madagascar,Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Chad, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru,Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, WestBank/Gaza, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Russian Federation,Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Romania, Ukraine,Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. There are also geo-graphical priorities for humanitarian aid, such asAngola and Afghanistan.

The SDC directs its activities in thefield from 32 offices, which repre-sent all of Switzerland’s inter-national cooperation activi-ties. In countries wherethere is no Swiss embas-sy, such as Benin,Mali and Kyrgyzstan,they also performconsular tasks.

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Strong presence in the field

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■ Priority countries■ Special programmes

Examples of projects

UNAIDS – worldwidecampaign againstHIV/AIDS

Type: multilateral Since1996 Partner: UNAIDSTotal budget: USD 70 million annuallySDC contribution: CHF 4 million (2002)Results: spreading know-ledge of prevention and reducing rates of infection in many countries

Swiss-South AfricanCooperation Initiative

Improving employment oppor-tunities for young people inSouth Africa through trainingprojects

Type: public-private partner-ship with Swiss companiesPartners: 10 Swiss companiesTotal budget:CHF 10 million (2001–2006) SDC contribution: CHF 5 million (2001–2006) Results: 185 young people trained inthe first 18 months; 110 havealready found jobs and eighthave formed their own smallcompanies

To complete its tasks, the SDC works with specialised organisations and insti-tutions around the world. It has project partners in the respective countries ofthe South and East, as well as partners in the North involved in development,cooperation and humanitarian aid. The number of cooperative partnershipsand alliances entered into by the SDC to carry out its tasks is almost impos-sible to quantify. These include government bodies in the partner countriessuch as authorities and ministries, non-governmental organisa-tions (NGOs), international multilateral partners suchas UN organisations and the World Bank, Swissand foreign private aid groups, state-rundevelopment organisations of otherindustrialised countries, researchinstitutes in Switzerland andabroad, private industryand other federal offices.

PARTNERS

SDC AROUND THE WORLD

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ADDC - Wadata - Association de Dteurs, Niamey, Niger, Agence Béninoise de l'En

la redynamisation de l'élevage au Niger (AREN), NiameyAbidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Center for Nuclear Safety (CENS), Bratislav

Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador, Commission Nationale pour la DécentLima, Peru, European Children's Trust, Chisinau, Moldavia, Food and Agric

Partnership, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Helvetas, Zürich, Schweiz, Instituto EcuatorianoAhmedabad, India, Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal, Managua, Nicaragua, Ministry

of North Ossetia-Alania, Municipality of Dong Hoi, Vietnam, Programa Manejo Integral deRepublic, UNAIDS, Genève, Suisse, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nati

Washington D.C, USA, World Food Programm (WFP), World Health Organisation, ADDC - Wadal'Environnement, Cotonou, Bénin, Association pour la redynamisation de l'élevage au Niger (AREN),

Nuclear Safety (CENS), Bratislava, Slovakia, Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo, ABurkina, Faso, Defensoría del Pueblo, Lima, Peru, European Children's Trust, Chisinau, Moldavia, Food a

Lumpur, Malaysia, Helvetas, Zürich, Schweiz, Instituto Ecuatoriano de Cooperación Internacional (INECI), QuNicaragua, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania, Ministry of Health, Republic

MIC), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Rural Advisory Development Service, Kyrgyz Republic, UNAIDS, Genève, SuissPopulation Fund (UNFPA), World Bank, Washington D.C, USA, World Food Programm (WFP), World Health O

Béninoise de l'Environnement, Cotonou, Bénin, Association pour la redynamisation de l'élevage au Niger (ARENSafety (CENS), Bratislava, Slovakia, Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo, Antiguo Cuscatlán, EPueblo, Lima, Peru, European Children's Trust, Chisinau, Moldavia, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UnInstituto Ecuatoriano de Cooperación Internacional (INECI), Quito, Ecuador, Janpath Citizen's Initiative, AhmedabDar es Salaam,Tanzania, Ministry of Health, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Municipality of Dong Hoi, VietnamKyrgyz Republic, UNAIDS, Genève, Suisse, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations DevelopFood Programm (WFP), World Health Organisation, ADDC - Wadata - Association de Défense de Droits des redynamisation de l'élevage au Niger (AREN), Niamey, Niger, Banque africaine pour le développement (BADde Ambiente y Desarrollo, Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador, Commission Nationale pour la Décentralisation (C

Moldavia, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Global Knowledge Internacional (INECI), Quito, Ecuador, Janpath Citizen's Initiative, Ahmedabad, India, Ministerio A

Salaam,Tanzania, Ministry of Health, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Municipality of Dong Hoi, Development Service, Kyrgyz Republic, UNAIDS, Genève, Suisse, United Nations Children's Fund (

World Bank, Washington D.C, USA, World Food Programm (WFP), World Health Organisation, ABéninoise de l'Environnement, Cotonou, Bénin, Association pour la redynamisation de l'élevag

Côte d'Ivoire, Center for Nuclear Safety (CENS), Bratislava, Slovakia, Comisión Centroamepour la Décentralisation (CND), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Defensoría del Pueblo

Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Global Knowledge PartnershiCooperación Internacional (INECI), Quito, Ecuador, Janpath Citizen's Initi

Nicaragua, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dar es SalaaMunicipality of Dong Hoi, Vietnam, Programa Manejo Inte

Advisory Development Service, Kyrgyz Republic, UFund (UNICEF), United Nations Develop

Population Fund (UN

The partner network

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Défense de Droits des Consomma-nvironnement, Cotonou, Bénin, Association poury, Niger, Banque africaine pour le développement (BAD),va, Slovakia, Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente Desarrollo,ralisation (CND), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Defensoría del Pueblo,ulture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Global Knowledgeo de Cooperación Internacional (INECI), Quito, Ecuador, Janpath Citizen's Initiative,of Agriculture and Food Security, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania, Ministry of Health, Republic

e Cuencas (PROMIC), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Rural Advisory Development Service, Kyrgyzons Development Program (UNDP), Unites Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Bank,ata - Association de Défense de Droits des Consommateurs, Niamey, Niger, Agence Béninoise de, Niamey, Niger, Banque africaine pour le développement (BAD), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Center forntiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador, Commission Nationale pour la Décentralisation (CND), Ouagadougou,and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Global Knowledge Partnership, Kualauito, Ecuador, Janpath Citizen's Initiative, Ahmedabad, India, Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal, Managua,c of North Ossetia-Alania, Municipality of Dong Hoi, Vietnam, Programa Manejo Integral de Cuencas (PRO-se, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Unites Nations

Organisation, ADDC - Wadata - Association de Défense de Droits des Consommateurs, Niamey, Niger, AgenceN), Niamey, Niger, Banque africaine pour le développement (BAD), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Center for Nuclearl Salvador, Commission Nationale pour la Décentralisation (CND), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Defensoría delnited Nations (FAO), Rome, Global Knowledge Partnership, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Helvetas, Zürich, Schweiz,bad, India, Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal, Managua, Nicaragua, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,

m, Programa Manejo Integral de Cuencas (PROMIC), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Rural Advisory Development Service,pment Program (UNDP), Unites Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Bank, Washington D.C, USA, WorldConsommateurs, Niamey, Niger, Agence Béninoise de l'Environnement, Cotonou, Bénin, Association pour la

D), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Center for Nuclear Safety (CENS), Bratislava, Slovakia, Comisión CentroamericanaCND), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Defensoría del Pueblo, Lima, Peru, European Children's Trust, Chisinau,Partnership, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Helvetas, Zürich, Schweiz, Instituto Ecuatoriano de Cooperación

Agropecuario y Forestal, Managua, Nicaragua, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dar esVietnam, Programa Manejo Integral de Cuencas (PROMIC), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Rural Advisory

(UNICEF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Unites Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),ADDC - Wadata - Association de Défense de Droits des Consommateurs, Niamey, Niger, Agencee au Niger (AREN), Niamey, Niger, Banque africaine pour le développement (BAD), Abidjan,ericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo, Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador, Commission Nationaleo, Lima, Peru, European Children's Trust, Chisinau, Moldavia, Food and Agricultureip, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Helvetas, Zürich, Schweiz, Instituto Ecuatoriano deiative, Ahmedabad, India, Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal, Managua,am,Tanzania, Ministry of Health, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania,egral de Cuencas (PROMIC), Cochabamba, Bolivia, RuralNAIDS, Genève, Suisse, United Nations Children'spment Program (UNDP), Unites NationsNFPA), World Bank,

Examples of projects

Environmentally friendlytechnologies in India

Demonstration facility forsmall foundries, which reduc-es emissions of harmful substances by up to 65%

Type: bilateralPartner: NGO (Tara EnergyResearch Institute) Total budget: CHF 2.1 million (1994–2004) SDC contribution:CHF1.69 million (1994–2004) Results: “EnvironmentalExcellence Award 2000-2001”

UNRWA – Support forPalestinian refugees

The UN aid organisationUNRWA is the most importantmultilateral organisation work-ing on behalf of Palestinianrefugees in the Middle East

Type: humanitarian, multilateralPartners: UNRWA andPalestinian authoritiesTotal budget: USD 300 million (annual basic budget)SDC contribution: CHF 11 million (2002, gen-eral humanitarian programmefor Palestinian refugees)Results: improvement in theprecarious living conditions ofrefugees (including the areasof health care, social welfareand education)

FIELDS OF WORKPRIORITIES OF SDC ACTIVITY

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Empowerment, not charity

The work of the SDC is geared towardsencouraging partner countries to take theinitiative because in the long term, helpingpeople to help themselves is the only effec-tive method. Only through empowermentand by taking independent action candisadvantages be combated. To organisethis support efficiently, the SDC has the fol-lowing five priorities:

Conflict prevention and management

Often, regional conflicts are a cause of pov-erty and underdevelopment. Developmentcooperation and humanitarian aid supportpeople in preventing crises, while also help-ing with reconstruction and the reintegra-tion of victims of war.

Good governance

Good governance is a prerequisite for sus-tainable development. That is why the SDCis involved in projects in the areas ofdemocratisation, rule of law, decentralisa-tion, human rights, fiscal policy and pressfreedom.

Encouraging independent initiativehas priority.

The SDC concentrateson five priorities.

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Social development

Poverty and social injustice usually gohand in hand. That is why empowermentmeasures have high priority for the SDC:strengthening the self-awareness of thepoor. The aim is to support people inrecognising their rights and unlocking theirpotential. This includes access to socialservices in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, municipal hygiene, landreform, equal opportunities for women andmen and the strengthening of cultural iden-tity.

Work and income

Insufficient basic conditions and economicstructures prevent adequate levels ofemployment in many countries. That is whythe SDC encourages the development ofsmall and medium-sized enterprises, agri-cultural production and marketing, voca-tional training and the creation and expan-sion of infrastructure.

Environment

The protection and appropriate use ofnatural resources are a prerequisite forimproving living conditions. They ensurethe production basis for the future. That iswhy the SDC focuses so closely on protect-ing biodiversity, soil and water and com-bating desertification.

Examples of projects

Advising farmers in Kyrgyzstan

Setting up an agricultural consulting service

Type: bilateralPartners: Ministry ofAgriculture and WaterResources, Kyrgyzstan,Helvetas, World Bank, IFADTotal budget: USD 7.6 million (2002–2004) SDC contribution:CHF 6.7 million (2002–2004)Objective: creation of anational, self-administeredconsulting service for farmers

Hospitals/Ambulances in Romania

Modernisation of emergencymedical facilities and rescueservices in Romania

Type: bilateral Partner: Romanian ministry for healthTotal budget: CHF 0.9 million (2002–2004) SDC contribution: CHF 0.9 million (2002–2004)Results: extending efficientemergency medical servicesto the entire country

Helping people recognisetheir rights and unlocktheir potential.

FROM IDEA TO EVALUATIONHOW THE SDC OPERATES

Cost consciousness, efficiency and quality

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Usually, the impetus for bilateral develop-ment projects for the most part comesdirectly from the partners in the respectivecountries or from the SDC cooperation offi-ces in the field. Once Head Office in Bernehas reviewed and approved the projectoutline, the local cooperation office takesover the operational planning and imple-mentation of the project. The Head Officeretains responsibility for country strategy.The SDC can also pass on projects to aidorganisations or specialised companies. Asa rule, this involves inviting tenders for theproject.

Each project is split into phases withspecific goals and accompanied by pro-gress checks (monitoring). Comprehensiveevaluations are carried out to test the effec-tiveness of the campaigns.

Within the framework of multilateralcooperation, the international partner or-ganisations are responsible for carrying

out the projects. Switzerland brings itsinfluence to bear through its presence inthe supervisory bodies or through activeparticipation.

In the event of natural disasters andwars, swift and unbureaucratic action mustbe taken. That is why the Delegate forHumanitarian Aid has the competency todecide whether and when the Rescue Chainand the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA)will be deployed. Humanitarian Aid alsoregularly reviews its missions and, if neces-sary, adapts them.

Each project is split intophases with specificgoals and accompaniedby progress checks.

Increasing knowledge – andusing it productively

Knowledge is capital. This capital is passedon in workshops and training courses bothwithin the SDC, and between the partnerorganisations. However, know-how is alsoput to good use through staff rotation.Every three to five years, employees whodeal with operational tasks switch jobs.The SDC also regularly taps into externalknowledge resources, frequently bringingin external experts at the project designand realisation stages, as well as when eva-luating projects.

Rigorous checks of SDC work

The most senior supervisory body isParliament, which also decides the SDC’sbudget. The non-parliamentary “AdvisoryCommittee for International Cooperation”meets four to six times a year and advisesthe Swiss Federal Council (Swiss govern-ment) and the SDC on their developmentpolicy plans. The SDC has an efficient inter-nal audit system, which regulates tasks,

competencies and responsibilities at HeadOffice and at the cooperation offices. Theappropriateness and comprehensivenessof these tasks, competencies and responsi-bilities are regularly reviewed. Besides this,every three to four years, the membercountries of the Organisation for EconomicCooperation and Development (OECD)conduct a mutual review of developmentcooperation. This review takes place withinthe framework of the “Peer Reviews” andis carried out by different member coun-tries each time. The development commit-tee of the OECD secretariat is responsiblefor carrying out the review.

Examples of projects

Aid after floods in Europe and Asia

Major campaign decided bythe Swiss Federal Council withspecial credit

Type: bilateral und multilateralPartners: international organ-isations and authorities, Swissfederal offices Total budget: CHF 50 million (2002–2003) SDC contribution: coordination and implementa-tion (2002–2003) Results: emergency aid, rebuilding, prevention, protectionof cultural assets and support forfamilies affected by the floods in13 countries

Safety of nuclear energyinstallations in EasternEurope

The Centre for Nuclear Safetyin Central and Eastern Europe(CENS) in Bratislava is the hubof a network of nuclear in-spection authorities in EasternEurope for training purposes

Type: bilateral, developinginto multilateralPartners: regulatory authorities for nuclear energyin Eastern Europe and CIS Total budget:CHF 2.5 million (2002–2006) SDC contribution: CHF 1.2 million (2002–2006) Results: nuclear energy autho-rities in Eastern Europe and CISare competent to performtheir tasks

The OECD countriesmutually review develop-ment cooperation.

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FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACTS

SDC

Contacts for further information:

SDC/DFAEFreiburgstrasse 130CH-3003 Berne++41 31 322 34 75++41 31 324 13 48info@deza.admin.chwww.sdc.admin.ch

Development Cooperation with the South:++41 31 322 51 91

Cooperation with Eastern Europe and CIS: ++41 31 322 44 13

Multilateral Cooperation:++41 31 322 36 66

Thematic Resources: ++41 31 322 33 32

Humanitarian Aid:++41 31 322 31 24

Human Resources: ++41 31 322 34 93

Media and Communications: ++41 31 322 44 12

On our Internet site at http://www.sdc.admin.chyou will find a wide selection of information, services, facts and figures on the SDC and onSwiss development cooperation, in particular:

– Latest news, news releases– Organisation of the SDC– Projects and project countries – Development policy– Facts and figures on Swiss

official development assistance – Vacancies at the SDC– Project tenders– Documents to download– Order forms for SDC publications

and studies– Addresses and contacts

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SDCFACTS AND FIGURES (as of 2003)

Address

SDC/DFAEFreiburgstrasse 130CH-3003 Berne++41 31 322 34 75++41 31 324 13 48info@deza.admin.chwww.sdc.admin.ch

Organisation

Board of Directors:Walter Fust (Director-General)Remo Gautschi (Deputy Director-General)

Bilateral Development Cooperation:Adrian Schläpfer (Assistant Director-General)

Development Policy and Multilateral Cooperation:Serge Chappatte (Assistant Director-General)

Cooperation with Eastern Europe and CIS:Theresia Adam (Assistant Director-General)

Humanitarian Aid:Toni Frisch (Delegate for Humanitarian Aidand Head SHA)

Thematic Resources:Dora Rapold (Assistant Director-General)

Corporate Services:Fulvio Massard (Member of the Board of Directors)

Media and Communications:Harry Sivec (Member of the Board of Directors)

Human Resources:Sybille Suter Tejada (Member of the Board of Directors)

Numbers

Budget (in mil. CHF)SDC 1244– Development cooperation 869– Humanitarian aid 273– Cooperation with Eastern Europe 102

Employees at Head Office, Berne 350Field staff 150Local employees in partner countries 600SHA members on stand-by 700

Partner countries with a local SDC office 32Priority countries 28Special programmes 4Ongoing projects approx.1000Humanitarian missions approx. 360

Distribution of budget according to region(without multilateral cooperation and cross-regional projects)

Africa 32%

LatinAmerica 13%

Asia 32%

Eastern Europeand CIS 23%

Division Media +

Communications

Evaluation +Controlling

DivisionHuman Resources

DepartmentDevelopment policy +

MultilateralCooperation

DepartmentBilateral

DevelopmentCooperation

DepartmentHumanitarian Aid

DepartmentCooperation

with Eastern Europeand CIS

DepartmentThematic Resources

DepartmentCorporate Services

DivisionDevelopment

Policy

DivisionMultilateral

Affairs

DivisionBretton Woods

Institutions

Information +Documentation

Service

StatisticsService

DivisionICT4D Informationand Communica-tion Technologiesfor Development

DivisionAsia I

DivisionAsia II

DivisionMiddle East +North Africa

Courses+GrantsService

Division NGO

DivisionWest Africa

Division Eastern +

Southern Africa

DivisionLatin America

Financialmanagement

Service

DivisionMultilateral +Special tasks

DivisionEurope + CIS

DivisionAsia + America

DivisionAfrica

DivisionOperational logistics +Transport

Division SHA HumanResources

SwissHumanitarian Aid

Unit – SHA

Division Special + Regional

Programmes

Division South Eastern

Europe

Division CIS

DivisionConflict Prevention+ Transformation

Division Good Governance

Division Social Development

DivisionEmployment +

Income

DivisionNatural Resources

+ Environment

Knowledge andResearch Service

Financial Planning+ Operational

Controlling

Division Legal Affairs

Division Logistics

Division Finances +Accounting

Division Mandates,Tariffs,Travels, Expenses

SAP-SupportService

InfoRecService

TranslationService

Security Adviser

Inspectorate

Secretariat

Director-GeneralDeputy Director-General