South Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia
Unresolved conflicts and tensions are hampering security and development in the South Caucasus. Switzerland’s 2022-2025 cooperation programme for the region focuses on inclusive economic development, and strengthening democratic institutions as well as people’s resilience to the effects of climate change.
Context South Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia
Swiss international cooperation activities in the region date back to the mobilisation of emergency aid after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Switzerland has been recognised as a trusted partner since then, a reputation reinforced by its protecting power mandates for Georgia and Russia as well as its cooperation with Azerbaijan within the Bretton Woods institutions and Global Environment Facility (GEF) voting groups. Switzerland’s regional approach means that it can support initiatives in both Armenia and Georgia aimed at ensuring sustainable socio-economic development in the countries’ peripheral regions, preventing disaster risks and strengthening people’s resilience to climate change.
Decent work and economic development
Switzerland is active in supporting the creation of framework conditions favourable to inclusive economic development as well as the creation of decent and stable jobs in the agricultural and tourism sectors. Its first-rate research institutions, particularly in the environmental sciences, also have considerable expertise that can be put to good use in the region. In line with its other core competencies, Switzerland is also committed to vocational education and training in the South Caucasus.
Democracy and public institutions
Switzerland supports the strengthening of democratic institutions at local and national level, in particular by promoting inclusive participation. It also actively contributes to conflict prevention and resolution processes by promoting dialogue between all the parties involved.
Climate change resilience
Switzerland is helping with disaster risk reduction in this mountainous region as well as building capacity for climate change adaptation, with a particular focus on people living in rural areas.
Approach and main partners
International cooperation and peacebuilding activities in the South Caucasus are carried out jointly by the SDC, the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Switzerland’s main partners in the South Caucasus are:
- Bilateral development partners: the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA);
- Local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
- Multilateral organisations: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Bretton Woods institutions and the GEF;
- Civil society organisations;
- Private sector.
Stories
Swiss Dual Education Takes Root in Georgia’s Countryside
With support from the SDC, Georgia is modernising its agricultural vocational training. One of the beneficiaries is Nino, a graduate of the Swiss agricultural school.
Armenia: The SDC and the World Food Programme support refugees
The conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is forcing many people to flee their homes. Switzerland is supporting the people in need.
How Switzerland helps Georgian farmers increase exports of organic hazelnuts
The SDC has launched a partnership with the Swiss firm Pakka AG to enable Georgian farmers to increase productivity from organic hazelnut production.
Offsets for mitigating climate change: opportunity or myth?
The Swiss Confederation and many Swiss companies have plans to offset their greenhouse gas emissions in partner countries. Development projects can help to achieve this, but following disclosures that emissions certificates sometimes inflate the claimed reductions, there has been growing scepticism about this mechanism.
Sandro's dream to have his own cheese dairy
Students from Georgia visit Plantahof in the canton of Graubünden. The lesson plan includes animal husbandry, agriculture and cheesemaking.
Contact
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3003 Bern