Press releasesPublished on 15 October 2025

Development cooperation protecting people: IC and Switzerland's security

Geneva Peace Week 2025 is exploring what security means today. International cooperation work is low key but impactful, reducing risks, building resilience and supporting reliable institutions. Its impact on people's everyday lives can be seen from the work undertaken in former FARC-controlled territory in Colombia, women's groups in Mali and transboundary water management in Central Asia (Blue Peace).

Hot work: Leav Path clears between 1 and 40 square metres of land of mines every day. — © DEZA

Security increases as risk decreases

Security is a feature of people's day-to-day lives. People are living in a safe and secure environment when, for example, children can go to school, when a village's clean water supply is restored after a storm, when people can rely on public services, and communities resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. And this is precisely where international cooperation comes in: it increases security, including Switzerland's security, by reducing risk, helping to build resilience and improving governance. Swiss foreign policy has, for many years, articulated this broad-based understanding of security, recognising that development, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding are interrelated and can reduce vulnerabilities in an interconnected world.

Preventive action does not solve everything per se. Progress is achieved through consistent actions: building local organisations, facilitating access to justice, strengthening local authorities and creating economic opportunities. The SDC combines humanitarian aid, development cooperation and approaches to peacebuilding, always maintaining a practical focus and paying attention to local needs. This creates scope for delivering on public services, dialogue, income generation and protection. Improving these basic conditions reduces the risk of crises escalating.

If we take a look at Colombia, we can see how this all works in practice. In areas that have been severely affected by conflict in the past, Switzerland is working with the Colombian government, the UN and other donors to support projects focused on integrating the 2016 peace agreement into people's day-to-day lives. These include reintegrating former combatants, strengthening local institutions and promoting rural development and social infrastructure, while ensuring that procedures are transparent and communities are involved. Real challenges remain: a weak state presence, bureaucratic hurdles, land and environmental issues, and security risks to local officials. Cooperation work can establish the conditions for communities to become more stable so that there are fewer sources of conflict.

• Project 1: Colombia – keeping the peace in former conflict zones

  Why is this work relevant to security?

  Because security increases with fully functioning communities. Employment, responsive public authorities and peaceful conflict resolution undermine the rationale for armed conflict. The fund, which is supported jointly by the Colombian government, the UN and other donors, is creating precisely these conditions in regions that were particularly affected by the conflict.

  What specific action is the SDC taking?

  It is involved in a joint funding mechanism to support local projects which facilitate the reintegration of former combatants, promote the creation of value in rural areas, and strengthen local authorities and citizen participation. The intention is to achieve visible improvements in people's day-to-day lives (e.g. earnings, infrastructure, mine clearance), in addition to promoting rights and supporting institutions over the long term.

  Outcomes (how is impact measured?)

  • Since 2016, around 600,000 families in 170 communities across the country have been reached.
  • Reintegration: housing and income opportunities, especially for women, have been created on the ground.
  • Security in people's day-to-day lives: humanitarian mine action and basic services have reduced direct risks.
  • Governance: citizen participation and local institutions have been strengthened.

Now let's move on to Mali. Women from all over Mali have joined Circles of Peace – protected spaces where they can share experiences, help resolve conflicts peacefully and try new roles. Since 2015, over 200 Circles of Peace have been held, allowing over 3,000 women to gain knowledge, build self-confidence and have a say. The women have raised their concerns within local and national processes, supported victims of violence and acted as bridge-builders within their communities. This has increased social cohesion and improved resistance to crises.

• Project 2: Mali – Circles of Peace promoting resilience

  Why is this work relevant to security?

  Because if people feel that they belong, that they are protected and have a say, this averts violence. In women's groups, women can build confidence, gain knowledge and network. They can raise their concerns with the authorities and help build social cohesion in tense situations.

  What specific action is the SDC taking?

  The SDC is supporting a programme to bring women together from across Mali. In protected spaces, women can share experiences, learn to resolve conflicts peacefully and undertake specific initiatives, ranging from engaging in local dialogue to supporting victims of violence. The programme is based on UN Resolution 1325 and Mali's national action plan. It bolsters protection and promotes participation and the right of women to live in peace and security.

  Outcomes (how is impact measured?)

  • Since 2015, over 200 Circles of Peace have given over 3,000 women responsibility and a voice.
  • Participation and influence: women have raised their concerns within local and national processes.
  • Protection and support: help with gender-based violence, overcoming trauma and prevention.
  • Expansion: formats have been transferred to other locations and communities.

Water is a security issue in many regions of the world. When river volume decreases and demand increases, this increases tensions between upstream and downstream countries and between farmers, households and energy producers. This is where Blue Peace comes in, allowing countries with shared water supplies to plan together, exchange data and build trust.

• Project 3: Blue Peace in Central Asia – Water connects

  Why is this work relevant to security?

  
  In Central Asia, shared rivers are essential to day-to-day living and the economy. Climate change is melting glaciers and demand is increasing, putting pressure on both upstream and downstream countries. Blue Peace intervenes early, enabling countries to cooperate on planning, share data and establish reliable rules. This reduces tensions and helps to prevent droughts, floods and shortages.

  What specific action is the SDC taking?

  In 2010, Switzerland launched Blue Peace globally. Since 2017, the initiative has promoted dialogue on water policy and provided training courses in Central Asia. In concrete terms, Blue Peace supports platforms for dialogue between governments and experts and promotes remote sensing and digital weather and water information services that deliver joint forecasts. Blue Peace enables young water specialists to consolidate their expertise and it also works with journalists. Workshops are held to present clear, fact-based and reliable information on water issues to the general public and decision-makers.

  Outcomes

  • Sharing data ensures greater transparency which builds trust and facilitates joint decision-making.
  • Intergovernmental dialogue formats established; scientific evidence feeds into policymaking.
  • Training provided and connections established between journalists and young professionals – improving the skills of water specialists.
  • Projects involving tributaries demonstrate common benefits and facilitate financing.

Why is this relevant for Switzerland? Because global setbacks, ranging from armed violence to displacement and natural hazards, undermine the stability of entire regions. Greater levels of protection, better prospects and well-functioning institutions on the ground reduce the risk of new cycles of violence and large-scale migration.This reflects Switzerland's humanitarian tradition and its interest in a reliable, rules-based order. International cooperation is an effective complementary instrument, which has a subtle yet discernible impact on people's day-to-day lives.

Looking ahead

Security increases when basic needs are met: functioning water pipelines, schools that stay open, authorities issuing ID cards, and building trust by creating spaces for dialogue. The SDC therefore continues to focus on practical, prevention-based projects – sound governance, inclusive participation, better basic services, and economic opportunities for young people and women. It also selectively combines humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peacebuilding efforts, as required in the context. This allows risk to be reduced while gradually building resilience.

Links

• IC as part of Swiss security policy