Published on 1 April 2025

Non-governmental organisations

Partnerships with local, international and Swiss non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are an important part of implementing the objectives of Switzerland’s international cooperation. Partnership-based cooperation uses existing synergies and creates multiplier effects in humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peace promotion. It also promotes the democratic participation of local people in development processes and strengthens the sustainability of development engagement.

Managing global crises and ensuring sustainable international cooperation require internationally coordinated solutions. Effective and efficient cooperation between state and non-state actors is becoming increasingly important. Engagement with NGOs creates valuable synergies and multiplier effects in humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peace promotion, benefiting from their diverse expertise, local knowledge and innovative approaches. The implementation of concrete measures by local actors also promotes and strengthens local ownership and the sustainability of the development engagement.

Objectives of engagement with non-governmental organisations

The SDC has two overarching objectives in its engagement with NGOs:

• Strengthening civil society in developing and transition countries as well as in humanitarian crises;
• Facilitating access to Swiss expertise, innovation and services.

Forms of engagement with non-governmental organisations

Engagement with international and Swiss NGOs can take different forms:

• Mandates;
• Earmarked contributions;
• Core contributions (Swiss NGOs only).

Links

• Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation
• Recommendation of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance