Published on 18 March 2025

State institutions

As the federal government’s centre of competence for international cooperation, the SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development cooperation. This includes dialogue and coordination with other federal offices, as well as with the cantons and governments of other countries.

Federal Administration

Switzerland’s international cooperation is carried out by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) together with other departments of the Federal Administration. As part of the FDFA, the SDC collaborates with other federal offices to implement development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding across various thematic areas.

List of federal offices and thematic areas

• Within the FDFA

  • Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD): Peace and Human Rights
  • Directorate of International Law (DIL): International law 

• Other departments of the Federal Administration

  • Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN): Switzerland’s international environmental policy
  • State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO): Economic cooperation and development
  • Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH): International health policy
  • Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG): International agricultural policy
  • State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): Foreign policy on migration 
  • Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS): Military peace support
  • State Secretariat for Education,
  • Research and Innovation (SERI): International cooperation in education and Swiss international cooperation in research and innovation
  • Federal Office of Culture (FOC): Cultural promotion

Cantons and communes

The SDC promotes dialogue on development cooperation issues through partnerships with cantons, cantonal federations and communes. This ensures the exchange of experience in areas such as decentralisation, local government support and the provision of public services.

Governments in partner countries

Switzerland promotes respect for human rights and good governance through projects and programmes as well as political dialogue with foreign governments. Switzerland places particular emphasis on strengthening the capacity and self-reliance of governmental authorities and civil society in partner countries.

Good governance is measured primarily by the quality of state services and public administration, as well as by transparent accountability in accordance with the principles of the rule of law. It requires an independent judiciary, a democratic state based on the rule of law, and a stable legal framework for private and public enterprises. In this context, transparency and criminal sanctions against corruption are key. Depending on the situation and context, Switzerland participates in political dialogue with governments in order to support reform efforts or to create better economic and social conditions.

Other donor countries

Coordination among donor countries is essential to maximise the effectiveness of development cooperation and ensure Switzerland’s unique added value. As a dedicated partner in international cooperation, Switzerland carefully considers the activities of other donor nations when planning and implementing its own initiatives. Regular, formalised discussions on development policy with selected donor countries play a significant part in this endeavour. Multilateral bodies and institutions such as the United Nations (UN), where donor countries engage in regular dialogue, are key in coordinating international cooperation at the global level. The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) provides another important platform for donor countries to share experiences and strategies.