Stories and News

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.

Uzbekistan has adopted a new legal framework for its scarce water resources. The code is a key step towards greater sustainability and climate resilience.

The SDC podcast WHY CARE? is released every month. In the podcast, guests discuss questions related to Switzerland's international cooperation.

Culture creates space for dialogue, hope and healing, and has thus become a driver for social cohesion and lasting peace in Rwanda.

Everyday security in practice: SDC and partners reduce risk, build resilience and support institutions—with examples from Colombia, Mali and Blue Peace in Central Asia.

GPW 2025: We've interviewed Tim Enderlin and Patricia Danzi about the importance of conflict prevention and international cooperation for peace and security.

Switzerland supports CEI Africa to scale productive energy use, bringing solar solutions that open markets, create green jobs, and build resilient communities.

For two years Beat von Däniken has been head of cooperation in Venezuela, a country in the grip of a humanitarian crisis.

The second episode of the Focus video series sheds light on the background, developments and humanitarian situation in Sudan. The video explains how Switzerland is supporting the affected population on the ground and working to promote lasting peace in the region.

Switzerland works to protect glaciers through its internationally recognised polar and climate research, Interview with Prof. Daniel Farinotti, a glaciologist at ETH Zurich.

An inspiring model and an international commitment: at the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Congress in Lausanne from 3 to 5 September 2025, Switzerland will be highlighting its long-standing tradition of vocational training and its role in sharing know-how with partner countries.

Young people on the move in West and North Africa: Swiss support is opening up new prospects for them.

SDC works directly with humanitarian partner organisations to respond to the urgent needs of the civilian population.

An SDC exhibition brings humanity, hope and humanitarian principles into everyday life and creates global spaces for dialogue on protection and international law.

In Laos, farmers are discovering their land rights – and, with Swiss support, finding the courage to stand up for their future.

Floods in Armenia. The SDC sent specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to carry out a comprehensive technical assessment.

Women and girls are particularly affected by conflicts, climate crises & inequality - their participation is central to sustainable development.

As an observer on the Arctic Council, Switzerland is committed to environmental protection and the sustainable and peaceful development of the Arctic.

Courageous volunteers save lives – Switzerland is providing financial protection for local workers in Ukraine through its innovative insurance scheme for first responders.

In 2025, Switzerland will hold the chairmanship of International IDEA. The commitment to strengthening democratic systems is more important than ever.

Geneva focuses on disaster risk reduction: From 2 to 6 June 2025, participants at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction will discuss how to deal with natural hazards.

The newly published handbook, "The UN at Country Level" offers a clear, practical guide to how the UN operates on the ground—providing valuable insights for anyone engaging with or seeking to better understand UN Operational System.

On Africa Day on 25 May, the SDC is presenting four projects that support sustainable and self-determined development in African countries.

The visit by Federal Council Delegate Jacques Gerber gave fresh impetus to the long-standing cooperation between Switzerland and Ukraine on health, digitalisation and the economy.

The 2015 Nepal earthquake and the importance of short- and long-term aid in response to the latest earthquake in Myanmar

For decades, Usha Bhandari has campaigned for vocational education and training – in Nepal and beyond. Although she's about to retire, she's not thinking about quitting.

On 15 April 2023, Sudan was plunged into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that has led to massive displacement of the population and claimed thousands of lives.

Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected by climate change worldwide. Now, nine Swiss NGOs, the Embassy and local partners are joining forces to meet the challenges

Due to the precarious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, as of March 2025 Switzerland is once again present on the ground with a humanitarian office in Kabul.

Two SDC female staff share insights into the current situation in Damascus and the ongoing and future activities of the SDC in Syria.

Satellite early warning system for natural hazards (as for homepage teaser or variation of this) SLF researchers are training Indian specialists to use satellite data and computer models to identify impending natural hazards and areas that could be affected. The aim is to better model natural hazard processes in the Himalayas and prevent disasters.

South Sudan, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: three accounts of Switzerland's work in fragile contexts.

Since January 2025, the conflict in the DRC has resulted in more than 3,000 deaths and a similar number of wounded. In response, Switzerland is allocating CHF 3 million for humanitarian aid. This support package will go mainly to the ICRC and other partners on the ground who are already active in the areas of health, protection of the civilian population and emergency aid for displaced persons.

Lucas Riegger works for the SDC in Myanmar. He describes his everyday life.

The head of the SDC, Patricia Danzi, visited South Sudan at the beginning of January together with a Swiss delegation. All you need to know in this interview.

In 2024, Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan mark 30 years of cooperation. Switzerland has made a successful contribution to sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan over the past three decades.

The crisis in Mali has deprived thousands of children of their right to education. The SDC supports a project on education and child protection.

Swiss humanitarian and development initiatives support people displaced by conflict or insecurity.

The SDC programme officer travelled to eastern Ukraine to find out more about local needs and the use of Swiss equipment.

Switzerland has a comprehensive approach to security. International co-operation helps to address global issues and reduce security risks.

Since 2004, REPIC has supported sustainable projects, saving 288,277 tons of CO2 and promoting innovative solutions in 60 countries.

Creative workshops run by the Dialogues on Humanity exhibition invite schools to reflect on nature, hope, dignity and the boundaries between reality and fiction.

"The integration of the Kantha Bopha hospitals into the Cambodian healthcare system is a big step for development," says SDC Director-General Patricia Danzi.

Cambodia is one of the countries most heavily contaminated with landmines in the world. Thanks in part to Swiss support, the country can be cleared of mines and returned to the population.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) promotes drought-tolerant agricultural practices to bolster the resilience of Zimbabwe’s farming communities.

Through its project SET the SDC contributes to skills development for vulnerable youth in Tanzania so that they can find gainful employment.

Switzerland has supported media in Tanzania for ten years. Among the supported media is Niambie, a youth-focused radio show produced by BBC Media Action.

Despite its growing economy many Tanzanians remain in extreme poverty. Women and the youth are particularly vulnerable. The social insurance programme TASAF aims to bring people – particularly women – together for their economic empowerment. In Dar es Salaam two groups of women have bundled their energy and created sustainable small businesses. As a result, they have escaped extreme poverty and are able to stand on their own two feet.