Thematic Cooperation Division
Climate change, food and water crises as well as migration increasingly affect the development prospects of low- and middle-income countries. The Thematic Cooperation Division works to address complex global challenges and to promote globalisation that favours sustainable development.
The current crises – climate change, rising social and economic inequalities, war, pandemics – are intrinsically interconnected and interdependent. They exacerbate each other and cannot be framed and solved in isolation. This requires a different thematic approach in Switzerland’s International Cooperation.
Striving to address both the root causes and the immediate and longer-term consequences of crises, the Thematic Cooperation Division operates in four complementary functions:
- Operational programmes and strategic partnerships;
- Policy dialogue;
- Thematic advice;
- Knowledge management and learning.
This includes developing and funding operational programmes and strategic partnerships to find sustainable solutions to global and regional challenges, engaging in policy dialogue to influence the direction of multilateral organisations and global standards, providing thematic advice within the federal administration and external networks, and managing knowledge and learning to enhance the effectiveness of Swiss international cooperation and ensure its broader impact.
The teams of the Thematic Cooperation Division work either directly or in coordination with other SDC entities or Federal Offices toward the objective of «Contributing to inclusive, peaceful and green development for people and planet».
The Thematic Cooperation Division focuses on six key themes: Economy and Education; Peace, Governance, and Equality; Climate, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Environment; Migration and Forced Displacement; Health and Food; as well as Water.
Global approach
Global challenges impact low- and middle-income countries. The SDC uses global programmes and international dialogue to provide sustainable solutions.
Economy and education
The SDC supports education and connects it to local economies through vocational skills development. In doing so, it promotes inclusive growth and the private sector.
Peace, governance and equality
Through its global efforts, the SDC invests in peace, governance, and equality to enhance its development effectiveness and have sustainable impact.
Climate, disaster risk reduction and environment
The SDC’s approach on Climate, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and the environment focuses on combating climate change through targeted, sustainable practices.
Migration and forced displacement
The SDC supports measures in the field of protection, promotes local solutions for forcibly displaced persons to unlock migrants’ economic contributions.
Health and food
The SDC promotes health and nutrition by fostering sustainable diets, equitable health services, and agroecology.
Water
The SDC supports projects that ensure safe drinking water, improve sanitation infrastructure, and promote better water management to ensure healthy water cycles.
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern