Jobs

One of the goals of Switzerland's international cooperation work is to help create decent jobs. This is key to reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth in Switzerland's partner countries. The private sector creates jobs and is one of the drivers of a country's economy, which gives it a central role. That is why Switzerland partners with local private sectors and is committed to fostering their development.

One of the priorities of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24 is to create decent jobs. As drivers of economic growth and employers, local businesses have a key role to play. That is why Switzerland promotes local private sectors, improves local business environments and supports creative approaches to inclusive economic growth. Economic growth can only contribute to reducing poverty if all sections of the population, particularly poor and disadvantaged groups, are given the chance to do a decent job that is properly paid and develop their potential in this way. That is why the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) considers decent jobs and better trained people key to economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries.

Reinforcing the private sector for more and better jobs

Switzerland helps local private sectors create jobs and develop products and services that stimulate economic development. Innovative financing instruments are used to mobilise investment in promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young entrepreneurs in developing countries. Local market systems are also improved, and entrepreneurship is promoted. In this way, Swiss international cooperation helps local people and companies access markets, provides new opportunities and supports the creation of decent jobs.

Inspired by the Swiss vocational education and training system

Switzerland's international cooperation work takes an innovative approach to creating professional opportunities in its partner countries. This is based on Switzerland's successful vocational education and training (VET) system, which is adapted to local contexts. The SDC's goal is to develop national VET systems that are tailored to the needs of the local labour market, which promotes access to decent work and increases productivity.