The private sector plays a key role in transition countries. © SDC/Suzanne Linder

Unemployment and underemployment are among the most serious development problems facing the SDC's partner countries. People must have access to productive, reasonably paid employment enabling them to earn a living if global poverty is to be reduced in the long term and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved.

Private sector development

As a driving economic force, the private sector is accorded a key role in sustainable development.

Youth employment

Vocational education and training (VET) for young people must be tailored to the job market.

Financial sector development

Providing low-income households, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with improved access to financial services can boost their inclusion in economic life and make them less vulnerable to crises.

Current projects

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Futuro Microbank

15.05.2024 - 31.12.2027

The microfinance institution Futuro Mcb, SA currently provides financial services (loans, savings, insurance) to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) mainly in and around Nampula city. Switzerland will continue to support Futuro with a grant for technical assistance that will help the bank to expand its impact by providing financial services to more low-income entrepreneurs in more regions in Northern Mozambique, thus allowing them to enhance their income and create more jobs.


Scaling Up Youth Employment in Agriculture Initiative

01.05.2024 - 30.04.2028

In Zambia and Zimbabwe, due to a mismatch between the skills they have and those in demand, youth cannot access or create economic opportunities and overlook those available. The project builds skills and matches youth with firms, markets and finance to create more and better (self)-employment in agri-food, renewable energy and emerging sectors, contributing to Swiss priorities on human and economic development and climate change. This is a contribution implemented by SNV.


From Education to Employment (E2E)

01.05.2024 - 30.04.2028

To raise labour market participation and address the growing workforce shortage affecting the Serbian economy, in partnership with the Serbian Ministry of Labour, Swiss approaches and instruments for labour-market insertion will be adopted and scaled by key labour-market actors from the central and local Government, civil society and the private sector. Serbian companies will be capacitated to train their workforce independently and sustainably, and to fill vacancies through improved job matching services.


Talent Acceleration Program to Scale (TAP-2-Scale)

15.03.2024 - 31.08.2026

With this single-phase intervention, Switzerland aims to foster economic perspectives for Palestinian youth. The intervention will focus on creating long-term job placements of Palestinian graduates in international IT companies (including Switzerland), and it shall be achieved through upskilling programs tailored to private sector needs. The intervention is implemented in partnership with the Palestinian-Dutch start-up company TAP under the modality of payment for results.


Climate & Socially Resilient Livelihoods’ Support (CSRLS)

01.02.2024 - 30.04.2028

The climatic challenges exacerbate Afghanistan's already fragile socio-economic condition. The project by the Afghan NGO, The Liaison Office, aims to sustainably improve lives and livelihoods of the poorest households in selected provinces by strengthening the natural resource base, climate change resilient and diversified livelihoods, relationships within and between communities, as well as joint climate action.


Access 2 Green Financing for Enterprises

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2035

Building on Switzerland’s experience with innovative access to finance avenues, this programme facilitates mobilising green finance for small and medium sized enterprises in Bangladesh. The focus is on enterprises that have a strong commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and to providing green products and services in order to address climate change and reduce environmental degradation. 


Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF)

Ms. Maria Maguta, TASAF beneficiary in Katavi Region.

01.10.2023 - 30.09.2025

Switzerland’s contribution to Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) for the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net Program (PSSN) contributes to the protection of 1.5 milion poor households in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar through cash transfers, public works and livelihoods enhancement. Also evidence generated through this support will inform and reinforce Swiss engagement in national policy dialogue on social protection, beyond PSSN. 


COL: UN MPTF for Peacebuilding Fase III

01.10.2023 - 30.09.2024

Switzerland’s long standing support to peace efforts in Colombia serves its interests for international stability as well as human rights and is in line with Switzerland’s foreign policy interests as defined in the Federal Constitution. The contribution to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund, alongside other donors such as Norway and Germany, will support continuing implementation of the existing Peace Agreement and benefit vulnerable populations in former conflict regions. It will also underpin Switzerland’s current role in support of the government’s efforts for comprehensive peace in Colombia as well as its mandate as elected member of the Security Council. 


BF84 - PAPEA, Phase 02

01.09.2023 - 31.08.2027

Au Burkina Faso, la hausse de la consommation alimentaire de la population se heurte ä la faible performance de production des entreprises agricoles. Pour y pallier, la DDC renforce leurs capacitës d’investissement ainsi que leur environnement ëconomique afin d’impulser des dynamiques de dëveloppement des marchës, crëateurs d’emplois et de richesses pour les plus pauvres. La dëmarche rëpond aux exigences d’une croissance durable en s’attaquant aux causes de fragilitë multidimensionnelle.


Appui à la formation professionnelle duale au Rwanda

01.08.2023 - 31.12.2027

To achieve the development aspirations of Rwanda, one of the critical elements is to build strong bridges between the world of work and training institutions. This project aims to improve the quality of education by emphasizing on strengthening national mechanisms for decision-making, system integration and active engagement of the private sector in the skills development process. It will therefore focus more on institutionalization and sustainability by integrating all the stakeholders in a high-performance and locally adapted TVET system.


DIGI Nepal - Digital Innovation for Growth and Inclusion

01.07.2023 - 30.06.2025

This project Digital Innovation for Growth and Inclusion in Nepal, promotes digital innovation that is essential for an increased access of women and men, including from discriminated groups and beyond the capital, to affordable basic services. Therefore, it provides technical assistance and co-funding to digital tech providers, and facilitates their access to Swiss and international expertise and business relations. Digital innovation will also lead to market expansion as well as the creation of jobs and income.


Bangladesh Microinsurance Market Development Programme

01.07.2023 - 31.12.2027

This programme takes forward Switzerland’s global and in-country experience in working on agricultural microinsurance by addressing critical climate risks, hazards and resulting economic shocks for farming people. The programme will sustainably increase resilience of farmers and related micro and small enterprises through climate change adaptation practices, and stimulate sustainable and inclusive growth across multiple agricultural sub-sectors.

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