Mission – Swisscontact is the organization of the Swiss private sector for development cooperation. Its aim is to promote private economic and social development in selected countries in the South and East through advisory services, training and continuing education. By applying the principle of helping others to help themselves, Swisscontact and its local partners are fighting poverty effectively.

Who are we? Swisscontact is a politically and denominationally neutral organization founded in 1959 by personalities from the Swiss private business and university sectors. Over five hundred staff members are active for Swisscontact in project countries as well as in Switzerland . In addition the experts of our Senior Expert Corps offer their know-how as volunteers. The foundation is tax-exempt and recognized as a non-profit organization.

What do we do? Our goal is to promote sustainable development (socially, ecologically and economically) in selected southern and eastern countries. Cooperation with local partners is a priority for Swisscontact, as our leading principle is: "Helping Others to Help Themselves".

Why do we do this? Millions of people in developing countries and in Eastern Europe live in degrading circumstances. Their opportunities to develop are severely hampered by basic economic and political conditions as well as by their own financial and social situation. By offering education and further training, Swisscontact seeks to ensure that people living in the poorest countries can themselves be responsible for improving their quality of life.

How do we get involved? To further the development of our partner countries and also to reduce poverty, we run programs in the following areas:

• Encouraging vocational training

• Promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improving their basic conditions

• Financial services: Improving the possibilities for SMEs to save and receive loans by offering micro-credit schemes and financing facilities

• Environmental protection: Reducing the environmental burden in towns and cities In all areas, particular emphasis is placed on promoting the private-sector economy

What are our guiding principles? Our work is governed by the following principles:

• Promoting the civil society and strengthening the private-sector economy

• Helping people to help themselves

• Long-term co-operation with local partners

• Promoting equal opportunities for women

• Protecting the environment

How do we finance our projects? A financial commitment from the Swiss private sector, municipalities, cantons and individuals ensure the viability of Swisscontact's projects. Contributions by the Swiss government, multilateral organizations and private foundations represent other sources of funding. For organizational reasons, some of these mandates are executed by Swisscontact Services AG.