A closer look at 2025
2025 began with a political shockwave: the US government decided to close its development agency USAID and to withdraw from international cooperation in many parts of the world. In consequence, several European countries followed suit and announced extensive spending cuts as well. In Switzerland, too, the political debate became heated. For 2025, the parliament has cut the budget for international cooperation by 110 million Swiss francs.
Yet, in the face of global wars and climate crises, international cooperation remains essential – even as funding continues to dwindle. ‘The Lancet’ forecasts ten million additional deaths by 2030, with children under five set to be among the hardest-hit victims.
Civil society, too, continues to mobilise support. Solidarity is growing: SWISSAID has rarely received more donations and bequests from foundations, institutions and private individuals than it did in 2025. Thanks to your support and a strong local presence, we have been able to work hand in hand with local communities to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable.
Solidarity first!
‘In this uncertain world, SWISSAID proved both its resilience and its innovation last year. Together with partners such as Sufosec, we are focussing our efforts on addressing these growing uncertainties. We are strengthening local structures and promoting the local character of our programmes.
Our response to these challenges is clear: solidarity first! Because sustainable change can only be achieved when people act together – and do so regardless of national borders.’
Fabian Molina, President of SWISSAID
The year in numbers
294'947 people
in ten countries were able to overcome hunger and poverty with our support.
45'075 donors
supported us last year. Thank you for your solidarity and loyalty!
104’311 people
were reached through our emergency aid efforts in Myanmar and in Chad.
Our priorities
In a year marked by political tensions and budget cuts, we are steadfastly continuing our work. More than ever, we are focusing on providing emergency aid, using local resources and relying on concrete data.
In focus: humanitarian aid
Emergency aid is more important than ever in the face of climate crises, natural disasters and conflicts. Our efforts provided 104,311 people in particularly vulnerable circumstances with access to essential supplies and support to help them overcome the crisis and rebuild their lives. In 2025, we were predominantly active in Myanmar and in the Farchana refugee camp in Chad.
In figures
Over 40,000 people
in Myanmar received rapid and targeted assistance following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country in March 2025. Beyond emergency aid, SWISSAID remains active on the ground and supports the reconstruction efforts.
47’000 people
in Chad received food parcels, seeds and access to water last year. The project was developed because of the civil war in Sudan, which has already claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and forced more than 12 million to flee. It is one of SWISSAID’s most ambitious and complex emergency aid projects.
In focus: promoting local solutions
All our projects are based on promoting local solutions and opportunities.
In particular, we focus on supporting and training young people to offer them real alternatives to rural exodus and migration. Through technical and financial assistance, as well as workshops on small-scale entrepreneurship, our initiatives enable the youth to earn a stable income and bring about meaningful change in their own communities. This approach strengthens the local economy and demonstrates that – given the right tools – young people can realise their potential ‘even back home’.
To ensure these local developments are also sustainable in the long term, we carry out projects to protect the food sovereignty of local communities. One example is the establishment of seed banks. The EmergenSEED project, which we run in Kenya with the Seed Savers Network, aims to protect local seed diversity from the negative effects of industrial agriculture and climate crises.
By managing their own reserves of maize, sorghum and millet seeds, farmers can not only free themselves from their dependence on commercial and patented seeds but also autonomously provide a locally adapted diet for themselves in the long term. This model of communal seed management not only secures agricultural resources; it also preserves the ecological heritage that is essential to the survival of the local population.
In figures
2596 different plant varieties
are stored in the seed banks of our partner countries. Access to one’s own seeds is a fundamental step towards local and self-sufficient food systems. Seed diversity is also beneficial for local biodiversity and soil health, as well as for a healthy diet on our plates.
107’405 hectares of land
– an area the size of the canton of Bern – are farmed in our SWISSAID projects using agroecological methods. These focus on growing a variety of seeds, using organic fertilisers and selling fruit and vegetables at local markets.
Seed Savers Network
In focus: measuring our impact – to improve our work
To make sure our work creates lasting impact, we rely on rigorous, science-based monitoring of our projects and complete transparency. We use international standards and precise indicators (covering dietary diversity, income and agroecology) to turn our interventions into concrete data. This evidence-based method enables us to adapt the projects in real time and base their development on solid facts rather than assumptions.
This approach would not be possible without close collaboration with the staff on the ground and our local partner organisations. They are the ones who collect the data and support the projects, ensuring a thorough understanding of the context. This participatory way of working ensures that projects are not merely measured but designed by and for the local population. This strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of all measures.
Last year, we surveyed 5,367 households from 17 projects. The interviews are conducted by local staff and partners, together with students from the project regions.
Lukas Reinhard, Data Expert at SWISSAID
– THANK YOU-
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all our donors for their generous support over the past year. Your generosity and solidarity allow us to bring about lasting change to the lives of many people in the Global South. We are also very grateful to the numerous companies and suppliers who provided their services at favourable rates. Last but not least, we would especially like to thank all those who included us in their will – their bequest will leave a lasting impact.
SWISSAID around the world
Where our funds come from:
1 % trinket sale- 3 % bequests
- 13 % project mandates
- 19 % SDC programme contribution
- 23 % unrestricted donations
- 41 % earmarked project amounts
Where our funds go:
- 6 % information work and development policy
- 5 % administrative expenditure
- 14 % fundraising and general expenditure on publicity
- 75 % overseas programme