Collaboration with the Private Sector

We use the driving power of the private sector to scale sustainable development and broad-based well-being in developing countries and emerging economies. Through our longstanding partnership approaches with global and local partners,  we have catalyzed the private sector’s potential and develop innovative, market-oriented approaches to tackle development challenges at local levels. Through these efforts we support locally led and private sector development that achieves measurable and sustainable economic growth towards achieving the SDGs.

Swisscontact works together with multiple partners: national, regional, and local governments, civil society organizations, global and local companies, investors, and donors. As a convener, we engage these diverse actors and leverage their different skills, knowledge and market roles to help create sustainable development solutions. The private sector plays a unique role in this process.

In an increasingly interconnected world with more recognition of shared value approaches, there are ever more overlaps between business interests and development goals. These provide a basis for many dynamic collaborations.

As a bridgebuilder, Swisscontact develops sustainable, multi-stakeholder collaborations to build long-term and strategic alliances between international development agencies and the private sector. The resultant market-based and long-term projects foster sustainable development. 

Private sector-led and market-oriented approaches that drive socially and environmentally sustainable market economies offer the best conditions for people and businesses to reach their full potential. 

The private sector brings a wealth of knowledge, innovative technologies, skills, and resources that improve and scale the effectiveness of development cooperation. Collaboration with the private sector makes it possible to achieve results that encompass development priorities and address climate change that can be scaled through private sector investments that create jobs, employ green technologies, and work towards net zero carbon targets.

Swisscontact believes that applying market-oriented approaches, attracting  investments, and closing technological and financial gaps can help achieve the global development goals. In this way we achieve a broader outreach and long lasting impact to strengthen the resilience and prosperity of people and communities worldwide.

Through our self-funded Swisscontact Development Programme, we co-create local development and value chain projects with private sector partners. In these partnerships, Swisscontact provides funding for technical assistance and other support and works with to committed private sector partners who also provide financing and commitments. 

In these partnerships, Swisscontact provides funding for technical assistance and other support and works with committed private sector partners who also provide financing and commitments. 
Swisscontact facilitates partnerships with companies and investors to spur development and confront the challenges faced by companies – from the stability of value chains to investments in local businesses and workforce development. Our approach:

• Global presence
  Through our extensive presence and operations in more than 40 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Eastern Europe/Balkans, we have extensive networks with national and local governments, private sector, and civil society organizations, which positions us to develop sustainable solutions implemented and led by local stakeholders.
• Local partnerships: Long-lasting and sustainable 
  We always work closely with local private sector, finance institutions, and civil society organizations. This puts us in a position to strengthen social and economic structures, especially in fragile environments. Our long-standing partnerships employ inclusive approaches that focus on jointly implemented projects benefitting all stakeholders, especially local communities.
• Comprehensive expertise 
  With our deep-rooted understanding of social, environmental, and economic contexts, we are able to secure broad-based support to share our technical experience and know how to create synergies with local governments, local civil society, and local private sector. We implement innovative solutions, which take a whole systems and holistic approach to ensure market-oriented solutions are achieving sustainability and impact at scale. In this way we partner in and support the development of inclusive and resilient communities.
• Convening power and expert facilitation
  As a globally recognized organization that is highly respected in local markets, we bring the private sector, governing authorities, research institutions, and civil society organizations together to foster broad-based economic development with an eye to long-term, tangible sustainability and efficacy. Swisscontact sees itself as the catalyst and provider of such processes.