The origin of the Swiss assistance in Nepal dates back half a century to when SDC implemented its first project and pioneered many approaches. Swiss assistance has concentrated on the hill regions and emphasized on rural development with projects and programmes in rural infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, skills development and social services. A strong commitment and tangible results have led to a broadly accepted, positive reputation and branding for SDC and Swiss Cooperation in Nepal.

SDC has contributed to the formulation of the key development policies and has fostered decentralization at district and local level, focusing on democratic development and participation. SDC and its partners (in particular Helvetas) have strong technical, institutional and social competencies in areas that are key to poverty reduction including rural infrastructure, forest and soil fertility management as well as occupational skills / vocational training.

SDC’s programme in Nepal particularly transport infrastructure (roads, trail bridges) , management of natural resources (forestry, agriculture) – have over the years established a strong foundation in the country that is directed to capacity development and policy improvement. SDC is one of the few agencies that has supported technical and vocational training and education as a corner stone of human development continuously over half a century. Governance issues such as decentralization, human rights and anti-corruption, especially at the local level as well as promotion of equity and social inclusion are integral part of the program implementation. SDC Nepal has started to contextualize the issues of women and conflict, thus promoting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and Resolution 19 of the 61st Human Rights Commission on Nepal in Geneva.

Over the last several years, the SDC programme has adopted a comprehensive Conflict Sensitive Programme Management (CSPM) consisting of four complementary sets of instruments, Security management, Coordination with other donor agencies, Awareness building and support at operational level, and close monitoring of the political and human rights situation. This approach has proven to be effective during the recent period of increased tension, repression and open conflict at operational level also in coordinating political responses.

Strong linkages with groups of citizens, users committees and local NGO and networking with the allied community-based organizations has given SDC the opportunity to act in and on the conflict at the local level, easing tensions and preparing the way for dialogue and reconciliation. This presence in the field has allowed SDC also to address difficult issues linked to the effect of violence and fear on the civilian population, especially on women.

SDC has established sound cooperation with all major donor agencies by participating in the process that  led to the formulation of Basic Operating Guidelines (BOGs). Since 1st February 2005, SDC chairs weekly meetings with representatives from all agencies that signed the BOGs as well as various UN agencies. These partners assess together the development space and coordinate pro-actively the measures necessary to ensure its continuation and expansion.

Geographical focus:

SDC Nepal in close cooperation with Helvetas concentrates its interventions in geographic cluster areas, where the programme has traditionally had substantial presence and impact. SDC is particularly engaged in Dolakha, Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga; whereby Helvetas concentrates activities in Dandeldhura and Doti in the Far-Western Development Region, in Dailekh, Jajarkot and Achham in the Western Development Region as well as Tehrathum in the Eastern Development Regions.