How We Work: Sustainable Impact Thanks to Localization

Our vision is a world in which all people have a fair chance to overcome hunger, poverty and injustice, to use natural resources sustainably and to take care of the environment. To achieve this, we focus on helping people help themselves and on strong, reliable partnerships.

Involving local expertise... 

Development cooperation is only successful and sustainable if international NGOs such as Helvetas work with people, organizations, authorities and companies from the respective countries on an equal footing. They have in-depth knowledge of the context of a country, are familiar with the challenges and needs, and enjoy the trust of the population. Together with them, we identify challenges and develop solutions.

We assess the chances of a collaboration’s success through clear criteria. These include a shared vision, shared values and knowledge of how a potential partner is structured and organized. These criteria also help us to identify potential risks and ensure ethical standards

...and strengthening capacities  

At the same time, we invest in building the skills of local partner organizations. This enables individuals, organizations, industry associations and interest groups to initiate development policy changes. Our training courses impart specialist knowledge on financing and infrastructure. They also promote interdisciplinary skills, for example in the areas of networking, leadership and change management.

Initiating or helping to shape developments that are managed locally has long been a matter of course for Helvetas. The exchange between our country programs is also important for Helvetas. This promotes mutual learning. We strengthen the capacity of employees and partners so that they can share their knowledge and find creative and effective solutions together.  

Our advisory services team guides development cooperation actors on how to collaborate effectively and on an equal footing with local partners.  

Doing the right things right    

Continuous learning and innovation are important, as is knowing what works: We measure the success of our work in order to learn from experience, to manage and develop projects in a targeted manner, and to be accountable to donors and partners.  

Every year, external experts also examine the long-term impact of selected projects. Since comprehensive impact studies are very expensive, not all projects can be scientifically evaluated. However, Helvetas takes care to make a thematically and geographically balanced selection and gives preference to projects for which there has been little research to date.   

Dialogue and advocacy

Sustainable development requires the appropriate framework conditions and a holistic, systemic approach. This is why Helvetas is also involved in dialogue with governments, civil society and companies.

We support local actors in effectively representing their concerns — for example in relation to land rights, access to water, or better management and use of funds. Where necessary, we get directly involved or use international human rights mechanisms to promote political change in favor of disadvantaged groups. 

Publications & further information