Helvetas Eastern Europe Expands Its Impact Amid a Changing Development Landscape
In 2025, Helvetas Eastern Europe strengthened its development impact across 11 countries, supporting inclusive economic growth, good governance, and resilient communities. While results are encouraging, increasing pressure on development funding risks slowing progress in the region. Operating in a complex environment shaped by economic uncertainty and conflict, Helvetas continued to focus on systems change and locally led development, working closely with institutions, businesses, and civil society. Experience shows that sustainable results depend on strengthening local systems and leadership rather than short-term interventions.
Key Achievements and Outcomes:
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2+ million people reached
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59% women | 35% youth
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28,700+ organizations supported
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CHF 32+ million additional income generated
Portfolio Highlights
Sustainable Economy
In 2025, the Sustainable Economy portfolio contributed to improved employment, income, and market access across the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership. Beyond direct job creation and income gains, several interventions matured to the point where market actors increasingly adopted and scaled inclusive business practices independently.
This shift from project-driven delivery toward market-led systems is particularly visible in labour markets, skills development, and business services, especially for young people and women.
Good Governance
The Good Governance portfolio strengthened institutional performance, civic engagement, and public service delivery in complex political environments. Progress was strongest where governance tools became embedded as permanent systems, including performance management, fiscal accountability, and participatory planning.
At the same time, civic space initiatives — such as ACT in Serbia — reinforced civil society as a credible governance actor, ensuring that citizen participation and advocacy remain effective even in constrained environments.
RECONOMY
In 2025, RECONOMY consolidated its focus on market systems with strong potential for inclusive and green growth across the region. Several mature interventions moved beyond pilot stages and began achieving scale, as market actors increasingly adopted, financed, and expanded new practices.
Strategic private sector partnerships — including with VOLVO — alongside DCED-certified results systems further strengthened both the sustainability and credibility of RECONOMY’s impact.
Development Nexus in Ukraine
Helvetas advanced a humanitarian–development nexus that addressed urgent needs while reinforcing long-term recovery in Ukraine. By linking shelter repairs, economic recovery, skills development, and policy reform, interventions supported communities to stabilise and rebuild while strengthening systems essential for reconstruction.
This approach positions humanitarian action not as a temporary response, but as a foundation for sustainable recovery.
Sustaining progress requires long-term commitment
Helvetas emphasizes that continued progress in the region depends on predictable and sustained development support. In contexts affected by fragility and transition, reducing investments risks undermining hard-won gains in economic inclusion, governance, and social cohesion.
The full Helvetas Eastern Europe Annual Report 2025 provides deeper insights, data, and stories from across the region
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