© DEMOS

Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Amplifying all citizens’ voices, fostering good governance, preventing conflicts and the radicalization of youth, and promoting the transformative effects of migration on development are key focus areas of Helvetas’ global programs.
© DEMOS

The Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion aims for All people, including those left behind &/or living in fragility, contribute to & benefit from more equitable, inclusive, cohesive, & just societies.  

Inequality, Insecurity and Instability are on the rise

Considering that we are working in increasingly complex, dynamic & fragile contexts, in the frame of our Development, Humanitarian Response (HRP) & Nexus interventions, it is essential to promote good governance, social equity, social inclusion, social cohesion & social justice (accountability toward underserved, marginalized, & affected populations) in all of our work and collaborations. 

VIC Graphic 2025

VIC Theory of change focuses on empowering people and strengthening systems to create more equitable and inclusive societies. It outlines three key pathways:

  1. Self Empowering People
  2. Fostering Collaboration and Partnerships
  3. Strengthening Systems for improved Frame Conditions

Ultimately, this theory posits that empowered people, accountable systems, and enabling frameworks will lead to more equitable, cohesive, and just societies, especially for marginalized groups.

Our work

VIC works to increase voice, inclusion, and cohesion in societies. It does this through three main areas:

  • Governance & Civic Space: Promotes social equity by self-empowering people to exercise their rights and access services.
  • Migration: Fosters social inclusion by helping migrants and displaced people participate in and benefit from society.
  • Conflict Transformation: Builds social cohesion by supporting people in preventing and reducing conflict.

VIC also prioritizes gender and social equity and advocacy for human rights across all its work, recognizing these are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive impact.

The VIC Team

The diverse team of senior experts and advisors is always ready to collaborate, to support, to facilitate, to advise, to plan, to review, to strategize, to evaluate, to train or coach, and more according to context and needs. The team works both with our project teams and partners, as well carries out short consultancies and longer backstopping assignments for external clients, in Switzerland and abroad.  

The VIC Team

Our Working fields and transversal topics

 

Conflict Transformation

Sustainable development can only happen in a peaceful context, where human rights are respected and promoted.

Governance & Civic Space

Helvetas pursues a society in which all people have equal opportunities, can express their opinions freely and participate in democratic decision-making.

Migration

Helvetas neither encourages nor discourages people from migration. We recognize migration as a viable livelihood strategy.

Check out our blog for the latest updates

Governance and civic space

Read our blog posts
© Patrick Rohr

Migration

Read our blog posts

Conflict transformation

Read our blog posts

© Helvetas
Laos Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Fostering Civic Engagement

© Helvetas
Ethiopia Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Taking Responsibility for Village Administration

© Helvetas / Simon Opladen
Guatemala WASH & Water Governance

Good Governance Makes for Good Water

© Helvetas
Pakistan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Economic Prospects for Peace and Stability

Sri Lanka Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Making Labor Migration a Success

© Helvetas / Bruna Fossati
Sri Lanka Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Young People on Course for Reconciliation

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Justice for All

© DLDP
Albania Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Building Confidence in Local Government

© Helvetas / Armand Habazaj
Albania, Serbia Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Social Sciences for a Better Society

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Water for Sustainable Development

© Helvetas
Bhutan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Partnership for Diverse Civil Society Actions

Bangladesh_CSO-LA_5 | © Julia Thienhaus / Helvetas
Bangladesh Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Strengthening Capacities of the Disadvantaged

© Helvetas
Nepal Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Making Labor Migration an Informed Choice

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Public service improvement in Kyrgyzstan

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Contributing to a More Cohesive Society in Kyrgyzstan

© DEMOS
Kosovo Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Building a Democratic Kosovo

© Water for food
Global Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Tackling Corruption in the Water Sector

© HelvetasBhutan
Bhutan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Bringing Decision-Making to Local Communities

© Helvetas
Guatemala Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Entrepreneurship in the Guatemalan Highlands

Sri Lanka Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

A journey towards a Human Trafficking Free Sri Lanka

Open History Exhibition Dawei | © Helvetas Myanmar
Myanmar Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Open History: Arts for Peace

Serbia Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

ACT for a Stronger Civil Society