© Helvetas / Narendra Shrestha

Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Sustainable agriculture, food security, and development of market systems are core elements of Helvetas’ work
© Helvetas / Narendra Shrestha

Inclusive and sustainable growth is crucial for enabling people to escape the vicious cycle of poverty. Every year, Helvetas supports up to 1,000,000 poor and disadvantaged people to sustainably produce more crops and to better market their products and services.

Why sustainable and inclusive economies matter

The conviction that economic growth inevitably reduces poverty and inequality has been proven wrong. Over the past decade, the world’s leadership acknowledged the need for more proactive approaches to ensure that growth benefits everyone.

After the world has experienced several crises in the recent years, we explore and use innovative approaches to boost sustainable and inclusive growth.

© Helvetas/Simon B. Opladen
«Most of us have no land of our own. But since we’ve been using the Mohana riverbed in the dry season, even us landless folks can sell vegetables.»

Rupa Chaudhary (24), a riverbed farmer and beneficiary of the project, is planning to send her two small children to a good school

Our work

Helvetas empowers the poor and disadvantaged to improve their livelihoods and incomes. We promote and advocate for production and consumption systems that ensure food security and sustainable use of natural resources. We collaborate with the private sector to promote inclusive and sustainable market systems.

In the past five years, over 4,000,000 people have learned more efficient and sustainable production and marketing methods with the help of Helvetas.

Our Expertise

Helvetas focuses on sustainable agriculture, food security, value chain facilitation and inclusive finance. Our multilingual Sustainable and Inclusive Economies team provides advisory services both to Helvetas and external clients.

Learn more and contact us

© Helvetas / Simon B. Opladen
Riverbed Farming
© Helvetas
Mali

Dynamizing Agriculture for the Youth

Multimedia Story: Where Tea Grows on Trees

The small farmers supported by Helvetas had better not be afraid of heights when it comes to picking tea leaves up in the trees. 
© Helvetas / Simon B. Opladen
Bolivia

Protecting the Primeval Forest with Cacao

Selected Projects: Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

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Sustainable and Inclusive Economies
© Helvetas
Mali Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Dynamizing Agriculture for the Youth

© Helvetas / Patrick Rohr
Laos Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Good Tea Fetches Good Prices

© Helvetas / Simon B. Opladen
Nepal Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Riverbed Vegetables

© Helvetas / Simon B. Opladen
Nepal Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Supporting Small Enterprises: Generating Jobs Through Processing Local Resources

© Helvetas
Guatemala Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Entrepreneurship in the Guatemalan Highlands

© Helvetas
Vietnam Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Fighting Poverty with Responsible Tourism

Tanzania Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Increase Food Security and income for farming households

Vietnam_Biotrade_Woman | © Helvetas
Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Ethical Trade in Botanicals

© Helvetas
Myanmar Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Invaluable Tidal Flats to Provide a Livelihood

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Creating Jobs to Escape Poverty

© Helvetas / Patrick Rohr
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Eastern Europe Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Making Markets and Jobs

© Helvetas
Bangladesh Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Joining Forces to Get Better Prices

© Helvetas / Markus Wild
Bhutan Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Market Access: A Way Out of Poverty for Farmers

© Helvetas / Simon B. Opladen
Bolivia Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Protecting the Primeval Forest with Cacao

© Helvetas/ Stephane Brabant
Benin Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Training and Inspiration for Young Farmers

© Helvetas
Vietnam Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

BioTrade Initiative in Vietnam

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Rural Access

For a Self-Determined Life in Dignity

© Helvetas
Mozambique Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Improving Food Security for Smallholder Farmers through Improved Postharvest Management

Mozambique Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Enhancing Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers and Small Entrepreneurs

Albania, Eastern Europe Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Making Markets Work for the Youth

© Helvetas
Nepal Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Supporting the Spread of Agricultural Innovation and Know-how to Women and Men Farmers

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Helping Kyrgyz Farmers Increase Incomes and New Employment Opportunities

Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, India Partnership and Capacity Development

Value Chain Capacity Building Network

© Helvetas
India Water

Fair and Good – for People and Planet

© Helvetas
Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Organic and Fair — Trade Coffee: A Sustainable Income for Smallholder Farmers

© Helvetas
Vietnam Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Swiss Import Promotion Program

© Karin Jakob / Helvetas
Global Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Stakeholders Across the World Join Forces to Increase Water Productivity

Tanzania Advocacy

RIPOMA: Increase Food Security and income for farming households

© AHOP
Global Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Improving Diets and Incomes of Rural Populations in Mountain Regions

© Helvetas / Vértigo Producciones
Global Knowledge and Learning

Advancing Knowledge for Agricultural Impact - AVANTI

© Helvetas/Singye Wangchuk
Global Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Networking for Employment and Income

Global Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Postharvest Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

© Helvetas
Vietnam Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Women Empowerment through Shan Tea and Medicinal Plants