SDC at a Glance

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is the agency for international cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The SDC is responsible for the overall coordination with other federal authorities of development cooperation and cooperation with Eastern Europe as well as for humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation.

Swiss international cooperation, which is an integral part of the Federal Council's foreign policy, aims to alleviate need and poverty around the world, to foster respect for human rights, to promote democracy and to conserve the environment. It fosters economic self-reliance and state autonomy, contributes to the improvement of production conditions, helps address environmental problems, and ensures better access to education and basic healthcare services.

In the South Caucasus, Switzerland's involvement is aimed at the needs and priorities of its three partner states in the region - Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. It focuses on making economic development inclusive and sustainable, improving the efficiency of democratic institutions and human security.

Website Link: Swiss Development Cooperation South Caucasus 

ADC at a Glance

Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) supports countries in Africa, Asia, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe in their sustainable development. The Foreign Ministry of Austria (FMEIA) plans ADC strategies and programmes. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of ADC, implements these together with public institutions, non-governmental organisations and enterprises.

In its cooperation with South Caucasus countries - Georgia and Armenia, the Austrian Development Agency concentrates on agriculture and forestry to generate income, create jobs and raise local content. Austria’s engagement is primarily aimed at poverty reduction in the border regions between the two countries, where a major theme is also conflict prevention; the others are good governance and decentralization.

The motivation behind reform efforts in the countries of South Caucasus is the prospect of closer cooperation with the EU. The majority of the population is still struggling with severe poverty and high unemployment. Population groups in this multi-lingual and multi-ethnic region are frequently mutually distrustful and harbour deep-seated prejudices against each other. General problems that need addressing are poor infrastructure, untapped potential in industrial sectors, extremely small-scale agriculture, barriers in transport and business and industry, corruption and political and territorial conflicts. 

Website Link: Austrian Development Agency

Sida at a Glance

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency - Sida, is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world. Through its work and in cooperation with others, Sida contributes to implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development. Sida’s activities are funded through Swedish tax revenue.

The work of Sida, is guided by strategies that are usually valid for a period of five years. They either have a geographic or thematic focus, such as human rights, democracy and rule of law. The Swedish government decides which countries Sida should have long-term cooperation with. These are some 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, where Sida works including Caucasus region and Georgia

The aim of Sida’s reform cooperation with Georgia is to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights, to improve the country’s environmental work and to support the country’s efforts to strengthen the ties with the European Union. 

Website Link: The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency