Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (India)

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency that is responsible for the overall coordination of Switzerland’s overseas relief and development activities. Programmes for India are concentrated on the semi-arid regions of the Deccan plateau, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. SDC’s primary aim is to support development efforts within Indian society and to fight discrimination through support of human rights organisations. SDC cooperates with governments and organisations. Humanitarian aid is given mainly when major natural disasters call for a rapid and efficient emergency response.

In India, SDC is active in the following areas of cooperation:

Climate changewith a focus on adaptation, energy efficiency, renewable energies and clean environment.

Decentralisation and local governance with a focus on supporting exchange of experiences, lessons and relevant practices relating to decentralisation across the South Asian countries as well as between Switzerland and India.