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.

In many of the countries where Helvetas works, citizens are excluded from participating in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Every year, Helvetas supports around 350,000 people in exercising their civil rights.

Fostering good governance

Voice, inclusion and social cohesion is an aspiration, not a reality, for many people. The troubling trend of authoritarianism in recent years, fueled by populist rhetoric and nationalism, is exacerbating the situation. Meanwhile, space for civil society continues to shrink.

The Covid-19 crisis has led to further encroachments on civil and political rights. But the pandemic has also highlighted the importance of functioning governance systems. Fostering good governance and protecting human rights takes time — especially in areas of the world marked by fragility, conflicts and humanitarian disasters.

«I used to have to go knocking on lots of office doors when I wanted information, a form or a permit. Now I can contact the responsible offices directly online at my town’s One Stop Shop.»

Alma Kurti, owner of a private home for senior citizens in Shkodra, northern Albania

Our work

Helvetas works with local governments, civil society organizations, the private sector and citizens to promote effective and inclusive governance, conflict transformation and safer migration.

We help citizens engage in decision- and policy-making to influence and hold local governments to account. We strengthen the capacities of local governments to provide quality public services in a gender responsive, pro-poor and efficient manner.

Helvetas works with forcibly displaced persons and supports the most disadvantaged internal and international migrants seeking a better life by protecting their rights, minimizing migration risks, and maximizing the impact of migration on local social and economic development.

We foster peaceful relationships and social cohesion at the community level to prevent conflicts and the radicalization of youth that is fueled by scarcity of resources, unresponsive governments and populist rhetoric.

Interested in our expertise and services? Contact us!

Through implementing large-scale projects and providing advisory services, Helvetas has accumulated a wealth of experience in addressing root causes and exploring innovate and effective ways to support voice, inclusion and cohesion. Our multilingual experts form an in-house center of excellence that provides advisory services to Helvetas country programs and projects, partner organizations, and external clients.

We look forward to hearing from you about how we can collaborate. Get in touch! (advisory.service at helvetas.org)

You can also choose one of our working fields below and pick a team member that you would like to contact.