About us
Who are we?
Our NGO has been involved in international cooperation for over 80 years, drawing on long experience and institutional expertise in development cooperation and humanitarian action.
Solidar Swiss was founded in 1936 by the Swiss Trade Union Federation and the Swiss Socialist Party under the name of Schweizerisches Arbeiterhilfswerk (Swiss Workers' Relief Organization, SAH).
True to our historical roots, we are driven by the fight for a fairer world. Solidar Suisse conducts awareness campaigns in Switzerland and has operated in recent years with an average annual budget of 18 million Swiss francs. Our organization currently runs more than 60 projects in over 15 countries and employs 34 people in Switzerland and 100 abroad. Organized as an association, Solidar Switzerland is supported by collective members and a broad network of private members and donors. Private foundations and the public sector, in particular the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Swiss Solidarity and the Liechtenstein Development Service.
(LED) are key partners for us.
Our organization is a member of SOLIDAR, a European network of over 60 civil society organizations (CSOs) working to defend social justice in Europe and worldwide. We are a partner of Alliance Sud, the Swiss alliance of some of the largest NGOs active in the field of international cooperation.
Our vision
At the global level:
A just and equal world, free from discrimination, exploitation and violence, where people's basic needs are met and their fundamental rights are respected; a world where everyone enjoys decent work, social justice, equal opportunities and democratic participation.
At regional level:
Improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations in West Africa through a holistic response of humanitarian, development and peace actions.
Our mission
- Fighting for social justice and against exploitation;
- Providing emergency aid for post-disaster reconstruction in disadvantaged regions;
- Strengthen resilience of particularly vulnerable individuals and communities;
- Improve the quality of formal and non-formal bi-lingual education;
- Promoting peace and social cohesion.
Our strategic focus
To promote a more equitable world, Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso focuses its actions on two major programs: the Economy and Work Program (ET) and the Democracy, Civil Society and Humanitarian Action Program (DCSAH).
In addition, these two programs include a complementary approach called Nexus.Through this approach, Solidar Suisse combines humanitarian action, rural development and peace actions, with the objective of offering better living conditions to rural populations in an environment of social cohesion.
Each program carries out different development projects according to its field of intervention.
Our values
Solidarity and human rights
We stand in solidarity with poor people and vulnerable groups. Human rights are our guiding principle: they are non-negotiable and universal. In addition, we advocate for an equal distribution of resources, goods, services and economic opportunities.
Outspoken
We take clear positions in major political and social debates. All humanitarian interventions are carried out impartially and independently, based on the rights and needs of those affected.
Liability
We strive to be accountable for our actions and are committed to transparency.
Inclusiveness and equality
We respect all people, regardless of their gender, origin, religion, social position, physical abilities or sexual orientation. For Solidar Suisse, gender equality means that all human beings enjoy the same rights, opportunities and benefits in all areas of life. We believe that every person has the right to shape the actions and decisions that affect their lives and the society in which they live in.
Autonomy
As a humanitarian organization, we provide support to people living in precarious conditions and vulnerable groups; these people must be able to enjoy and exercise their rights. Therefore, we do not consider the recipients as passive recipients of charity or as victims, but as active and autonomous people who fight for their rights.
Professionalism
Solidar Suisse is committed to being a fair employer. As an employer, we promote a culture of personal responsibility, flexibility and professional development. We are competent, innovative and reliable, thanks to qualified and motivated employees.
Our approach - Our values in practice
Partnerships
We build lasting, authentic, high-quality partnerships to enable citizens and their collective organizations to fight for a democratic society and the rule of law. We work with civil society organizations, NGOs, grassroots organizations, social movements, labor rights movements and trade unions. We collaborate actively with our donors, on whose behalf we implement projects.
Cooperation between equals
Alliances, networks and collective platforms
We engage in national and international movements, platforms and networks to achieve common goals and respond collectively to global challenges.
We actively seek to build appropriate collaborations and alliances to increase the awareness and impact of our work.
Labour and human rights :
We fight against precarious working conditions and exploitation (modern slavery such as child labor or forced labor), while promoting legal, social and labor protection where it is not yet granted. Social protection focuses on labor rights, fair and dignified working conditions, living wages, social security and health, as well as the right to assembly and unionization.
Rule of law, democratic rights and citizen participation
People's participation and organization are important for guaranteeing human rights and enabling people to exercise greater influence over their lives and social development. We fight for universal access to democratic participation, and are determined to ensure that all the people we work for and with are able to influence the political decisions that shape their lives.
Responsibility for sustainable development
Global solidarity
Humanity is facing challenges unprecedented in the 21st century, such as climate change, urbanization and migration, inequality, food and water crises, digital transformation, access to renewable energies, fragile states and armed conflict. We believe we need to cooperate across borders and cultures to meet these challenges. As a Swiss organization, we must show solidarity with those who do not enjoy the wealth, prosperity and security we do. We stand in solidarity with our partner organizations, with workers, with women, with young people and with all other groups concerned in our priority countries.
Finally, solidarity and responsibility towards future generations oblige us to act swiftly and responsibly.
Results and impacts
All our work must lead to positive change for the people and communities we work with, and make a significant contribution to development processes. As such, we strive to optimize our impact by continually refining the focus of our objectives and results. To this end, we place as much emphasis on the use of synergies and collective learning as we do on achieving concrete, objectively assessed results. Solidar intends to further strengthen its impacts and qualitatively assess the positive changes within partners, communities, households and individuals.
Global and national reference
Our work is based on a set of multilateral and national standards, legal frameworks and programs. The most important are
- the United Nations Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Human rights conventions, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Norms and standards drawn up by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and adopted at International Labour Conferences (ILCs)
- The Swiss government's message on international cooperation (2017 - 2020 / 2021 - 2024)
- Business and human rights: UN guidelines on business and human rights; OECD guidelines; ILO fundamental conventions
- Humanitarian standards: the Fundamental Humanitarian Standard of Quality and Accountability (CHS), the SPHERE standards and the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
- National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES)
Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso's Theory of Change
Our theory of change involves theEconomy and Work, Disasters and Crises, Democracy and Civil Society.
Download " Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso's theory of change".
A word from the country representative
Arid land, climate change, food insecurity, precarious living and working conditions for young people and women, low levels of civic participation: these are just some of the many difficulties facing rural populations in Burkina Faso.
A predominantly rural country, 8 out of 10 people depend on the land for their livelihoods and the effects of climate change are unbelievably harsh for them.
Additionally, the results of the 5th General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH, 2019) show that 54.7% of the population is of working age (15 years or older). However, within this working age population, only 42.9% are employed compared to 53.8% of people outside the labor force. This is mainly due to: (i) the lack of appropriate educational opportunities for young people in rural areas who are not in school or who are excluded from the education system; (ii) the poor access to vocational training for poor and vulnerable young people and the weak democratic culture, which undermines efforts to emerge from poverty.
On top of that, I add the worsening security situation that is forcing millions of people to leave their homes (leaving behind their property and income-generating activities). This contributes to the increased number of vulnerable people in the country and consequently the increased need for humanitarian action.
In order to contribute to changing this gloomy situation, Solidar Suisse in Burkina Faso supports since the beginning the most vulnerable people to help them improve their living conditions. Through the government of Burkina Faso and our partners in civil society, we offer support to alleviate the suffering of the population.
Train and equip farmers and women in agriculture, livestock and vegetable farming;
Training and educating young people in job-creating professions;
Innovate education by introducing national languages to facilitate learning and interculturality to promote social cohesion. Provide literacy courses to as many people as possible;
Accompany communal actors to a more inclusive citizen participation... This is how we express our solidarity to the men and women of Burkina Faso.
Our support is paying off. More and more, farmers are developing resilience to the effects of climate change. Women are gardening, harvesting, selling, and improving the lives of their families. Literate young people, educated and trained in the bilingual system, are succeeding brilliantly in their studies and are integrating into social and professional life.
These efforts deserve to be made known to the world. This is what we aim to do through this website. It is a showcase to discover the program of the Solidar Suisse Representation in Burkina Faso through the life stories of these people who have overcome adversity through our combined efforts.
For us, solidarity also means sharing our life experiences. Let's stand together, let's be Solidar!
History
Solidar Suisse has been active in Burkina Faso since 1974. We have chosen not to implement projects directly in the field. Our approach is to accompany our state and civil society partners in implementing projects that are in line with our priority areas of intervention:
- Decent work
- Humanitarian action
- Democracy
In all of our interventions, we place a strong emphasis on gender, organizational and capacity building of farmers' organizations, and natural disaster risk reduction.
The projects of the Solidar Suisse representation in Burkina Faso are in line with the strategy
They offer a guarantee of institutional development, continuity/perpetuity and the chance of positive impacts within communities.
Team
The representation of Solidar Suisse in Burkina Faso is made up of a varied and professional team on development issues.
Corporate news
Find here the latest news from our organization.
Partners
Our financial partners
To carry out our fight for a more equal world, we receive financial support from various partners at the national and international level.
Our implementing partners
To implement our projects and to maximize success, we work in partnership with various organizations, associations at the national and regional level.
ANEEMAS
Artisanal Gold Council
Association Beo Neere Agroécologie (ABNA)
Association pour la promotion et l’Intégration de la Jeunesse de la région du Centre-Nord (APIJCN)
Association Wendkouni
Autres partenaires
Caritas Suisse
CRUS
ETAT
