SWISSAID

Established in 1948, SWISSAID operates in nine countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with its headquarters in Switzerland. Collaborating closely with local organizations and driven by a vision of a just and peaceful world, we strive for a future free from hunger, poverty, violence, and war.

Our work is grounded in supporting civil society, focusing on projects that promote ecologically sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, increased incomes and fairer markets, secure water supplies, specialized training courses, research, and advocacy at local, national, and international levels. We place special emphasis on empowering women within these project areas.

In Myanmar, where we have been active since 1992, SWISSAID collaborates with local civil society organizations and rural communities, particularly in the Kachin and Southern Shan regions. Our efforts aim to enhance the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder families through agroecological farming practices, improved market access, and secured forest use rights. Central to our mission is the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Despite the country’s challenging circumstances, we continue to support seven ongoing projects with an annual budget of CHF 2,113,401, benefiting approximately 5,625 individuals.

One notable initiative involves organizing farmers into community groups to collectively address subsistence challenges. By providing training in sustainable farming methods—such as crop rotation, intercropping, and pest management—farmers have achieved significant improvements in crop yields and income. For example, participants have reported profits from chili cultivation reaching four times the production costs, a vital boost for family sustenance.

WISSAID has established farmers’ interest groups that particularly support women, enabling them to expand their knowledge of agroecological cultivation methods and build self-confidence. Many women farmers now participate confidently in discussions alongside men, contributing to community decision-making and leadership.