© Richard Gerster

The Swiss agency for development and Cooperation (SDC) works in India with a central focus on poverty reduction. Geographically its cooperation programme has been concentrated on semi-arid regions of the central Deccan plateau (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra) as well as on Kerala, Rajasthan, Orissa, Sikkim and Gujarat.

SDC's programmes have contributed to people's empowerment and poverty reduction by focusing on three productivity enhancing themes: retention and sustainable use of water, rural energy and housing, rural finance and employment creation. In addition, SDC has supported Indian organisations in the fight for inclusion and social justice and in the promotion of the decentralisation process.

Considering the fast growing importance of India as a global actor, the availability in the country of financial and human resources to address the challenge of poverty and sustainable development, as well as the importance to build on more than 45 years of development cooperation with India, SDC in 2006 decided to engage into a new type of collaboration with India.

The new Programme involves a shift from traditional/classical development cooperation, towards a collaboration based on common interests and shared investments, with the ultimate aim of reducing poverty. A key feature of this Programme is the exchange of know how and technologies between Switzerland and India and the promotion of South-South cooperation.