What we do What you can do Who we are English Search DONATE NOW Home Who we are Vision & Mission Table of content Our Vision and Mission More Information Truly changing lives Our Vision and Mission We are committed to bringing about real change for disadvantaged people in about thirty countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. © Tanja Demarmels About us Helvetas is committed to a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner. Helvetas is an independent organization for development based in Switzerland with affiliated organizations in Germany and the United States. Helvetas supports poor and disadvantaged women, men and communities in about thirty developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Together with our partners Helvetas tackles the global challenges at various levels: with projects on the ground, with expert advice and by advocating for conducive framework conditions benefiting the poor. This triple commitment is empowering people and transforming lives. Helvetas follows a multi-stakeholder approach by linking civil society actors, governments and private sector. Helvetas is active in five working areas: water, food and climate, education, jobs and private sector development, governance, gender and social equity. Helvetas engages in emergency relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. In addition to rural areas, Helvetas is increasingly involved in urban development and is focusing its work on young women and men. In Switzerland, Helvetas promotes solidarity and participates in the dialogue on development policy. Our vision Our vision is of a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner. Our mission We support poor and disadvantaged women, men and communities in developing and transition countries in their efforts to improve their living conditions. Through development cooperation, we support women and men in improving their livelihoods themselves in a sustainable manner. We promote equitable access to the resources and services necessary for life and thus contribute to overcoming the root causes of poverty. We uphold the protection and promotion of social, economic, political, environmental and cultural rights and responsibilities, and seek to ensure their practical implementation. We support our partners in engaging in development policy issues. We advocate for a coherent Swiss foreign and economic policy, responsive to the needs of men and women in developing and transition countries. We accompany and support our partners on a long-term basis. Our fundamental values Our engagement is based on solidarity and partnership. We work towards achieving human rights and upholding the principle of self-determined development. We are committed to social equity and strive for equal opportunities for men and women regardless of age, origin, language, religion, culture or political convictions. Our collaboration with our partners is based on mutual respect for cultural values and principles. We stand for development that balances economic viability, environmental appropriateness and social benefits. « For the first time in human history, overcoming poverty as a destiny is within reach. Faced with growing inequalities, we must unite forces to create pathways into a self-determinded life for today’s global youth.» Melchior Lengsfeld, Executive Director of Helvetas Our working principles We work in partnership, on the basis of shared values, and strengthen the autonomy of our partners. We strive for innovation and sustainability in our programmes. We actively engage in development policy dialogue seeking to influence international regulatory frameworks towards being more just and responsive to the demands of developing countries. We work with civil society organisations, private sector and government actors and promote exchange among them at local, national and international levels. We take into account the local context. In fragile situations, we engage in conflict prevention and management. We foster intercultural dialogue, the exchange of experiences and knowledge and thus learn for our future work. We uphold good governance and democratic accountability, including the fight against corruption. We work in an outcome-oriented and efficient manner. As a learning organisation, we systematically monitor the results and impacts of our programmes and projects. We are committed to transparency and accountability towards our partners and stakeholders. We foster open internal and external communication. We support the professional and personal development of our personnel. Board of Directors Our Working Principles and Approaches We strive for a fairer world in which everyone can fulfill their basic needs. We support people in taking charge of improving their livelihoods sustainably. Management Board More Information Annual Report 2020 PDF (13.73 MB) Helvetas at a Glance PDF (2.37 MB) Bylaws PDF (0.35 MB) Helvetas Mission Statement PDF (0.72 MB) Helvetas Code of Conduct PDF (0.28 MB) Strategy 2021 - 2024 PDF (4.02 MB) Manifesto for responsible communication PDF (0.09 MB) YES, I DONATE FOR REAL CHANGE. HELVETAS - A PARTNER FOR TRUE CHANGE Truly changing lives Change takes place where people have decided to break new ground. Teófilo Caraballo, for example. He made it possible for his family to drink clean water from their own tap. DONATIONS PC: 80-3130-4 IBAN: CH76 0900 0000 8000 3130 4 BIC: POFICHBEXXX SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Instagram ABOUT US Vision and Mission Contact us Code of Conduct & Complaint Procedure Events Jobs YOUR LOCATION Switzerland change OFFICE ZURICH Weinbergstrasse 22a 8021 Zürich Phone: +41 44 368 65 00 E-Mail: info@helvetas.org OFFICE BERNE Maulbeerstrasse 10 3011 Bern Phone: +41 31 385 10 10 E-Mail: info@helvetas.org MEMBER OF CERTIFIED BY © Helvetas 2021 PRIVACY POLICY IMPRESSUM PAMOJA