Swiss NGO Funding Transparency Under Parliamentary Scrutiny

Questions arise over transparency in government funding of NGOs as parliament debates significant cuts to development aid budget.

The Swiss government granted CHF 4.6 billion in development aid across all departments last year.
Only the Foreign Ministry provides transparency regarding the nearly CHF 1 billion it distributes to NGOs.
The House of Representatives voted to cut development aid funding by CHF 250 million.
Government development aid spending has doubled over the last 15 years.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) distributes CHF 860 million, with one-third going to Swiss NGOs and two-thirds to foreign agencies.

CHF 4.6 billion

Total development aid granted last year

CHF 250 million

Proposed budget cut

CHF 63 million

Funding received by Helvetas

200

Number of Swiss NGOs receiving federal funds (2017-2020)

"Development aid is a billion-dollar business. NGOs fight for projects like health insurance companies fight for customers."
— Hans-Peter Portmann

"A political vendetta against the NGOs in this country."
— Cédric Wermuth

Billions in the Shadows

The Swiss government granted CHF 4.6 billion in development aid across all departments last year.
Only the Foreign Ministry provides transparency regarding the nearly CHF 1 billion it distributes to NGOs.
The House of Representatives voted to cut development aid funding by CHF 250 million.
Government development aid spending has doubled over the last 15 years.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) distributes CHF 860 million, with one-third going to Swiss NGOs and two-thirds to foreign agencies.