The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation. The goal of development cooperation is that of reducing poverty.

It is meant to foster economic self-reliance and state autonomy, to contribute to the improvement of production conditions, to help in finding solutions to environmental problems, and to provide better access to education and basic healthcare services. SDC carries out its activities with an annual budget of CHF 1.73 billion (2011) and a staff of some 600 people in Switzerland and abroad, as well as 1000 local employees. The Agency engages in direct operations, supports programmes of multilateral organizations, and helps to finance programmes run by Swiss and international relief organizations in four operational areas: Regional Cooperation, Global Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).