MigrationwithinSwitzerlandsInternationalCooperation

Migration within Switzerland’s International Cooperation

Due to the importance of migration as a global phenomenon, Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-23 and the Strategy on International Cooperation (IC) 2021-24 identified migration as a priority topic.

Putting Switzerland's IC Strategy with regard to migration into practice

Regular migration, which is legal, is important for the development of countries and poverty reduction. Migrants send back home remittances and bring labour supply, skills and ideas to their countries of destination. In this sense, migration brings benefits to both, the countries of destination and origin and align with Switzerland’s IC objectives. On the other hand, Switzerland has an interest to reduce irregular migration and forced displacement and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of migrants and displaced persons. Switzerland’s international cooperation (IC) therefore uses all its instruments to address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, to ensure the protection of migrants and forcibly displaced persons and to reap the potential of migration for the development of local economies.

3 levels of implementation

Political Level

Migration is systematically addressed in political consultations with countries of origin, transit, and destination to give it the necessary political weight that can bring policy change in migration-related matters. In addition, bilateral cooperation agreements, including migration partnerships are adopted.

Geographical Level

Migration-related aspects are integrated into regional and country programmes in the four Swiss IC priority regions, which include

North Africa and the Middle East,
Sub-Saharan Africa,
Central, South and South-East Asia
Eastern Europe.

Thematic Level

Migration-related projects are supported by Switzerland’s IC and foresee short-, medium-, to long-term measures.

Short-, medium- and long-term measures in the field of migration and forced displacement

1. Short-term: Emergency assistance and protection

The Swiss IC helps tackling the immediate consequences of forced displacement by protecting displaced persons and improving their general living conditions in their region of origin, transit and destination. In addition, the Swiss IC focuses on providing protection and assistance to labour migrants and victims of trafficking facing abusive recruitment practices or working conditions. The focus here lays on emergency assistance to provide access to basic services and immediate protection measures ensuring the survival and safety of people.

2. Medium-term: Integration

The Swiss IC aims to assist the local inclusion of migrants and forcibly displaced persons in the countries of first arrival by facilitating access to local basic services and livelihood opportunities, thereby enhancing their economic and social self-reliance and contributing to durable solutions.

3. Long-term: Creating prospects

The Swiss IC makes a contribution to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, including the lack of access to basic services, armed conflict, poor governance, environmental degradation and the impacts of climate change by furthering the creation of life perspectives in the global South.