Action against HIV/AIDS in Southern African prisons
01.08.2015
- 30.09.2018
Faced with an alarming prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Southern African prisons, the SDC has undertaken to reform the prison healthcare system in Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Help is being provided to the relevant authorities in the implementation of set standards of care. The prison staff are being trained. Funding is also being provided for new infrastructure projects targeted specifically at women and young prisoners.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Southern African Development Community (SADC) |
Health
Sexually transmitted diseases incl. HIV/AIDS
Reproductive health & rights
Infectious desease
|
01.08.2015 - 30.09.2018 |
CHF 3'734'300 |
Project completed
Enabling AIDS orphans to think of their future
01.05.2012
- 31.12.2015
The region of southern Africa holds the sad record of housing the largest number of orphans in the world. Together with armed conflicts and poverty, HIV/AIDS – which can wipe out entire generations –has a major impact on the living conditions and psychological and social wellbeing of children in this part of the world. Deprivation, abuse, early and forced marriages, having to take care of siblings or sick parents, are all part of daily life here. Since 2002, a regional initiative aimed at providing psycho-social support has been trying to provide these children with hope and self-confidence.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Southern African Development Community (SADC) |
Health Education
Sexually transmitted diseases incl. HIV/AIDS
Primary health care
Basic life skills
|
01.05.2012 - 31.12.2015 |
CHF 4'875'000 |
Project completed
Maize initiative in Southern Africa
01.01.2011
- 30.09.2015
The "New Seed Initiative for Maize in Southern Africa" (NSIMA) was launched for the purpose of conducting research into drought-tolerant maize varieties that can generate bigger harvests than conventional varieties, even in less fertile soil. The ultimate aim is to achieve greater food security. At the same time, NSIMA activities involve cooperation with government and private-sector stakeholders in the maize sector to encourage seed production and trade (also for small-scale producers).
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Southern African Development Community (SADC) |
Agriculture & food security
Agricultural research
Agricultural development
|
01.01.2011 - 30.09.2015 |
CHF 2'920'000 |
Project completed
Ensuring food security for smallholder farmers with microinsurance and microcredit
01.01.2011
- 30.06.2017
Climate change has a heavy impact on food security for smallholder farmers in Zambia and Malawi. A project combining microinsurance, microfinance and measures for disaster prevention aims at strengthening their capacity to adapt. Promising results have already been seen in Ethiopia and Senegal.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Southern African Development Community (SADC) |
Agriculture & food security
Agricultural development
Agricultural research
Agriculture value-chain development (til 2016)
|
01.01.2011 - 30.06.2017 |
CHF 6'685'000 |
Planned project
FutureLife-Now!
01.01.2023
- 31.12.2030
‘FutureLife now! enhances primary HIV prevention and support treatment among young people. It will operate through schools and education systems and create synergies with health and climate change in line with Agenda 2030 and the goal to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. SDC’s longstanding commitment, acknowledged by SADC[1] Member States, is unique. It offers a distinct comparative advantage over short-term programs and is a prerequisite for systemic and positive behavioral change. [1] Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Menstrual Health Management (MHM)
15.09.2019
- 31.12.2021
Despite being the majority, young people have the worst HIV outcomes. Evidence-based, demographic and context-adapted responses are essential if ending AIDS by 2030 is to be attained. Proposed is a population level study to determine the impact of a comprehensive community based package of HIV services with a nested sub-study on Menstrual Health Management (MHM). Even though it is often neglected, MHM is crucial for women’s social inclusion, health and gender equality
Strengthening Agro-biodiversity in Southern Africa (SASA)
01.09.2019
- 31.08.2023
While governments have regional and national seed policies favourable to commercial certified seed production, these are restrictive on farmers’ seed systems that are diverse and resilient. The project capitalises on Swiss regional experiences on supporting seed systems in Southern Africa. This will include the empowerment of civil society, farmers’ organisations and governments in developing inclusive agricultural policies that ultimately contribute to sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity and improved well-being of smallholder farming communities.
Accountability in Health & Agriculture
01.07.2019
- 30.06.2023
While governments have translated regional policies on Food Security and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) into national policies, these are poorly implemented and the public lacks capacities to act effectively upon them. The project will improve the accountability and gender responsiveness of public resource management and complement the ongoing Swiss funded projects in ensuring that policy/advocacy work developed at national, regional and global levels is disseminated and implemented by relevant SADC and governmental institutions.
Scaling Up Youth Employment in Agriculture Initiative
01.08.2018
- 31.10.2023
Education systems in Southern Africa do not prepare youth for work; they cannot access or create economic opportunities and ignore the available options. The project will scale up in Southern Africa a model already tested by Switzerland in Tanzania. It will improve (self)-employment of 20’000 young women and men in Zimbabwe and Zambia by strengthening their skills and matching them with existing job opportunities, thereby contributing to the implementation of youth policies in-country and regionally.
Gender transformative SRHR Systems for Improved HIV prevention
01.04.2018
- 31.03.2021
This programme contributes to the reduction of HIV infections and the improvement of sexual and reproductive health status of adolescents and young people in five Southern African countries. It strengthens capacities of communities and governments in mapping and addressing HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs of young people and advocates for integrated regional policies and frameworks.
Regional Arts and Culture Programme (RACP)
01.01.2018
- 31.12.2021
Southern Africa has a strong artistic heritage and cultural tradition which exudes from the talent of its diverse people. However, this rich heritage has been stifled by the lack of capacity, networking and resources among artists in the region. Through this programme, Switzerland supports art organisations and individual artists in Southern Africa to bring fresh perspectives, build on available cultural resources and strengthen the arts and culture sector’s contribution to development in the region.
Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (RVAA)
01.08.2017
- 31.03.2022
The project supports the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its Member States in reducing vulnerability of households to disaster risks by increasing their preparedness for response and recovery and in strengthening their resilience. This will be achieved through institutionalising and sustaining vulnerability assessments and analyses systems that enhance emergency and developmental responses at national and regional levels.
