Finances

Our main financial support comes from donations, sponsorships and legacies. Programmes abroad receive financial support from the SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) which is part of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs. Individual projects are also financed by Swiss Solidarity.

In order to be able to continue its activities in case of insecure or irregular funding, the Foundation intends to build up organisational capital (endowment fund and reserves) representing at least half and at most twice its annual expenditure. This this done by way of financial investment. Our investment strategies are very conservative and strongly reflect the requirements laid down in the Swiss legislation on occupational pension schemes (BVG). Approximately 80 percent of our securities are invested in a sustainable manner.

Project related donations are used in the year they were made.

The annual accounts have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers and approved by the Foundation Council. The auditor's report and detailed annual accounts are available from us on request.