Organisation

Swisscontact is committed to principles of good governance for responsible management, control, and communication. The Foundation adheres to the principles set out in the ZEWO standards and fulfils the Swiss GAAP FER 21 guidelines for charitable and social non-profit organisations.

Our corporate governance principles are specified in various documents; these include our Foundation Certificate, Rules of Organisation and Code of Conduct. In 2019 a Whistleblowing Guideline was added.

Revision of the statutes and rules of organisation 

Our statutes have remained largely unchanged since 1996. At its session on 16 May 2019, the Foundation Council passed a revised version, with the objective of reducing the statutes to a minimum and working out details in the Rules of Organisation. This revision also provided the possibility to update terminology. Accordingly, the purpose of the organisation, which had not changed since being founded, was not adapted in terms of content. However, its wording was modified to reflect today’s activities and fine-tuned ever so slightly. Now the possibility to establish private subsidiaries is specified explicitly. Likewise, a new clause was added to the statutes on the renewal and diversity of the Foundation Council as well as imposing a term limit of 12 years for all Council members (this had applied previously only to members of the Foundation Board). The new statutes in the meantime have been approved by the Swiss Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations. 

Our Rules of Organisation are based on the statutes and have undergone revision as well. The tasks and skills of the Executive Board have been rendered clearer and more straightforward. Both the Finance and Audit Committee and Nomination and Remunerations Committee are now described and regulated in the Rules of Organisation for the first time. The tasks and skills of the Executive Board have undergone revision and been adapted to reflect today’s context, as have the passages on rules and tools for management. The stipulations regarding subsidiaries (e.g. Swisscontact Services AG and Swisscontact North America Ltd.) have been updated to reflect current realities. The reference to the Swiss NPO-Code was removed as it no longer exists.

Swisscontact Services AG

The Swisscontact Foundation is the 100% shareholder of an incorporated company, headquartered in Zürich, and in accordance with Art. 620 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The company's activities are subsidiary to the charitable activities of Swisscontact, i.e. it only becomes active to the extent that the Foundation does not wish or is unable to perform a task within the scope of the foundation’s purpose. The company provides services and takes on specific tasks – particularly for studies, consultancies, trainings and project implementation. The company may decide to pay out dividends to support the non-profit Swisscontact Foundation and only to the Foundation. In turn, the Foundation can use the dividends only for non-profit purposes. In 2019, Swisscontact‘s Services AG entity acquired the Springfield Centre for Development (SFC) in England. SFC remains an independent subsidiary.

Transparency

Swisscontact is committed to reporting on its activities accurately and transparently. Our website explains our mission, strategic focus and work – clearly and comprehensively. We remain committed to reliable and transparent financial reporting, with the financial report publicly available on our website.

Compliance

All employees are bound by legal regulations and our internal guidelines. Compliance with the Swisscontact Code of Conduct is mandatory for all members of the Foundation Board, employees and subcontractors. Internal rules, processes, proven methods and procedures are accessible to all Swisscontact employees via our Intranet.

Risk management

Swisscontact is committed to developing its internal risk management system continuously in order to minimise risks. With an IT-based, comprehensive project management tool, the standards of quality, costs, deadlines and project risks can be checked regularly. Furthermore, risks and controlling are monitored at both the country and organisational levels, and this is where the Management Board can react quickly and decisively if necessary. The Foundation Board and an external auditor review the risk management and internal controlling system each year.

Staff

The abilities and readiness for action of our employees are decisive for our projects’ ability to achieve sustainable impact, as well as our long-term success. As an attractive employer, Swisscontact invests in a positive management and work culture. This is defined by our fundamental understanding of development intended to serve not only our beneficiaries in project countries but our employees as well.