Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Amplifying all citizens’ voices, fostering good governance, preventing conflicts and the radicalization of youth, and promoting the transformative effects of migration on development are key focus areas of Helvetas’ global programs.

Helvetas’ voice, inclusion and cohesion initiatives aim for all people, including those left behind and/or living in fragility, to contribute to and benefit from more equitable, inclusive, cohesive and just societies.

Inequality, insecurity and instability are on the rise

Considering that we are working in increasingly complex, dynamic and fragile contexts, it is essential to promote good governance, social equity, social inclusion, social cohesion and social justice in all of our work and collaborations.

VIC Graphic 2025

Our work aims to empower people and strengthen systems to create more equitable and inclusive societies. This is pursued through three key pathways:

Self-empowering people
Fostering collaboration and partnerships
Strengthening systems for improved frame conditions

Ultimately, this theory posits that empowered people, accountable systems and enabling frameworks will lead to more equitable, cohesive, and just societies—especially for marginalized groups.

Our work

Helvetas works to increase voice, inclusion and cohesion in societies. It does this through three main areas:

Governance and civic space: Promotes social equity by self-empowering people to exercise their rights and access services.

Migration: Fosters social inclusion by helping migrants and displaced people participate in and benefit from society.

Conflict transformation: Builds social cohesion by supporting people in preventing and reducing conflict.

Helvetas also prioritizes gender and social equity and advocacy for human rights across all its work, recognizing that these are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive impact.

Our Expertise and Services

Through implementing large-scale projects and providing advisory services, Helvetas has accumulated a wealth of experience in addressing root causes and exploring innovate and effective ways to support voice, inclusion and cohesion. Our multilingual experts form an in-house center of excellence that provides advisory services to Helvetas country programs and projects, partner organizations, and external clients.

Learn more and contact us by clicking on one of our three working fields below.