HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation

Helvetas was founded on 18 June 1955 in Zürich under the name Swiss Association for Technical Assistance (German: Schweizerisches Hilfswerk für aussereuropäische Gebiete, SHAG). The organization was established by a group of Swiss citizens who sought to support economic and social development in countries outside Europe through technical cooperation and long-term partnerships.

Among the key figures behind the organization's creation were Swiss humanitarian Rodolfo Olgiati, who advocated for extending Swiss solidarity beyond post-war Europe, and social worker Regina Kägi-Fuchsmann, both of whom played important roles in shaping its early vision.

In 1965, the organization adopted the name Helvetas, reflecting its growing international engagement. Over the following decades, it expanded its activities from technical assistance to broader development cooperation, including programmes in rural development, water and sanitation, education, governance, climate resilience and economic development.

In 2011, Helvetas merged with the Swiss development organization Intercooperation, which had been founded in 1982. Following the merger, the organization adopted the name Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, combining the experience and expertise of both organizations while continuing to operate under the Helvetas brand.

As of 2026, Helvetas maintains comprehensive country programmes in 35 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern and Southeast Europe. These programmes typically comprise multiple projects addressing development cooperation and, where required, humanitarian response.

Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Tanzania

Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Eastern and Southeast Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine

Criticism and controversies

Expulsion of the Laos country director

In December 2012, the Lao government ordered the expulsion of Helvetas's country director, Anne-Sophie Gindroz, after she criticized restrictions on civil society and freedom of expression in Laos at an international development forum. The decision drew attention in Switzerland and internationally because Helvetas had been active in Laos for several decades.

According to Swissinfo, Helvetas expressed regret over the decision, sought clarification through the Swiss authorities, and stated that it intended to continue its development programmes in Laos despite the expulsion. At the time, the organization's programme in Laos had an annual budget of approximately CHF 3.4 million.

The incident highlighted the challenges faced by international development organizations operating in countries with restricted civic space and underscored the balance such organizations must strike between development cooperation and advocacy for an enabling environment for civil society.