About us
SKAT is an owner-operated Swiss company specialising in international cooperation. With 48 years of experience in Switzerland and in over 100 countries, we offer high-quality, results-driven services.
Vision & Mission
Skat Consulting Ltd. is an owner-operated Swiss company specialising in international cooperation.
SKAT is dedicated to ensuring dignified living conditions and a healthy environment for all.
With over 45 years of experience in Switzerland and in over 100 countries, we offer high-quality, results-driven services. SKAT supports governments, the private sector and civil society in Switzerland and around the globe in improving lives by facilitating lasting solutions in Water, Energy, Building and Governance.
our values
Our multidisciplinary team brings together decades of experience in water management, energy, climate, and governance. We are committed to delivering impactful, innovative solutions for communities and organisations worldwide.
organisation structure
Our multidisciplinary team brings together decades of experience in water management, energy, climate, and governance. We are committed to delivering impactful, innovative solutions for communities and organizations worldwide.
& consultancy staff
& consultancy staff
Rwanda/DRC
Contracting / HR / ICT /
Internal Services
Our Story
Today, SKAT is a Swiss company working in water, energy, building, and governance both in Switzerland and internationally. Nearly 50 years after our founding, we know that lasting solutions need more than technical expertise. They depend on a deep understanding of local context and strong partnerships with people and institutions.
Our work is of continued relevance in a changing global landscape. We stay rooted in the practical, field-based approach that has shaped our work from the start. It has not always been easy, but we have learned, adapted, and grown along the way to offer Swiss quality services tailored to the needs of our clients.
1978
Established as university offshoot
SKAT was founded by the University of St. Gallen, originally as the “Swiss Centre for Customised Technologies”. The abbreviation of the German translation “Schweizerische Kontaktstelle für Angepasste Technik” gave us our name - SKAT. The initial purpose was as a resource centre to document and make accessible the experiences of Swiss organizations involved in international cooperation. The focus was on the introduction and scaling up of appropriate technologies for water, building, energy and transportation.
Early 1990s
From documentation to action
SKAT evolved from a resource centre to offering more complex consultancy on knowledge transfer. This shift meant working directly with clients rather than documenting what others had done.
1997
Becoming Skat Consulting Ltd.
The Skat Association was transformed into Skat Consulting Ltd, adapting to a shifting funding landscape and becoming more flexible and dynamic as a private company.
2000 and 2010s
Expanding beyond technical solutions and opening our first field offices
SKAT gradually expanded its approach from a traditional focus on technical aspects to include governance perspectives, systemic impacts, and national sector reforms. SKAT also developed competencies in renewable energies and climate.
SKAT started implementing larger and longer-term development projects, and opened project offices in several countries, including in Ukraine and in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
2002 – 2021
From co-founding to collaboration - the Skat Foundation journey
Skat Consulting Ltd, together with other partners, founded the Skat Foundation. The Skat Foundation conducted knowledge management and network activities, such as hosting the Rural Water Supply Network. Skat Consulting Ltd provided staff, expertise, administration and financial support to the Skat Foundation. Since 2021, the two organisations have operated as financially and organisationally independent entities, although they continue to collaborate on selected projects. Find out more: www.skat-foundation.ch
2018
Forty years anniversary
Our 40th anniversary marked four decades of steady growth in Swiss development cooperation. Our anniversary video and anniversary brochure capture what SKAT stood for at the time, presented by our team members, and sharing stories from the field.
2019-2025
New ownership and leadership structure to create lasting impact and partnerships
Over the past few years, SKAT has established its current ownership and management structure, ensuring continuity while bringing in fresh perspectives to create lasting impact for and with our partners. SKAT is a limited company, with shares held primarily by current employees and our Board of Directors. Owning our company brings a unique sense of commitment and purpose.
Publications
jobs
We are dedicated to ensuring dignified living conditions and a healthy and safe environment for all. We want to be outstanding in achieving sustainable impact, creating added value for the societies we work in and for our clients.
We are a leading owner-operated Swiss company working globally to support governments, the private sector and civil society to improve lives. We facilitate lasting and comprehensive solutions working across the water, building, energy and governance sectors. We bring deep thematic knowledge, project management expertise and established networks.
what we offer
We have built a lean organisation with a strong team culture based on mutual trust, respect, and collaboration. Our flexible working arrangements include home office options and part-time employment, with our Sankt Gallen office conveniently located just three minutes from the railway station. We provide competitive benefits including 25-30 days of annual leave and a comprehensive workplace pension. The work we offer is multifaceted and comes with significant personal responsibility. We seek curious, open-minded professionals who treasure the Swiss work ethic and are committed to delivering pragmatic, tailor-made solutions in the development sector. Our employees are encouraged to participate as company shareholders, reflecting our collaborative approach to business. We operate according to our Code of Conduct, which reflects our foundational values of integrity, continuous learning, and going the extra mile for our clients. All team members are expected to uphold these principles both professionally and personally.