The Swiss Water Partnership (SWP) is a formal multi-stakeholder platform bringing together around 70 Swiss organisations from academia, civil society, public and private sectors, with the goal to contribute to solving global water challenges by developing and implementing innovative solutions for water challenges in developing and transition countries. Its vision is to be a globally recognized Swiss platform of high-quality transdisciplinary water solutions.

Since its launch in 2012, Skat Consulting is an essential part of the SWP Secretariat. We support the management of the SWP by ensuring implementation of the SWP action plan by establishing partnerships for collaboration, managing events, communication and supporting customer acquisition & retention as well as facilitating steering board meetings and general assemblies.

As the Secretariat’s Youth Focal Point, SKAT leads the SWP’s branch dedicated to young people (SWP Youth). This includes the management of a global youth community of over 500 members and partners, coordinating online and in-person capacity building programmes as well as networking and mentorship initiatives with the goal to enable and encourage youth up to 31 y/o to build a career in water. SC also supports the steering committee in developing an updated strategy for youth empowerment.

Swiss Water Partnership / Helvetas

Helvetas

The Sustainable Reconstruction Demonstration Project in Ukraine aims to identify and prepare a pilot renovation of a conflict-damaged public building, focusing on energy and material efficiency. This initiative responds to the urgent need for reconstruction while aligning with broader environmental and development goals of Ukraine. As part of SDC’s 2025–2028 Ukraine programme, the project embraces a “build back better” approach, supporting both humanitarian relief and sustainable development. During the preparatory phase (Phase I), Skat together with HEKS/EPER assessed and shortlisted suitable buildings based on predefined criteria, conducted architectural assessments, and developed a preliminary scope of work and cost estimates. The project also evaluated supply chains for reused construction materials. A key outcome is the selection of one building for a detailed Phase II proposal. Skat’s role included project management and technical coordination, with the broader goal of promoting the replication of sustainable reconstruction practices in Ukraine.

SDC(Program funding by Swiss Development Cooperation)

HEKS/EPER

This mandate provides technical expertise to support the Swiss constituency in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Executive Council. The service ensures that key GEF projects and programs across all focal areas (climate, biodiversity, desertification, chemicals, international waters) are reviewed by additional specialists with international environmental project knowledge, enabling the Swiss delegation to contribute to high-quality GEF initiatives through informed assessments and positions.

Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU

INFRAS AG (the lead organisation and Skat serving as partner in this case)

Through SDC's global programmes, Switzerland aims to establish universally recognised standards helping to resolve global challenges at the core of sustainable development. Against this backdrop, the Section Water (SW, former Global Programme Water - GPW) contributes to the reduction of global water-related risks and the realisation of a water-secure world. The SW acts as bridge builder, positions water issues on the international agenda, and harnesses Swiss expertise to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all: it triggers policy changes on all levels and influences the international normative framework as well as practices.

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

HELVETAS Swiss IntercooperationZoï Environment Network

The overall project goal of Ma Implic Phase 2 is to contribute to "the population of Moldova benefits from improved local governance and better access and quality of public services (such as water, sanitation, waste, lighting)". To this end, the project supports different stakeholders to improve three fundamental dimensions of a well-functioning local government unit: Outcome 1: Partner Local Public Administrations (LPAs) groups manage resources and local development in a more sustainable, inclusive and accountable way.Outcome 2: The Government promotes and coordinates the LG reform in an efficient, effective and transparent manner.Outcome 3: People in partner communities meaningfully engage in local governance processes and influence the provision of local public services.EnEff and ApaNeff: These additional credits focus on improving energy efficiency and water supply systems in rural areas of Moldova. The energy efficiency component enhances energy efficiency in houses and public buildings and through information and capacity building measures, while the water supply component strengthens rural water supply systems and integrates sustainable energy measures to improve resource management and access to clean water.

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Launched in 2019, the Program aims at establishing over a twelve-year period a functional framework for the sustainable management, protection, and use of the water resources in Kosovo endowed with the necessary institutional capacities and people’s skills. Based on its performance in intervention design (inception phase) and the first phase of implementation, Skat in association with the Environment Agency Austria (EAA) is mandated to implement the subsequent Phase 2 of the IWRM-K Program. Under Skat lead and general management, the coming five years of the Program will deploy a demonstrational innovation, capacity strengthening and institutional development approach catalysing the framework, knowledge, processes, tools, and resources needed to achieve the objectives of the country’s River Basin Management Plans and their Programmes of Measures as key element shaping its sustainable water management agenda.

SDC – Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo

Associate: Environment Agency Austria (EAA)

ApaSan28 builds on the success of its predecessors, ApaSan (2009–2019) and ApaSan+ (2020–2024), to tackle critical rural water and sanitation challenges in Moldova. The project focuses on improving access to safe drinking water and household sanitation through sustainable and decentralized solutions. It also aims to empower local authorities and regional operators to provide quality services while promoting the adoption of decentralized sanitation systems as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.With the goal of enhancing living conditions for rural populations, the project targets approximately 5–10 villages, benefiting over 10,000 people, including vulnerable groups. By constructing or rehabilitating water supply systems and piloting septic tanks with faecal sludge treatment, ApaSan28 serves as a scalable model for rural WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) solutions. The project also aligns with Moldova's national development strategies and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 for water and sanitation.

Austrian Development Agency (ADA)

Fundatia Centrul Moldo-Elvetian pentru Cooperare Skat

The ApaNeff project is a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing critical water supply and energy efficiency needs in rural Moldova. The project focuses on enhancing water infrastructure, improving and energy efficiency for local public authorities and rural households and promote renewable energy solutions. Through technical expertise, capacity building, and tailored interventions, the project contributes to climate change mitigation and resilience and to improved living conditions for residents, ensuring long-term impact. This project is an extension (Additional Credit) of the "Ma Implic" Local Governance Project, Phase 2 (2023–2027).

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Fundatia Centrul Moldo-Elvetian pentru Cooperare Skat

Although groundwater in North Macedonia is of high strategic importance (e.g. as source of 77% of the drinking water supply), it has not been recognised as such and is therefore not adequately used, managed and protected. The responsible institutions do not have sufficient and adequate capacity; there is a lack of background information, knowledge and tools for the protection, planning and monitoring of water resources and the legal framework is incomplete. In addition, low awareness of the status of water is reflected in low public pressure and weak mobilisation of the public and civil society on groundwater management issues.

The Swiss-funded Groundwater Management, Use and Protection Programme (GWP) aims to build long-lasting water governance capacities at national and local levels so that North Macedonia can take appropriate and effective actions to sustainably manage its water resources to achieve its social and economic development goals while avoiding irreversible degradation of its aquifer systems. The overall objective of the GWP is to strengthen relevant authorities and raise awareness among civil society to implement the provisions of an integrated framework coherent with the requirements of the EU environmental acquis for the sustainable management of water resources in a changing climate.

Phase 1 is designed to establish the basis for a long-term transformation of surface and groundwater management. The development of the Vardar River Basin Management Plan, covering about 80% of the total water bodies (68 out of 80 municipalities with around 86% of country population), will be used as the main tool, for capacity development of national and local institutions and awareness raising.

SDC – Embassy of Switzerland in North Macedonia

Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP)

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MoAFWE)

Hydrometeorological Services (HMS)

Ministry of Health (MoH)

Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Re-sources (MoEMMR)

Geological Survey (GS)

Civica Mobilitas

Association of the Units of Local Self-Government in North Macedonia (ZELS)

National Association of Providers of Communal Services (ADKOM)

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Ohers: Academia, Civil Society Organisation, Large private and industry companies

Switzerland has been promoting efficient water use, strengthening institutions, and fostering cross-border collaboration, particularly in its priority countries Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in Central Asia for over two decades. The Swiss Cooperation Programme 2026-2029 will likely reaffirm Switzerland’s continued commitment to the region’s development pathways in the water domain. It will consolidate and build on important advances in the water sector made in the three countries while prioritizing high-impact initiatives that further Switzerland’s regional approach to address water management issues in Central Asia. A number of Swiss flagship initiatives in the region are coming to an end in 2026/2027 and a knowledge consolidation is required to serve as a foundation of the development of a new regional water-related program. 

SDC – Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan