Healthy finances give young people prospects

terre des hommes schweiz raised almost CHF 12 million in 2022, making it the best year for income in the history of the development policy organization. The healthy finances allow terre des hommes schweiz to continue to make a solid contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in favor of young people’s prospects. The latest annual report shows how young people in Africa, Latin America and Switzerland are bringing about positive change.

“terre des hommes schweiz is sustainably positioned and financially strong,” says Reto Mischler, Head of Communication and Fundraising, about the financial result for 2022. This is documented in the annual report and the annual financial statements for 2022, which members approved at yesterday’s Annual General Meeting in Basel. “The donations from private individuals, organizations and the public sector confirm once again this year: we enjoy a lot of trust and remain on course,” comments Reto Mischler on the record income.

Almost 440,000 young people reached worldwide

With local projects, terre des hommes schweiz and its partner organizations have reached almost 440,000 young people worldwide, 58% of whom are young women. Gabriela Wichser, Head of Programmes, writes in the annual report: “We help young people to stand on their own two feet economically in a sustainable and healthy environment and to take control of their lives – always on an equal footing and in the spirit of decolonization.” This at a time when strong civil societies and functioning democracies are under threat around the world. terre des hommes schweiz is adapting its programs by focusing on training on security plans and psychosocial support programs. “Local grassroots organizations and youth collectives in particular need support to deal with intimidation and manage the risks of their activism,” says Gabriela Wichser.

Milestone for the climate

Thanks to the great support from donors, terre des hommes schweiz was once again able to intensify its project work in Switzerland. In doing so, the organization always keeps the 2030 Agenda in mind in order to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A climate and environmental roadmap was developed together with Terre des Hommes Suisse in Geneva. This jointly sets out concrete measures to reduce the ecological footprint by 50 percent by 2030. This is “a sign of credibility for us as an organization committed to climate justice”, write Board President Dr Brigitta Gerber and Managing Director Franziska Lauper in their foreword to the annual report. In addition to the move to the kHaus am Rhein in Basel, another highlight of the past year was the 20th anniversary of the imagine festival.

Training for 66,000 children and young people

In view of the numerous interdependent crises worldwide, terre des hommes schweiz wants to remain an organization that is committed to long-term and reliable support for young people and partner organizations in the global South in the areas of health, culture of peace and sustainble livelihoods and that raises its voice in Switzerland. In 2022, terre des hommes schweiz reached almost 66,000 children and young people worldwide with training courses. Cooperation in networks and with young people is to be strengthened and decisions increasingly delegated to the program countries. Dr. Brigitta Gerber and Franziska Lauper write: “We want to retain the manoeuvrability of a medium-sized ferry and not get caught up in the waters of the big tankers. The basis for this is ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization through prudent planning and the efficient use of financial resources.”