Ordinance on International Cooperation for the Purpose of Fighting Poverty and Strengthening Sustainable Development (VIZA) - Subject Matter and Purpose (VIZA)

1. This regulation governs the implementation of the GIZA.

2. Not covered by this regulation are, in particular

a) Scholarships for young professionals from developing countries;

b) Emergency aid in the event of natural disasters;

c) Benefits based on inter-cantonal agreements.

1. The Presidential Department is the department responsible according to § 4 GIZA, unless the Government Council decides otherwise.

1. The Executive Council periodically decides on a strategy for international cooperation for the purpose of poverty alleviation and strengthening sustainable development upon the proposal of the Department of Presidency and establishes funding priorities therein.

1. The following definitions underpin the GIZA and the present regulation

a) International cooperation for the purpose of poverty reduction and strengthening sustainable development at a global level includes activities within the framework of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, peace promotion, and human security, with a geographical focus on countries considered recipients of public development funds according to the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD-DAC).

b) Poverty is understood as a multidimensional issue that, in addition to financial aspects, can also affect other areas of life such as education, health, political participation, social recognition, cultural conditions, and protection against risks.

c) Strengthening sustainable development refers to the promotion of conditions that enable the achievement of the internationally recognized United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This particularly involves strengthening local actors, structures, and personal responsibility within the context of partnership-based collaboration, which is oriented towards participation, empowerment, and sustainable impact.

1. The Presidential Department may issue administrative provisions regarding the submission of applications and reporting, and shall publish them in an appropriate manner.

2. It may limit the permissible number of applications per applicant organization.

1. The Commission for International Cooperation is administratively assigned to the Presidential Department.

1. The Commission consists of 7 to 13 members, including the presidency.

2. The members possess expertise and experience in the field of international cooperation.

1. The government council elects the members of the commission, including the presidency, for a term of four years. Re-election is possible.

2. The commission otherwise constitutes itself.

1. The Commission shall, in particular, fulfill the following tasks

a) It advises the Government Council and the Presidential Department, particularly with regard to the strategy according to § 3 paragraph 1.

b) It assesses the applications for project or program funding submitted to it, pursuant to the following Chapter 3, based on quality criteria and evidence, and issues a written recommendation.

c) It evaluates planned social cooperations and engagements pursuant to the following Chapter 4, based on quality criteria and evidence, and issues a written recommendation.

d) It advises the Government Council and the Presidential Department concerning planned emergency aid according to the following Chapter 6 and issues a written recommendation.

1. Project contributions are financial aids to support individual projects that are clearly defined in terms of content, time, and finance.

2. Project contributions are awarded in the form of general and targeted project contributions

a) General project contributions are contributions to projects whose objectives correspond to the general funding purpose of GIZA.

b) Targeted project contributions are contributions to projects that correspond to the strategic funding priorities of the Governing Council according to § 3 para. 1 and whose objectives align with the general funding purpose of GIZA.

1. Program Contributions are financial aids to support overarching and long-term framework projects that

a) Are part of a multi-year strategy of the applicant organization, and

b) Correspond to the general promotional purpose of the GIZA in terms of their objectives.

1. Project contributions may be applied for by legal entities that meet the requirements of § 2 para. 3 GIZA.

2. Program contributions may be applied for by legal entities that meet the requirements of § 2 para. 3 GIZA and additionally

a) have their headquarters in the Basel region, and

b) are ZEWO-certified or have had average annual revenues of over five million francs in the two years prior to the application submission.

1. The granting of project and program contributions under this regulation shall occur within the framework of the budget approval as per § 6 paragraph 1 GIZA.

2. The Presidential Department decides on the granting of project and program contributions up to and including 200,000 francs annually.

1. Social Collaborations and Engagements are entered into in the form of agreements between the canton and partner institutions in selected cities, regions, or countries, to collaboratively implement projects whose objectives align with the general promotion purpose of the GIZA.

1. The decision concerning the establishment of social cooperations or commitments is made by the Government Council upon the proposal of the Presidential Department.

1. Projects and programs pursuant to Chapter 3, as well as social cooperations and engagements as per Chapter 4, are required to provide the following quality evidence

a) Impact Orientation: Initiatives must be clearly directed towards achieving tangible changes within the target groups. This includes a well-founded needs analysis and a coherent impact logic.

b) Efficient Use of Resources: The resources deployed should be proportionate to the anticipated results and impacts. This necessitates economical and appropriate use of resources, particularly concerning structural costs.

c) Sustainability: The positive effects of an initiative should persist beyond its duration. This entails mindful management of ecological, economic, social, and climate risks, sustainable financing and operational perspectives, as well as the inclusion and empowerment of local actors as responsible co-creators.

d) Transparency: The planning and implementation of initiatives must be openly and transparently documented. This is specifically achieved through clear cost and financing planning, evaluation mechanisms, and accountability reports that ensure continuous learning and steering capabilities.

**1. Immediate Assistance Under This Regulation**

Immediate assistance under this regulation is provided through timely and short-term financial support for humanitarian aid to the suffering civilian population, which includes life-saving measures and the fulfillment of basic needs.

**2. Prerequisite for Granting Immediate Assistance**

The prerequisite for granting immediate assistance under this regulation is the existence of an extraordinary emergency.

**3. Definition of an Emergency**

An emergency comprises a situation in which the survival, health, safety, or dignity of the civilian population is endangered due to wars or other human-induced crises.

**4. Extraordinary Nature of an Emergency**

An emergency is extraordinary if it arises suddenly or if it becomes acute due to a continuous threat situation.

1. Emergency assistance constitutes a subsidiary support instrument compared to the support instruments outlined in Chapters 3 and 4.

1. The decision on the provision of immediate assistance is made by the Executive Council upon the application of the Presidential Department.