Development and cooperation

Through international cooperation, the Canton of Basel-Stadt promotes poverty reduction and the strengthening of sustainable development at a global level. Find out more below about the principles of funding and how you can apply for funding for your project.

Lab technician measuring liquid in a laboratory. — The support provided by the Canton of Basel-Stadt enables, for example, important medical facilities to be established in low- and middle-income countries.
© © External Affairs and Marketing

On this page

Principles of funding

With the entry into force of the new Act on International Cooperation for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development (GIZA), the Canton of Basel-Stadt will expand its funding from 2026 onwards. By 2029, the funds will gradually increase to 0.7% of tax revenue – around 19.5 million Swiss francs.

Organisations active in international cooperation may apply for project and programme funding from 2026 onwards for initiatives that contribute both to poverty reduction and to strengthening sustainable development at the global level.

Proposals are assessed by the Commission for International Cooperation on the basis of the quality criteria of impact orientation, efficiency, sustainability and transparency. There is no legal entitlement to funding.

Legal framework

The Canton of Basel-Stadt’s international cooperation is founded on the following legal provisions:

Gesetz über die internationale Zusammenarbeit zwecks Armutsbekämpfung und Stärkung der nachhaltigen Entwicklung (GIZA) Staatsbeitragsgesetz Basel-Stadt

Programme Contributions

Programme contributions may be requested by non-profit organisations headquartered in the Basel region that either hold a ZEWO certification or have average annual revenues exceeding five million Swiss francs*. Programme contributions can be applied for with a maximum duration of up to four years.

Next submission deadline: 1 March 2026

Application process: Detailed information on application requirements and necessary documents will be published here shortly.

Project Contributions

Non-profit organisations based in Switzerland may apply for project contributions with a maximum duration of up to four years.

Next submission deadlines: 1 April and 1 September 2026

Application process: Project applications can only be submitted via the online form during the submission window. Detailed information on the submission window, application requirements and necessary documents will be published here shortly.

Funded projects
List of projects that have been funded in the past.

Reporting

The organisations awarded until the end of 2025 must report on the use of funds within three months of the end of project or the project phase funded by the Canton of Basel-Stadt. A new project application can only be submitted once the accountability report has been approved.

Formal requirements

The following formal requirements must be met when reporting:

Requirement	Description
Submission deadline	Three months after the end of the project phase supported by the Canton of Basel-Stadt.
Accountability report	Accountability reports can be written in German, English or French. Please use this template for your report: German, French, English.
Submission of the accountability report	The accountability report must be submitted electronically via the online form. Accountability reports that reach us by email will not be considered.

Online form «Accountability report»

* These eligibility restrictions are subject to the Government’s decision on the implementing ordinance.

Contact