Helvetas is committed to a just world in which all people determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner. Helvetas is an independent organization for development based in Switzerland with affiliated organizations in Germany and the United States. Helvetas supports poor and disadvantaged people and communities in almost 40 developing and transitional countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

Together with its partners, Helvetas tackles global challenges at various levels: with projects on the ground, with expert advice, and by advocating for conducive framework conditions benefiting the poor. This triple commitment is empowering people and transforming lives. Helvetas follows a multi-stakeholder approach by linking civil society actors, governments, and the private sector.

Helvetas is active in the following areas: water, food and climate, education, jobs and private sector development, governance, gender, and social equity. Helvetas engages in emergency relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. In addition to rural areas, Helvetas is increasingly involved in urban development and is focusing its work on young people.

In Switzerland, Helvetas promotes solidarity and participates in the dialogue on development policy.

Its vision is of a just world in which all people determine the course of its lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.

Its mission:

- It supports poor and disadvantaged people and communities in developing and transitional countries in their efforts to improve their living conditions.

- Through development cooperation, it supports people in improving their livelihoods themselves in a sustainable manner.

- It promotes equitable access to the resources and services necessary for life, and thus contributes to overcoming the root causes of poverty.

- It upholds the protection and promotion of social, economic, political, environmental, and cultural rights and responsibilities, and seeks to ensure their practical implementation.

- It supports its partners in engaging in development policy issues.

- It advocates for a coherent Swiss foreign and economic policy, responsive to the needs of people in developing and transition countries.

- It accompanies and supports its partners on a long-term basis.

Its fundamental values:

- Its engagement is based on solidarity and partnership.

- It works towards achieving human rights and upholding the principle of self-determined development.

- It is committed to social equity and strives for equal opportunities for all people, regardless of age, origin, language, religion, culture, or political convictions.

- Its collaboration with its partners is based on mutual respect for cultural values and principles.

- It stands for development that balances economic viability, environmental appropriateness, and social benefits.