• How we work

Methodology in Action

Since 2003, Suyana has pursued its mission to empower individuals and rural communities. Leveraging our extensive experience alongside the expertise of our local teams and partners, we identify and address local needs collaboratively, fostering profound local ownership.

Empowering through Capacity Building

At Suyana we believe in enabling individuals to develop their capacities while supporting public institutions to fulfil their responsibilities, promoting shared ownership and progress.

Our programs emphasize local ownership and holistic approaches, ensuring communities are active participants in their own development journey.

Strategic Partnerships and Self-Developed Programs

Combining the best approaches to reach impactful, long-term results, we foster multiyear partnerships with experienced, reliable, and like-minded organizations; Simultaneously, we develop and implement our own projects, following a meticulous and structured plan.

Through diverse operational models and context-specific methodologies, we engage with the local communities and official entities, fostering sustainable outcomes that resonate within communities for years to come.

Project Contribution

Primarily financial support (including grants and loans) to local initiatives and partners

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Project Contribution Example – Empowering Communities in Europe

In Switzerland, Suyana supports Swiss farmers in preserving their livelihoods while concurrently addressing youth unemployment and fostering career development through educational initiatives.

In Greece, we address critical challenges such as limited healthcare access for refugees and vulnerable groups. Through a robust collaboration with a local organization operating a mobile clinic, we provide essential eye care to underserved populations.

Technical Advisory

In addition to financial support, Suyana provides technical expertise to partners

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Technical Advisory Example – Enriching Lives in Africa

In Uganda, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, Suyana focuses on improving education and livelihood opportunities in marginalized communities. Through partnerships with local organizations, we empower communities to enhance economic resilience and break the cycle of poverty.

Suyana through Implementation

Suyana fully funds and implements the project locally with own teams on an operational level

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Suyana Implementation Example – Transforming Communities in the Andes

In the Andean countries of Bolivia and Peru, our projects are carefully designed and implemented by our local teams. Over a three-year period, these initiatives address poverty, promote economic development, and improve living conditions while enhancing education and healthcare access.

Utilizing specially equipped vehicles, our teams – comprising a doctor, dentist, educational specialist, and agronomist – reach remote rural communities with limited access to basic services. Operating in these communities for 24 consecutive days during seven interventions per year, we provide essential assistance and collaborate closely with individuals to meet project goals.

Thanks to the strong community involvement and partnerships with local municipalities, our projects create a meaningful and sustainable impact.

Project Selection and Implementation

Our projects are carefully selected based on predefined criteria and a meticulous assessment of local requirements. The mentioned criteria include poverty rates, health issues prevalence, education standards, access to services and transport, stakeholder commitment, and support from other institutions.

A systematic approach, evolving in 4 stages, ensures that every project, whether through partnerships or self-development, is designed for sustained impact, leaving a lasting positive legacy in the communities we serve.

1 Design & Development

In this phase, we thoroughly assess local situations and specific needs, crafting a comprehensive project plan tailored to the community’s requirements.

2 Resource Mobilisation

Here, we enter into local ownership agreements, providing technical expertise while deploying global partnerships and fund alliances to ensure project success.

3 Project Implementation

We adopt an incremental approach in this phase, promoting steady and sustainable growth as we implement the project within the community.

4 Learning & Evaluation

After project implementation, we monitor and analyse collected data, evaluate all efforts, and adapt strategies for continuous progress toward intended objectives.

Meaningful Efforts

Ours is a purpose-driven journey. Suyana’s resources and efforts are used to generate a meaningful and long-lasting impact on individuals, families and whole communities.

By integrating design and development with a strategic resource mobilization, our approach focuses on effective project implementation, continuous learning and scalable impact. This involves monitoring each phase of a project in order to ensure progress toward intended objectives.

Suyana’s Impact Model

In each step, we remain steadfast in our collective commitment to meaningful difference. Together with partners and supporters, our road to impact becomes a testament to the enduring power of compassion and purpose.

1 Input

Our inputs, rooted in robust partnerships, 20+ years of expertise, local resources ownership, and steadfast core values, serve as building blocks, shaping the foundation’s identity, and catalyse sustainable, locally led projects.

2 Output

Our outputs, transcend mere interventions. They embody dynamic, holistic solutions addressing unique community needs and ensuring communities are active participants in their own development. Whether through partnerships, technical guidance, or direct implementation, we strive to empower communities to address challenges sustainably.

3 Outcome

Our commitment materializes in outcomes: elevated education, enhanced healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods, creating tangible, positive and scalable transformations.

4 Impact

The ultimate impact of our journey is reflected in lives of dignity and self-reliance. Beyond statistics, we strive for lasting change, empowering individuals, and communities to shape resilient and dignified lives.

MEAL

Through a robust MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning) framework, we measure the progress of our programs, the outputs, and outcomes. We believe the true challenge, however, lies in iterating and scaling this information to continuously realize meaningful change within the communities and our foundation.

Our commitment to MEAL emphasizes our dedication to transparency, accountability, and continuous learning for enhanced philanthropic effectiveness.

Monitoring

Continuous and systematic collection and analysis of data on project progress and changes in the project context

Evaluation

Output/ outcome-driven assessment of the design, implementation and results of an ongoing or completed project

Accountability

Commitment to respond to and balance the needs of all project stakeholders (incl. donors, partners and the organization itself)

Learning

Embed processes for internal reflection – using data and asking questions to make smarter project decisions

Commitment to Transparency

The Suyana Foundation is committed to honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency in all our operations. As a recognized, tax-exempted foundation in Switzerland, Peru, and Bolivia, we uphold rigorous standards of accountability and ethical practice. Through our firm commitment to transparency, we strive to build and maintain trust with our community, supporters, and partners, ensuring that every action we take aligns with our core values of integrity and accountability.

Independent Audits and Regulatory Compliance

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Independent Audits and Regulatory Compliance

Every year, independent auditors meticulously review our financial records, providing a clear and accurate assessment of our fiscal responsibility. This thorough examination ensures that our supporters and partners can trust in the integrity of our financial management.

Additionally, we operate under the vigilant oversight of local regulatory authorities in Switzerland, Peru, and Bolivia. Their supervision reinforces our dedication to compliance with legal standards and ethical conduct, further strengthening the trust placed in us by our stakeholders.

Continuous Disclosure

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Continuous Disclosure

We prioritize transparent communication by regularly uploading new information on what we do to our platforms. This includes detailed annual reports that offer insights into our diverse activities, providing a comprehensive overview of our donation’s income and the impact we make in communities around the world.

Funding Transparency

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Funding Transparency

We take our responsibilities seriously, and through thorough financial management, we emphasize that each donation is strategically utilized to maximize its impact on our projects. We are proud to ensure that 100% of funding from donations are directly and fully allocated to projects.

To ensure operational sustainability, personnel costs and other operational expenses are covered by the foundation’s capital and returns on investments.

These costs are then redistributed: 79% of foundation costs are directly related to projects, 12% support our resource mobilization efforts, and 9% are administrative overhead expenses. This allocation ensures efficient resource utilization, reinforcing our steadfast commitment to achieving our resource mobilization ambitions and fulfils our mission.

At Suyana, transparency is not just a practice; it’s a value that guides our every action. We welcome feedback and regularly update information about our resource mobilization endeavours, our donor interactions and their contributions whilst safeguarding data protection laws and regulations. We invite you to explore our reports and updates, empowering you to be an informed advocate for positive change.