Community of Practice for Swiss INGOs

Project | June 24, 2025

The IAG team of CBM Switzerland is facilitating a Community of Practice (CoP) on Disability Inclusive International Cooperation for Swiss international NGOs (INGOs). 

This initiative aims to support members to implement best practices in disability inclusion and stay informed about the latest tools and evidence. The CoP provides a collaborative space where participants can share knowledge, apply inclusive practices, and engage with the disability movement in meaningful ways. It also fosters connections between INGOs and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), encouraging mutual learning and peer support.

Currently there are five members: FAIRMED, Welthungerhilfe, Swisscontact, Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), and Mission Evangelique Braille (MEB).

The CoP meets three to four times a year, with each 2.5-hour session focusing on a topic proposed by members. Sessions combine expert input with interactive discussions, including Q&A and joint problem-solving. 

As facilitator of the CoP, our Switzerland team ensures the quality of tools and inputs, manages logistics and ensures the active participation of OPDs.

Since its inception in March 2024, the CoP has led to some tangible strengthening of inclusion practices. Members have begun consulting with OPDs; applied CBM Global’s Gender and Disability Toolkit in their GEDSI analyses; and integrated disability inclusion indicators into their projects. 

“I am more sensitized on the topic and see better what the aspects are to take into account. I have always forwarded the main take-aways from the session to our internal GESI network, where I received reactions that this was useful. I like the way the CoP is organised at the moment. I think it is good to have first a theoretical, webinar-like input, and then an interactive part. The interactive part I found very good.” CoP member, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) focal point at a Swiss INGO 

“Your support and guidance were incredibly helpful and I truly valued your insights. The presentation of my co-facilitator was not only inspiring but also sparked so many new ideas for me. I learned a great deal and can’t wait to put these insights into action in my organization’s future projects. Thank you both for making this experience enjoyable and productive.”   Disability Expert from Malaysia, OPD member and co-facilitator of a CoP sessions 

Check out this website to find out more about CBM Switzerland’s IAG work.

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https://cbm-global.org/project/swiss-ingos-community-of-practice

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