SDC Outsourcing Mandate in "Mobility"

Since 1999, Skat has successfully supported SDC in transport issues. Prominent outputs are the TransWeb - the SDC knowledge portal to mobility & access, and TransNet - a Swiss CoP bringing together all sector actors in a platform for dialogue, exchange of experiences and mutual learning. SDC has been involved in mainly rural transport since 1964 and has established a recognised excellence in labour-based, environmentally friendly and participatory approaches, in strategic transport planning and in sustainable operation and management of transport systems. In order to provide an appropriate support to its thematic and geographical divisions, SDC fosters thematic partnerships with the IFRTD and Skat.

The outsourcing mandate to Skat provides the offer of SDC's mobility desk by reinforcing effectively and professionally the agency’s limited internal thematic capacities and competencies. Through this the thematic desk can provide its core functions and the relevant knowledge in mobility can be managed and made available to the wider audience in Swiss development cooperation. In the current phase, the mandate specifically builds up and maintains services in the fields of:

• Innovation & Learning (documentation center, TransWeb, capitalization, follow-up of SDC project developments, training, R&D in "Mobility and Health", etc.)
• Development of Policies & Tools (SDC policy and strategy fundamentals, tools and guidelines to mainstream new concepts, approaches and principles, etc.)
• Networking & Knowledge sharing (facilitation of TransNet, international networking, collaboration with IFRTD, mobility newsletter, etc.)
• Advisory services & Policy dialogue (advisory / policy support, Q&A service, activities on behalf of SDC, services on demand, etc.)

Skat can build on its comparative advantages like the established experiences as SDC backstopper and its familiarity with most of SDC’s mobility & transport programs, its extended and vibrant international and national networks and its recognition as a professional resource centre. The close interplay between consultancy and resource centre are further a strength allowing that a wealth of up-to-date knowledge enriches resource centre activities.