Who we are
SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world:
A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably.
To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.
Our results in 2023
people had their lives measurably improved
hectares of arable land transitioned to sustainable land management practices
tonnes of CO2 emissions were mitigated
people gained access to basic & safely managed waste & sanitation
Addressing the root causes
For billions of people the world is unsafe, uncertain, and unpredictable. Inequity is increasing. The climate crisis is already deeply impacting the lives of those who are least resilient.
More people are living in increasingly fragile contexts. Hundreds of millions of people still lack access to energy, food and water. To counter the challenges the world faces, we need to address the root causes of poverty and inequality, at scale.
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Striving for systemic change
Today’s problems are not just technical puzzles, they represent complex systemic challenges. That is why we strive for systems transformation that goes beyond surface solutions and fighting symptoms, and that we look beyond project boundaries.
True transformation is never just one change
It starts with curiosity – asking why a problem persists. This requires sensitivity to the local context, to power dynamics and the relationships and connections between stakeholders. By being deeply rooted in the countries where we work, we have developed a solid understanding of and strong relationships with these stakeholders. We partner with them in envisioning outcomes and the processes through which change can occur, recognising that change must be locally led.
That is why we facilitate inclusive and collaborative processes at different levels – linking needs to opportunities, delivering outcomes and enabling conditions for impact. We work with a wider set of system actors, blending their and our own capacities, knowledge and innovations to craft approaches that catalyse change. We see this as an iterative process, in which we pursue multiple options, and throughout which we reflect, learn and adapt – together with our partners.
Annual report 2023
Our annual report provides a comprehensive overview of our activities throughout the past year. It covers various aspects, including financial performance, strategic initiatives, and key achievements.