DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance is dedicated to improving the security of states and people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
DCAF assists partner states, and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms based on international norms and good practices.
DCAF creates original knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides policy advice, and supports capacity building of security sector stakeholders.
Over the last 20 years we have worked with many valued partners, donors, friends, and supporters. Thanks to them, we expanded our work from supporting the reform of security sector institutions in Central and Eastern Europe, to working with national and international partners on reform and good governance work in more than 80 countries around the world.
Our vision is a world in which human and national security are provided within democratically governed, accountable and effective security sectors. We believe this is an essential contributor to creating sustainable peace and development.
We are thankful to our donors and partners who make our work possible. Watch their testimonials to learn why they work with us and find out how we promote good SSG/R on our dedicated web page.
Security and justice reforms are often carried out with extensive support from international actors, either through bilateral donor assistance or in the framework of cooperation with multilateral organisations. Helping bilateral and multilateral actors become better international partners in supporting SSR is a core dimension of DCAF’s work.
DCAF's advisory services support donor government and multilateral organisations through:
As one of the world’s leading centres of competence in the area of SSG/R and related matters, DCAF contributes to international discourses on development, peace and security policy, as well as to norms, standards and good practices.
DCAF’s support to policy development and good practices includes:
DCAF recognizes that a democratically run, accountable and efficient security sector is fundamental to people’s livelihoods, to reducing poverty and the risk of conflict, and creating an enabling environment for sustainable development.
DCAF has identified three main avenues of work through which it can contribute to improved human and national security within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights: i) directly supporting national partners, ii) assisting international actors and iii) contributing to international policy and knowledge development in the area of good governance of the security sector.
Many states seek support from DCAF to design and implement inclusive and participatory reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and accountability of security provision. DCAF’s work with national partners succeeds because its activities are driven by respect for national ownership, in-depth knowledge of local context and comparative experience from different regions.
DCAF supports national partners by:
Across all the areas below, DCAF brings extensive experience in strategic planning, programme management and understanding of the political context of SSR processes.