The shrinking of public spaces and independent and free voices, the rise of misinformation and disinformation, and the meteoric arrival of artificial intelligence in organizations and newsrooms, has led us to reaffirm our fundamentals and imagine new models for action.
Caroline Vuillemin - General Director
Humanitarian space, freedom of expression and the space for free and independent media are shrinking. “Fake news” and “deep fakes” make it more difficult to inform people objectively. All our projects can be weakened by this, and must withstand ever-increasing pressure.
Tony Burgener - Chairman of the Fondation Hirondelle Board
Highlights 2023
Volume growth of 20%
A team of 296 professionals worldwide
3 audience surveys conducted in CAR, Mali and Niger attest a trust rate of +80%
New content formats in DR Congo (Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram)
Research project on media coverage of gender-based violence
Concept note on media involvement in mediation processes
Key numbers
11
11
Media operations in 11 countries10
million regular listeners in Africa10
12067
12067
Hours of audio programmes276
276
Hours of video programmes1475491
1475491
Users of our websites1006045
1006045
Followers on Facebook and Twitter401
401
Medias supported2314
2314
People trainedOur Operations in 2023
Our Impact
I really liked the on-air coverage throughout the day. It was very professional. Keep training talented and professional journalists, so that we can all enjoy listening to local and national radio!
Chevignon Wayne Gueret, listener in Bangui, on RNL's coverage of July 30 referendum vote
I started listening to Studio Tamani in Banamba in 2019. I am now a loyal listener. I listen to all your programmes morning and evening wherever I am, as well as your Grand Dialogue debate.
Fofana Cheickné, writing on social networks
Project expenditure
| 2023 projects | in CHF |
|---|---|
| CAR | 3 276 715 |
| Niger | 2 241 210 |
| Burkina Faso | 2 066 954 |
| Mali | 1 944 114 |
| Headquarters | 1 540 738 |
| Ukraine | 1 133 250 |
| DRC | 570 302 |
| Transitional Justice | 473 570 |
| Madagascar | 435 120 |
| Myanmar | 239 946 |
| West African training against violence and extremism | 200 887 |
| Research | 156 841 |
| Tunisia | 115 636 |
| Editorial innovation | 113 703 |
| New projects | 104 079 |
| Miscellaneous projects | 71 733 |
| Pakistan | 50 841 |
| Burundi | 47 082 |
| MEAL | 40 085 |
| Benin | 9 441 |
| TOTAL | 14 832 256 |
Our 2023 Accounts
Operating account of Fondation Hirondelle (in Swiss francs)
| INCOMES | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Public funding | ||
| Switzerland | ||
| Partnership contract SDC | 3 444 175 | 3 175 300 |
| FDFA, Peace and Human Rights division | 220 977 | 57 023 |
| FEDEVACO | 70 320 | 68 100 |
| SDC mandates and project contribution | 2 330 312 | 1 695 823 |
| Other | ||
| United Nations agencies (UNICEF, UNPD) | 949 293 | 421 802 |
| Germany (GIZ + MoFA) | 480 979 | 179 340 |
| Denmark (FAMOC) | -8 292 | 267 146 |
| European Commission | 3 455 373 | 2 634 078 |
| Spain (embassy) | 10 159 | - |
| United States (embassy) | 23 805 | 13 766 |
| France (Crisis and support Centre) | 40 490 | 257 993 |
| Czech republic(MoFA) | 77 426 | 81 870 |
| United Kingdom (FCDO-UKCSS, H2H Network) | 718 349 | 91 342 |
| Sweden (SIDA) | 906 602 | 1 976 000 |
| 12 719 970 | 10 919 583 | |
| Private funding | ||
| Switzerland | ||
| Swiss Solidarity | 883 168 | 392 046 |
| Private Donors | 38 055 | 109 128 |
| Private Foundations | 665 256 | 312 382 |
| Loterie Romande | 30 000 | 30 000 |
| RTS Partnership | 75 000 | 75 000 |
| Other | ||
| Other donors | 137 381 | 449 983 |
| IFPIM | 136 374 | - |
| 1 965 234 | 1 368 540 | |
| Other products | ||
| Income from services and sales | 350 859 | 573 136 |
| 350 859 | 573 136 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 15 036 063 | 12 861 258 |
| Of which non-tied income | 467 259 | 757 264 |
| Of which tied income | 14 568 804 | 12 103 994 |
| EXPENDITURES | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Expenditure for projects | ||
| Staff | 6 816 042 | 6 160 938 |
| Operations | 5 826 406 | 4 193 754 |
| Depreciation | 649 069 | 488 736 |
| 13 291 517 | 10 843 427 | |
| Expenditure for Administration | ||
| Staff | 770 797 | 758 083 |
| Operations | 506 437 | 450 283 |
| Depreciation | 48 727 | 18 303 |
| 1 325 961 | 1 226 669 | |
| Expenditure for Fundraising and communication | ||
| Staff | 166 328 | 251 928 |
| Operations | 46 784 | 75 805 |
| Depreciation | 1 666 | 1 666 |
| 214 778 | 329 399 | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 14 832 256 | 12 399 494 |
| Operating result | 203 806 | 461 763 |
| Financial results | ||
| Financial income | 1 210 | 440 |
| Gain/Loss (-) on foreign exchange | -134 957 | 9 429 |
| -133 748 | 9 869 | |
| Exceptionnal result | ||
| Exceptionnal Expenditures (-) and Incomes | 15 346 | -10 569 |
| 15 346 | -10 569 | |
| Annual result before allocations | 85 404 | 461 063 |
| Allocations / deductions | ||
| Allocation to Unrestricted Capital | -301 872 | -461 063 |
| Withdrawal of Related Funds | 216 468 | - |
| Surplus/(deficit) for the year | - | - |