Development cooperation

Development cooperation

Kynnys’ development cooperation aims at improving the status of persons with disabilities in developing countries and to ensure the realization of the human rights of persons with disabilities. Both Kynnys and its partners in developing countries are organizations run by persons with disabilities, where individuals with various disabilities are themselves the actors and experts in their work. Kynnys has been engaged in development cooperation since the late 1980s.

The key principles of Kynnys' development cooperation are:

  • Our work is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
  • Persons with disabilities themselves work for the realization of their rights. The partnership between persons with disabilities in the Global South and the Global North is strengthened through experience sharing and peer support. The "Nothing about us without us" principle strongly guides our work.
  • The central themes of development cooperation projects are independent living and the empowerment of women with disabilities.

Kynnys is involved in six development cooperation projects across three continents

  • Empowerment of women with disabilities in Ethiopia (Ethiopia)
  • Empowerment of women with disabilities in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan)
  • Support for human rights and independent living for persons with disabilities in Bosnia (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
  • Promoting SRHR for women and girls with disabilities and combating gender-based violence (Malawi)
  • Promotion of sexual rights for persons with disabilities (Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Nepal) (through collaboration with Family Federation of Finland)
  • Empowerment of students with disabilities and promotion of inclusive education in universities (Ethiopia) (through collaboration with National Union of University Students in Finland)

Kynnys’ development cooperation is part of the Disability Partnership, a development cooperation program involving different Finnish disability organizations, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In addition, Kynnys participates as a partner in other projects.

In its development cooperation projects, Kynnys collaborates with organizations such as The Martha Association, the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) and the Family Federation of Finland.