SDG 1: No Poverty – Weekly Insight from PINO Switzerland Inspection Body

At PINO Switzerland, we believe that sustainable development must begin with the elimination of poverty. As a private and independent inspection body, we continue to evaluate how organizations align their initiatives with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1): No Poverty. This week, our inspection and monitoring team brings forward important observations regarding the current status of this global goal and its relevance to voluntary-based certification.

Global Momentum at Risk

New data and field reports suggest that the global fight against poverty is under pressure. Despite many initiatives, progress remains slow and uneven. While some regions have made steps forward, many low- and middle-income communities are facing setbacks caused by climate disruptions, inflation, and reduced development funding. Rising costs of living and job insecurity have left millions at risk of falling back into extreme poverty.

This shift creates real challenges for the credibility and effectiveness of projects that claim to contribute to poverty reduction. From PINO Switzerland’s perspective, this is not just a policy issue—it’s a matter of verification. Our responsibility is to ensure that any programme claiming alignment with SDG 1 can demonstrate meaningful, measurable impact on the ground.

Financial Pressures on Development Projects

Over the past weeks, many certified and partner-aligned projects have reported difficulty securing sustained financial support. While international pledges are still being made in the billions, actual disbursement of funds has become uncertain. This affects inspection planning, especially for social certification projects related to microfinance, job creation, or basic service access.

We are seeing:

Reduced access to social safety nets in high-need areas
Delayed implementation of income-generating projects
Increased pressure on local partners to fill financial gaps

As inspection professionals, we take these realities into account when validating results and issuing certification conclusions.

Field Insights: What We Are Seeing

Our auditors and field partners report the following trends:

Adaptation through innovation: Community-based approaches such as local cooperatives and informal savings groups are gaining traction in the absence of large-scale aid.
Gendered impact: Women and children remain the most affected, especially in rural and post-crisis settings. Many certification schemes now include gender-sensitive audit indicators.
Digital poverty: Lack of access to connectivity and devices remains a major obstacle for those seeking jobs, education, or aid.

These observations help shape the way we update our inspection criteria and advise project leaders on meeting minimum standards under SDG 1-related certifications.

PINO Switzerland's Certification Approach

Our inspections related to SDG 1 are guided by five core principles:

Transparency – All poverty reduction claims must be backed by clear, auditable data.
Resilience – Projects must show long-term sustainability, not just short-term aid distribution.
Participation – Affected communities must be actively involved in the design and implementation of solutions.
Adaptability – We allow for flexible inspection scheduling where economic conditions shift rapidly.
Ethical Oversight – We promote fair treatment of beneficiaries and require all certified projects to follow ethical practices, especially in employment and access to basic rights.

Looking Forward

At a time when many institutions are re-evaluating their commitments to sustainability, PINO Switzerland stands firm in its mission. We do not act on behalf of any government or international agency. Instead, we serve as an independent voice, ensuring that poverty-focused initiatives meet real standards of quality, reliability, and impact.

Eliminating poverty is not just a policy vision—it is a measurable goal that must be pursued through action, verified with data, and certified with integrity.

Let us continue to support organizations that make meaningful efforts. And let us raise the bar for what it means to truly contribute to SDG 1.

#IndependentCertification

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