Second Swiss Contribution to the Czech Republic

(status: November 2025)

The Swiss-Czech Cooperation Programme (2023–2029) aims to reduce economic and social disparities in the Czech Republic while strengthening bilateral ties. Building on the success of the first Swiss Contribution and pursuant to a Framework Agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and the Czech Government, Switzerland provides CHF 76.9 million, with an additional 15% co-financing from Czechia. It focuses on four key areas where Czechia has expressed demand and Switzerland can leverage its expertise: biodiversity and sustainable tourism, health, migration, and research.

The four programmes are coordinated by Czech ministries and implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, including local authorities, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and Swiss partners. The overall coordination is managed by the Czech Ministry of Finance, in close cooperation with the Swiss Contribution Office in Prague.

Assisting migrants to integrate into the Czech Republic

The programme supports the integration of migrants from Ukraine and other third countries into Czech society, while enhancing their contributions to the economy. It funds activities such as legal and financial advice, psychosocial support, and community integration. The programme also helps migrants find jobs that match their skills, including through the establishment of a platform for recognising qualifications. The Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs oversees this programme.

Czech-Swiss Research Infrastructure Initiative

The Czech-Swiss Research Infrastructure Initiative aims to strengthen the Czech Republic's position in European and international research landscapes while enhancing bilateral research cooperation. It supports collaborative projects between Czech and Swiss researchers within multi-country research networks and promotes the integration of the Czech Republic's Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) into global research efforts. Coordinated by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the programme involves numerous Swiss partners. Through the practical outcomes of funded basic and applied research, it benefits not only the research community but also broader Czech and Swiss societies.

Home-based healthcare

The programme aims to strengthen home-based healthcare in the Czech Republic through several interrelated approaches: enhancing coordination between health and social care providers, improving the efficiency and quality of homecare services, and reinforcing the national framework for managing (provider networking, data collection, service classification) and funding (reimbursement model) these services. Managed by the Czech Ministry of Health, the programme benefits from the expertise of specialized Swiss partners, who also learn from the advanced Czech experience in homecare.

Sustainable Tourism and Enhancing Biodiversity

The goal of the programme is to address two main causes of biodiversity decline: landscape fragmentation and excessive tourism. The first pillar focuses on improving water and land connectivity for species populations, as well as enhancing landscape permeability and stability. The second pillar targets more effective management of visitor flows and their impact on ecosystems in protected areas. The programme finances both infrastructure (e.g., visitor centers, nature trails) and "soft" measures such as species monitoring and tourism awareness campaigns. The Ministry of Environment oversees the programme on the Czech side, with numerous Swiss partners involved in coordination with the Swiss Parks Network.

Further information about the Swiss-Czech Cooperation Programme: www.swiss-contribution.cz