Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU on the right track: In mid-June 2017 all projects in the EU10 countries were successfully completed after a 10-year planning and implementation phase. In Romania and Bulgaria the implementation phase will continue until December 2019; in Croatia it will continue until the end of 2024.
Since 2008, Switzerland has been participating in various projects designed to reduce the economic and social disparities in the countries that joined the EU in 2004. The duration of the projects depends on when each country joined the EU:
Switzerland has contributed CHF 1 billion to support projects designed to reduce economic and social disparities in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. 210 projects have been implemented. The initial project objectives have been achieved on the whole, and in many projects even surpassed.
Switzerland has allocated CHF 257 million to support 13 thematic funds and 28 projects in Bulgaria and Romania. The projects are to be implemented by the end of 2019 at the latest.
Croatia became the 28th member state of the EU on 1 July 2013. Switzerland is also supporting this newest EU member with a CHF 45 million contribution. With the commitment period coming to a close on 31 May 2017, the two countries have selected 12 projects to complete by 2024.
