
Strengthening civil society

The Swiss enlargement contribution provides CHF 105 million for financing projects that strengthen civil society. A support fund for non-governmental organisations (NGO fund) is financed in all partner countries, except Malta.
The NGO fund particularly supports social and environmental projects that support and strengthen the participation of civil society in the economic and social development of the country. Overall, one in five projects is realised with Swiss involvement. The NGOs benefit from Swiss expert knowledge by involving Swiss partners in projects. At the same time, Swiss organisations can expand their networks and improve their competences thanks to partnerships with organisations in the partner countries. In Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary, there is a partnership fund in addition to the NGO fund.
Results
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In all countries except Malta, a total of 935 NGOs have received support, e.g. a foundation that helps socially disadvantaged groups gain access to education and training. © SDC
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One of the focal points of the NGO projects was the environment. In Czechia, 35 projects have helped maintain biodiversity and nature reserves under threat. © SDC
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Skilled workers are migrating from Romania. In order to provide the population with professional and social prospects, social institutions received support. © SDC
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In Bulgaria, NGOs promote organic farming, the production of regional products and ecological tourism. © SDC
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Partnership projects in Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have facilitated exchanges in specialised knowledge, e.g. in the transport sector. © SDC
Documents (11)
Object 1 11 of 11
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Results country programmes in EU-12 countries

Promoting renewable energy, creating employment and strengthening civil society: the final review of Switzerland's enlargement contribution summarises the results of the Swiss-backed projects.
Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU: 2018 Annual Report

Information on the results achieved in the last three remaining country programmes that are still under way, e.g. mine clearance in Croatia, the promotion of SMEs in Romania and decommissioned trams from Basel improving Bulgaria's public transport system. The report also briefly explains the background to the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member countries.
Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribu-tion. SECO and the SDC have taken stock of the last decade and published the results in their 2017 annual report. The projects have made a significant contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Switzerland was also able to use its expertise to make a meaningful contribution to a number of projects.
The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.
NGO and Partnership Fund in Lithuania

Partnership fund in the Czech Republic

Partnership funds in the new EU member states

Lithuanian "Tafel" works together with Swiss Counterpart

NGO fund in twelve EU member states

2013 Annual Report 2013

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017
Object 1 11 of 11
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News (32)
Grants for innovative partnership initiatives between CSOs and LGUs

19.01.2021 Local news
The call will be open until 12th of February 2021 and potential applicants are partnerships which consist of one or more civil society organization and one local government (city or municipality). The partners should operate within the following geographical area: Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Southeastern Serbia.
Ceremony for Network Advocacy Grants

16.12.2020 Local news
The Ceremony #SIGNACT_NETWORKS, organized on December 16, brought together 10 networks of grant winners within the project "For an Active Civil Society Together - ACT“. The selected networks include a total of 67 civil society organizations throughout Serbia and in the next 18 months they will conduct campaigns on key topics such as the position of young people, the position of children, the position of women 45+. environmental issues, decentralization, child marriages, psychological support and others.
Continuing Swiss support through COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants

14.12.2020 Local news
The Swiss Government-supported project “For an Active Civil Society Together – ACT” announces a Call for COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants for Monitoring the Work of Government Institutions, Advocacy, and Public information on the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Civil society organizations sign contracts for Community Boost and Local Advocacy projects

19.10.2020 Local news
At the online ceremony #SIGNACT_LOCAL, thirteen civil society organizations (CSOs) and one informal group of citizens signed their contracts for Community Boost and Local Advocacy projects and initiatives as part of the program "For an Active Civil Society Together - ACT”.
Civil society organizations signed contracts for institutional support within the ACT project

05.10.2020 Local news
At the online ceremony SIGN ACT: Celebrating the beginning of ACT institutional support to civil society organizations, which was broadcast live on social networks, the goals and significance of this project were presented, and the organizations told us where they see themselves and civil society after two years working to strengthen their base in their communities.
Switzerland Supports CSO Networks in Serbia

15.09.2020 Local news
The Swiss-supported project “For an Active Civil Society Together - ACT” published a Call for Network Activity Grants (NAG). The call is open until 7 October 2020 for formal and informal CSO networks throughout Serbia. Up to 10 selected networks will receive EUR 25,000 each in support, over the next 18 months. Having in mind the current circumstances, applications will be received and processed via a special online platform.
Switzerland supports civil society organizations in Serbia

01.04.2020 Local news
The Swiss supported program For an Active Civil Society Together (ACT) published a call for institutional grants for civil society organizations (CSOs) in Serbia. The call is open until 13th May for CSOs throughout Serbia. Up to 30 selected organizations, at least half of them based outside of Belgrade, will be supported to the tune of EUR 22,000 each, over the next two years. Having in mind the current circumstances, applications will be received and processed via a special online platform.
Swiss Government Allocates 5 million EUR to Support Civil Society in Serbia

17.12.2019 Local news
In the next four years, 100 civil soceity organisations will receive support to better connect with citizens, boost civic activism, improve cooperation with local self-governments for better public services, and increase networking and efficiency of Serbian CSOs.
A civil society evening hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland to Serbia

05.12.2019 Local news
The Embassy of Switzerland hosted an event for its civil society partners. The gathering was an opportunity to thank the partners for the great cooperation and work in this year.
Awards in support of independent journalism by Swiss-funded LevizAlbania project

21.06.2019 Article
In one of the events marking the end of phase I, Swiss-funded LëvizAlbania project awarded recognition prizes to five independent journalists
Civica Mobilitas: Call for Applications for Civil Society Organisations

06.03.2019 Local news
The Swiss programme for civil society development in North Macedonia – Civica Mobilitas – will support more than 100 civil society organizations in the country until 2022. The first Call for Applications for Actions Grants was just published.
Switzerland hosts civil society evening
08.02.2019 Local news
The Embassy of Switzerland hosted an evening for the civil society partners. The event was an opportunity to thank Swiss partners for the great cooperation and work in the past year. Switzerland has supported several projects in different areas working closely with the civil society organizations and achieving visible results.
Videos (2)
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Publisher | DEZA/SECO |
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The Swiss contribution in brief
Information on Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU: a brief presentation including project examples.
Publisher | DEZA |
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Czech Republic: Partnership fund
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Publications (4)
Object 1 4 of 4
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Results country programmes in EU-12 countries

Promoting renewable energy, creating employment and strengthening civil society: the final review of Switzerland's enlargement contribution summarises the results of the Swiss-backed projects.
Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU: 2018 Annual Report

Information on the results achieved in the last three remaining country programmes that are still under way, e.g. mine clearance in Croatia, the promotion of SMEs in Romania and decommissioned trams from Basel improving Bulgaria's public transport system. The report also briefly explains the background to the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member countries.
Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribu-tion. SECO and the SDC have taken stock of the last decade and published the results in their 2017 annual report. The projects have made a significant contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Switzerland was also able to use its expertise to make a meaningful contribution to a number of projects.
The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.
Object 1 4 of 4
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