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.

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.

Project: Upgrading of the radiation monitoring in Estonia

Enhancing the reliability of environmental data

Boosting research in ten EU member states

NGO fund in twelve EU member states

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

One billion well invested

05.06.2018 – Article
The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribution. 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.

Consultation on a second Swiss contribution

28.03.2018 –
At its meeting on 28 March 2018, the Federal Council decided to initiate the consultation procedure on a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. With this contribution, Switzerland aims to continue to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the EU member states. Last year, the Federal Council set two priorities for this contribution: vocational education and training and migration.

10 years of contribution to the enlarged EU: efforts pay off

19.06.2017 – Press releases

The 10-year implementation period for Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the 10 central and eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 came to an end on 14 June 2017. Under the contribution, Parliament approved a total of CHF 1 billion to implement 210 projects which have helped reduce economic and social disparities among broad sections of the population living in the EU.

Switzerland is investing in the future – in public buildings in Estonia

22.12.2016 – Article
In the fight against climate change, the thermo-modernisation of infrastructure plays an important role. With Swiss support, Estonia is renovating public facilities in accordance with internationally recognised energy standards and providing them with alternative energy sources. The projects not only improve the global climate but also the working and learning environment inside the buildings.

Preventing financial crime and attracting investors

23.02.2016 – Article

Estonia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have completed their projects in the area of financial reporting, improving their application of international standards in financial reporting and auditing. The improved quality, transparency and comparability of their financial reporting is creating a better environment for the private sector.

Sciex research programme comes to an end

28.09.2015 – Article

The closing ceremony of the Sciex scholarship programme was held on 25 September 2015. Thanks to this programme, more than 500 doctoral and post-doctoral students could visit Switzerland for a limited period to conduct and expand their research. 

State Secretary in the Baltic states

22.05.2015 – Article

State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch travelled to the Baltic states from 18 to 22 May. Her itinerary included three projects that Switzerland is supporting through its enlargement contribution.

Federal Council opens consultation on the continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe

17.12.2014 – Press releases
The Federal Council has opened the consultation on the continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe (Eastern Europe Cooperation Act). The current act is still valid until the end of May 2017. A timely prolongation should enable the seamless continuation of cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The consultation will last until 31 March 2015.

Breath-taking and waterproof: environmental monitoring in Estonia

30.07.2014 – Local news
Thanks to a Swiss contribution totalling CHF 8.5 million, Estonian laboratories and environmental monitoring stations are able to procure modern equipment and train their staff. During project visits, Estonian experts demonstrated their ability to reliably monitor air and water quality across large areas with their new equipment.

CHF 190 million for a sustainable energy policy

18.03.2014 – Article
Switzerland is supporting a sustainable energy policy in six partner countries with around CHF 190 million from its enlargement contribution. In Estonia, for example, the contribution is being used to make the design of three preschools and a home for the elderly more energy efficient. Four Estonian communities showcased their building projects on 14 March 2014. In February 2014, Switzerland approved a project to institutionalise the energy city label in Romania.

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Estonian foreign minister

19.09.2013 – Press releases
Today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has received the foreign minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, for talks in Bern. Both ministers described relations between Estonia and Switzerland as very good. In addition to bilateral issues, the talks focused above all on the EU policy and Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014.

Switzerland

31.05.2013 – Press releases
More than 200 projects are now being implemented as part of the enlargement contribution. At the annual conference of Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe on 31 May 2013 in Bern, government representatives and experts from Switzerland and abroad discussed the importance and the impact of these projects. About 750 people took part in the annual conference in the Hotel National, an exceptionally high turnout.

The Swiss contribution in brief

Information on Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU: a brief presentation including project examples.

Estonia: Opening of newly renovated public school in Väätsa

Estonia: Opening of newly renovated public school in Väätsa

Estland: Environmental monitoring and You

Estonia: Emergency Services