Switzerland launches its new Cooperation Programme for Kosovo: Additional 86 Million EUR Allocated


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Local news, 13.05.2022

Building on decades of friendship and close bilateral relations, Kosovo and Switzerland celebrated today their longstanding partnership on the occasion of the launching of the new Swiss Cooperation Programme for Kosovo for 2022-2025

Embassy of Switzerland in Kosovo
Launching of the new Swiss Cooperation Programme for Kosovo © FDFA

In a joint event held in Pristina with heads of Kosovo institutions, partners and beneficiaries, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Kosovo Thomas Kolly recalled that Switzerland’s support has always been driven by a commitment to help the citizens of Kosovo and the country move forward.

Ambassador Ruth Huber, Vice-Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Head of Department Cooperation with Eastern Europe underlined that joint efforts of Switzerland and the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have inter alia contributed to:

  • More than 600.000 people benefitting from improved access to water in rural areas
  • More than 630.000 citizens having access to better municipal services
  • Some 10.000 people finding jobs
  • Over one million people, that is more than half of the entire Kosovo population, improving their health by being better informed on how to prevent chronic diseases.

On behalf of the Kosovo Government, Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Liburn Aliu, emphasised that the historical journey between the two countries started many years ago and it includes economic, political, human and social relations.

"These friendly relations between the two countries are solid and more powerful than ever before. Switzerland remains Kosovo’s third largest bilateral cooperation partner and the second largest foreign investor and this new programme will further help Kosovo and our people to strengthen democracy, develop the economy and increase welfare" stated Minister Aliu.

The Swiss Cooperation Programme for Kosovo 2022-2025 lays out Switzerland and Kosovo’s mutual interest to maintain stability and foster prosperity in Kosovo, while taking into account new challenges. Designed based on Switzerland’s expertise and in line with the priorities set out by the Government of Kosovo, the Programme will support three main areas: Democratic Governance and Peace; Sustainable Economic Development; and Climate Change, Water and Health.

Switzerland’s financial contribution for the next four years amounts to 86 million EUR.

The Programme has been developed in an inclusive approach, involving the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), FDFA State Secretariat’s Peace and Human Rights Division, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).