The current Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme is financed by the second Swiss Contribution to EU member states (to Romania). 

The Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme aims at improving the lives of Romania's inhabitants, at strengthening existing and/or create new Swiss-Romanian partnerships between public/private sector at all levels. 

The Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme is country-led and targets areas where there are recognised needs expressed by Romania. 

Following the signature of the Framework Agreement between Swiss and Romanian Governments in December 2022, eleven (11) thematic programmes are foreseen and contribute to at least one of the following 5 objectives: 

• Promoting economic growth and social dialogue, reducing (youth) unemployment
• Managing migration and supporting integration. Increasing public safety and security
• Protecting the environment and the climate
• Strengthening of social systems
• Civic engagement and transparency

The second Swiss Contribution to Romania amounts CHF 221.5 Million and the 11 thematic programs run by the end of 2029.

For more information, please consult the factsheet on the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme (PDF, 2 Pages, 337.8 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Vocational & Professional Education & Training (DVET)

The Vocational & Professional Education & Training Programme (DVET) contributes to the objective "Promoting economic growth and social dialogue, reducing (youth) unemployment". 

Its strategic goal is to strengthen Romania's dual vocational system, by involving schools and private companies. 

The institution in charge with DVET Programme's implementation is the National Center for Development of Technical and Professional Education, subordinated to the Romanian Ministry of Education & Research.

Swiss partner(s): Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training

For more information, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 679.8 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Research & Innovation

Two distincts programmes contribute to the specific objective "Promoting economic growth and social dialogue, reducing (youth) unemployment". 

(1) The International Research Cooperation Programme aims at strenghtening the internationalization of Romania's Research and Innovation community, through the establishment of Swiss-Romanian cooperation opportunities. 

The institution in charge with the programme's implementation is the National Authority for Research,  under the Romanian Ministry of Education & Research. 

Swiss institutions/partners involved in the International Research Cooperation Programme: Swiss National Science Foundation, Paul Scherrer Institute

For more information on International Research Cooperation Programme, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 707.8 kB, English)

(2) The "Emissions Research and Monitoring Infrastructure Programme" aims at increasing Romania's research capacities to monitor particles that have a harmful impact on the environment and is under the responsibility of the National Authority for Research.

Swiss partner(s): Paul Scherrer Institute, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) 

For more information on Emissions Research and Monitoring Infrastructure Programme, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 782.0 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Financing for SMEs

The SMEs Programme contribute to the specific objective "Promoting economic growth and social dialogue, reducing (youth) unemployment". 

SMEs Programme's overall goal is to support Romanian private manufacturing SMEs needing external finance, to make green and digital investments for improving their environmental footprint. 

The programme's implementation is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship & Tourism. 

Partner banks: Banca Transilvania S.A, BRD - Groupe Société Générale, CEC Bank S.A, UniCredit Bank S.A, ProCredit Bank S.A

For more detailed information, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 794.3 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Improving Public Safety & Security

Two distincts programmes contribute to the specific objective "Managing migration and supporting integration. Improving public safety and security".

(1) The Internal Affairs Programme aims at ensuring the well-being and safeguard of the citizens by providing services to the population in the field of public order, security, as well as rescue in case of emergency situations or disasters.

The programme is under the responsibility of the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs and represents a continuation of the results obtained under the first Swiss Contribution to Romania. 

Swiss partner(s): Coginta (NGO), Savatan Police Academy, Federal Office of Police, Basel Institute on Governance, REGA

For more details on the Internal Affairs Programme, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 716.8 kB, English)

(2) The Justice Programme's overall goal is to strengthen the capacity of the Romanian judicial system to effectively combat crime and uphold the Rule of Law. 

It is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. 

Swiss partner(s): Basel Institute on Governance, Swiss Prosecutors 

For more information on the Justice Programme, please consult this Factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 703.1 kB, English). 

Thematic Area: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programme contributes to the specific objective "Protecting the Environment and the Climate". 

Its overall goal is to improve the quality of life for Romania’s inhabitants through increasing the energy efficiency and supporting the use of renewable sources of energy in Romanian cities by implementing high quality technological solutions.

The programme is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration. 

Swiss partner(s): Minergie, Biomasse Suisse 

For more information on this specific programme, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 756.7 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Public Transport & Mobility

The Programme “Improvement of Access to the Bucharest Metro Network” contributes to the specific objective "Protecting the environment and the climate".

Its overall goal is to identify and implement solutions for the improvement of the access to the Bucharest metro network, with a special focus on people with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility.

The institution in charge with the programme's implementation is the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration. 

For more information on this programme, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 673.3 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Health

The Health Programme contributes to the specific objective "Strengthening of social systems". 

Its overall goal is to improve the access and the quality of Romania's public health services' so that children and young adults suffering from addictions are better protected. 

The programme is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. 

Swiss partner(s): Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, Addiction Suisse

For more information, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 706.6 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Minorities & socially disadvantaged groups

The Social Inclusion Programme contributes to the specific objective "Strengthening of social systems".

Its overall goal is to reduce the socioeconomic disparities in Romania, and foster an inclusive as well as a cohesive society by providing an equal access to integrated social services for vulnerable communities, especially Roma, and by implementing measures that promote non-discrimination.

The programme is under the responsibility of the Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity 

International partner(s): Council of Europe 

For more information on the Social Inclusion Programme, please consult this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 675.9 kB, English)

Thematic Area: Civic Engagement & Transparency

The Civic Engagement Programme contributes to the specific objective "Civic engagement and transparency". 

This programme aims at reinforcing the participation of Romania’s inhabitants in public affairs, by their contribution in influencing policy making, and contributing to democratic reforms, transparency, accountability and systemic social change in the country. 

The consortium composed by the lead organisation Civil Society Development Foundation, in parternship with Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation and KEK-CDC (Swiss) is operating the programme. 

9 strategic projects amounting CHF 0.5 to 1.5 million and covering pre-defined areas started their implementation. 35 local projects amounting CHF 50'000 to 200'000 have been selected following a call for proposals. 

For more information, please consult the specific website and/or this factsheet (PDF, 2 Pages, 685.5 kB, English)