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Protecting the environment

Two workers with measuring instruments in Hungary
Increased use of public transport is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. © SECO

CHF 479 million of the enlargement contribution is used for environmental protection projects. This includes projects for supporting public transport, drinking water supplies, waste water treatment, energy efficient construction, use of renewable energies and biodiversity.

Switzerland has its own interest in protecting the environment as environmental pollution does not stop at borders. Many of the projects contribute to protecting our climate. To ensure sustainability, Switzerland organises educational trips, seminars and forums as part of the projects where knowledge is exchanged that can be used in the future. The majority of the projects are also infrastructure projects that do not only contribute to protecting the environment, but also reduce health risks, improve living conditions and support economic development. Asbestos removal, for instance, is important in terms of health. The development of the public transport system improves living standards. The use of renewable energies and energy efficient construction reduces electricity and heating costs. Environmental projects thus also provide new future prospects in the partner countries.

Results

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Documents (12)

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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.


Czech republic: Small-scale environmental projects

A Swiss-backed fund supported 33 environmental projects put forward by different municipalities and organisations. For example, the town of Prachatice organised seminars and excursions on the theme of waste separation and composting. Another project breathed new life into the Negrelli Viaduct in Prague, inviting restaurants, shops and exhibitions to open under its arches.


Infrastructure projects in Poland

Thanks to the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme, 44,000 families now live in asbestos-free houses. Switzerland contributed CHF 115 million to support energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in a total of ten projects. In addition, Switzerland funded measures to improve public transport.


Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2016

The report shows the results and the state of progress, e.g. in the dual vocational training programme in Slovakia, the fight against human trafficking in Bulgaria and Romania, the rehabilitation of a port in Latvia, and a venture capital fund in Hungary. In addition, it covers the national programmes which have come to a close in Estonia and Slovenia and presents the new programme in Croatia.


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.


Czech republic: Small-scale environmental projects

A Swiss-backed fund supported 33 environmental projects put forward by different municipalities and organisations. For example, the town of Prachatice organised seminars and excursions on the theme of waste separation and composting. Another project breathed new life into the Negrelli Viaduct in Prague, inviting restaurants, shops and exhibitions to open under its arches.


Infrastructure projects in Poland

Thanks to the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme, 44,000 families now live in asbestos-free houses. Switzerland contributed CHF 115 million to support energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in a total of ten projects. In addition, Switzerland funded measures to improve public transport.


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News (40)

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Czech Republic: New Tram Line for Olomouc

The construction of a new tram line in Olomouc in the Czech Republic makes the public transport system more reliable and thus increases the demand for it.

09.12.2013 – Article
On 29 November 2013, the city of Olomouc in the eastern part of the Czech Republic was scene to the festive inauguration of a new tram line financed by the Swiss Enlargement Contribution. Thanks to the new line, an urban district with 15,000 inhabitants was able to be connected to the city team network. In the future, it is estimated that one million public-transport passengers per year will be travelling along this new, 1.4 km-long tram-line stretch.

5.8 million Swiss francs for better air quality

Annual meeting to mark the Swiss enlargement contribution to Hungary

29.04.2013 – Article

During the annual meeting on 12 March 2013 to mark the Swiss enlargement contribution to Hungary, an environmental project that aims to improve the measurement of environmental quality in Hungary was launched in the presence of the Swiss Ambassador, Jean-François Paroz, and the Hungarian State Secretary for the Environment, Zoltán Illés. By 2015, regional laboratories and two mobile monitoring stations are to receive financing totalling CHF 5.8 million. The Hungarian government has also earmarked an additional CHF 1 million, bringing the total cost of the project to CHF 6.8 million.

First Solar Collectors in Operation at Polish regional Hospital

123 solar panels for hot water

07.03.2013 – Article

Since December 2012, the regional hospital of the Suski district has been receiving its hot water thanks to solar energy. In fact, 123 solar panels have been installed on the roof of the hospital. In addition, by summer 2013, an additional 2349 solar panels on the roofs of private buildings will be put into operation.

Additional energy efficiency project signed

31.08.2012 – Article

In August 2012 Switzerland signed the final infrastructure project with Hungary. The results of a first infrastructure project concluded in 2009 are already visible.

Poland is starting the implementation of infrastructure projects

Renewal of roofs containing asbestos

15.12.2011 – Local news

Nine projects in the area of basic infrastructure and environmental protection with a total value of almost CHF 110 million were approved in the year 2011. The first priority is improving waste management at the communal level. A second priority concerns measures to promote renewable energies. Efforts will also be made to improve the safety and reliability of public regional transport.

Enhancing the reliability of environmental data in Estonia

National park Laheema

24.11.2011 – Local news

On 24 November 2011, Switzerland and Estonia signed the first project agreement in the domain of “Environment and Infrastructure”. The project will enable the Estonian authorities to better monitor water quality, air pollution and radioactivity levels, and to localize natural hazards. Switzerland is supporting the project with a total contribution of CHF 8.5 million.

Launching conference in Bucharest for the SECO "Energy City" programme

Launching conference for the "Energy City" programme

04.08.2011 – Article

Romania’s medium-sized cities (45,000 to 350,000 inhabitants) have the opportunity of competing to join the SECO “Energy City” programme. To ensure that all interested cities receive uniform and transparent information on the criteria for the competition, the Romanian authorities responsible in each case met with a Swiss delegation at an inaugural conference for the “Energy City” programme on 1 July in Bucharest.

Czech Republic: Environment Expertise Fund

Pravčická brána, Bohemian Switzerland

21.04.2011 – Local news

A project agreement on environment was signed between Switzerland and the Czech Republic on 4 April 2011. Switzerland contributes one million Swiss francs to support activities in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Latvia: Improving the quality of water and removing waste

Der Industriehafen der lettischen Haupstadt Riga

17.03.2011 – Local news

A project agreement on infrastructure with Latvia was signed on 17 March 2011. Switzerland contributes 13 million Swiss francs to improve the quality of water and help clean up the heavily polluted industrial port of Riga.

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Videos (10)

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Publisher DEZA/SECO

The Swiss contribution in brief

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

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Publications (7)

Object 1 – 7 of 7

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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.


Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2016

The report shows the results and the state of progress, e.g. in the dual vocational training programme in Slovakia, the fight against human trafficking in Bulgaria and Romania, the rehabilitation of a port in Latvia, and a venture capital fund in Hungary. In addition, it covers the national programmes which have come to a close in Estonia and Slovenia and presents the new programme in Croatia.


Czech republic: Small-scale environmental projects

A Swiss-backed fund supported 33 environmental projects put forward by different municipalities and organisations. For example, the town of Prachatice organised seminars and excursions on the theme of waste separation and composting. Another project breathed new life into the Negrelli Viaduct in Prague, inviting restaurants, shops and exhibitions to open under its arches.


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.


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Last update 03.04.2018