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.

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Partnership funds in the new EU member states

NGO fund in twelve EU member states

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

Upgrading water infrastructure in Croatia's karst mountains

02.02.2021 – Article
Switzerland is helping to upgrade the drinking-water and sewerage infrastructure in Croatia's mountain region of Gorski Kotar in the north-west. The aim of the project is to reduce water loss and connect more homes to the sewerage system. This contributes to water conservation and economic development in the region.

Supporting innovation in Croatia

22.01.2021 – Article
Innovation is an important factor in countries' economic development. However, government spending for research and development is often limited. In Croatia, Switzerland provides promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with support for the launch and development of innovative new projects. Five SMEs have succeeded in obtaining funding from the European Eurostars programme with Switzerland's support.

Road safety: Croatian project partners visit Switzerland

02.12.2019 – Article
A study visit by a Croatian delegation to explore road safety in Switzerland has been successfully completed. Swiss partner organisation Pro Velo along with researchers and transport policy experts all contributed actively to the success of the project with their specialist input. During the visit, Switzerland highlighted how its contribution to the enlarged EU played a significant role and valuable contacts were established.

2018 annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU

08.05.2019 – Article
The 2018 annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU presents the results achieved in the last three remaining country programmes that are still under way: mine clearance in Croatia, the promotion of SMEs in Romania and the delivery of decommissioned trams from Basel to Bulgaria. Parliament is currently deciding on the future of the enlargement contribution. In principle, it has approved a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states.

Funding and support programme for Croatian SMEs

04.02.2019 – Article
By contributing to the Croatian Eurostars programme, Switzerland supports international research and development undertaken by Croatian SMEs in cooperation with European partners. Successful applicants can use the funding to develop innovative products, processes and services and launch them on the market. Eurostars projects also help create new jobs.

In Croatia's woods 3,585 mines have been defused

20.12.2018 – Article
Mines and other explosive remnants of war are a dangerous legacy from Croatia's 1991–96 war and compromise the safety of the local people. Integrating mine victims economically and socially is a challenge for Croatian society. Switzerland's demining project under its enlargement contribution aims to improve life quality for people living in mined areas.

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.

Cooperation with Croatia takes shape

31.05.2017 – Article
Two and a half years after the Swiss Parliament approved an EU enlargement contribution of CHF 45 million for Croatia, the commitment period is due to expire at the end of May 2017. The two countries have agreed on 12 projects during this time. The cooperation will focus on improving the drinking water supply and waste water treatment, education and research, and demining efforts.

Croatian delegation studies the Swiss VET system

30.10.2015 – Article

The SDC will help Croatia modernise its vocational and education and training (VET) system. The aim is to adapt courses to changing economic needs and to reduce youth unemployment. A high-ranking Croatian delegation has visited several Swiss vocational schools and companies in different industries to get a first-hand view of the Swiss dual vocational education and training system.

Bilateral framework agreement signed with Croatia

30.06.2015 – Article

On 30 June 2015 Switzerland and Croatia signed a bilateral framework agreement regulating the implementation of Switzerland's CHF 45 million enlargement contribution to Croatia. The projects supported by the enlargement contribution aim to reduce economic and social disparities in Croatia.

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.

The Swiss contribution in brief

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