Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.
Partnership Fund Poland
Project completed
The Partnership Block Grant contributes towards promoting and
enhancing the partnership between regions, institutions and
social partners of Poland and Switzerland.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Poland |
Strengthening civil society
Bilateral partnerships
|
31.05.2009
- 31.12.2015 |
CHF 3’400’000
|
- 90 project proposals analysed
- Monitoring of 30 projects granted the assistance
- Regular reporting on progress of grant implementation to the NCU/SDC
- General administration of the Fund and control of the financial flow
- 21 parternship projects implemented, with 5 projects holding the potential for continuation beyond the project duration
- 30 study visits to Switzerland with 384 participants
- 25 conferences, workshops or seminars organised by Swiss partners in which 147 Polish partners participated
- 14 study visits of Swiss partners to Poland
- 52 conferences, workshops or seminars organised by Polish partners in which 121 Swiss partners participated
- National State Institute North
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Unallocated / Unspecified
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Sectors not specified
Aid Type Enlargement contribution
Project number 7F07199
| Background |
The existing Swiss-Polish partnerships were established with the rather general intention of having a foreign partner city/commune. At the moment the activities within these partnerships are limited in terms of intensity and scope. According to a recent assessment, local authorities are becoming |
| Objectives |
The programme will allow relations and the cooperation between Switzerland and Poland to be reinforced. The Partnership Block Grant will allow the creation or renewal of partnerships and enhance the network of cooperation between Polish and Swiss local authorities, institutions and social partners to promote and exchange best practices and transfer know-how in various thematic areas through specific projects. |
| Target groups |
Municipalities, Institutions and Social Partners |
| Activities |
|
| Results |
Achieved results: |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Swiss Contribution to the enlarged EU |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign state institution Other partners Executing Agency: ECORYS Polska and The Association of the Polish Municipalities in the Euroregion Baltic |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 3’400’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 3’347’658 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 31.05.2009 - 31.12.2015 (Completed) |
Partnership Fund Poland
In Poland the focus is placed on partnerships between towns and municipalities. For instance, Polish cities and municipalities can consult Swiss agencies in areas such as spatial planning and public transport.
21 partnership projects promoting the exchange of knowledge and know-how between Swiss and Polish municipalities and institutions will be completed in 2015. An example of this is the cooperation between the Canton of Valais and Myślenice County. An exchange of experience improved first-aid training in schools.
Partnerships strenghten bilateral relations
The partnership funds set up under the auspices of Switzerland’s enlargement contribution facilitate the exchange of experience between institutions in the new EU member states and Swiss partners - in areas such as non-motorised transport, teacher training and biodiversity, for instance. The Swiss contribution to partnership funds for financing small projects is approximately CHF 25 million.
Switzerland possesses a great deal of knowledge in areas such as research and environmental protection, and in other fields too. Given the lack of experience of the partner countries in a wide range of areas (usually for historical reasons), Swiss organisations can consequently make a significant contribution to active knowledge transfer.
Focus on sharing experience
The partnership funds in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and the Czech Republic support and foster institutional partnerships between Switzerland and the respective countries. These partnerships focus on sharing experience in the various fields. As a result, institutions and government agencies in the new EU member states can benefit from Swiss expertise and knowledge. This is also in Switzerland’s interests. Through the partnership funds, Switzerland is supporting around 280 small projects which will help solve concrete problems in the partner countries and improve the living conditions of their citizens. Only non-profit organisations are accepted as partners in both Switzerland and the partner countries, i.e. organisations that do not pursue any commercial interests through their participation in projects, such as foundations or associations. Public authorities such as municipalities or cantonal administrative bodies are also eligible to access these funds. Trade unions can also be admitted as partners. Town twinning is a traditional example of such a partnership.
First partnership projects already completed
For instance, Swiss expertise helped to implement a project to promote non-motorised transport in the Czech Republic. Another project concerned incorporating the rights of children in teacher training. As part of the Slovenian partnership fund, a joint research project to preserve biodiversity was implemented. In Poland the focus was placed on partnerships between towns and municipalities. For instance, Polish cities and municipalities can consult Swiss agencies in areas such as spatial planning and public transport.
Mutual benefits of cooperation
By expanding its horizons through establishing and maintaining long-term partnerships between public agencies and institutions, Switzerland also benefits from the mutual exchange of experience. Partnership projects allow Swiss partners to play an active role in reducing economic and social disparities between the new member states and the EU. Projects are submitted to the national institution nominated to manage the fund. A broad-based selection committee, on which Switzerland is also represented, decides which projects will be financed. The partnership funds set up as part of the Swiss enlargement contribution:
• will co-finance around 280 partnership projects;
• will create and foster institutional partnerships between public bodies in the new EU member states and Switzerland;
• will enable the exchange of specialist knowledge between the new EU member states and Switzerland to the benefit of all parties.
