Switzerland has made available CHF 1 billion for the countries that joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Since 2009 Switzerland has also supported Bulgaria and Romania, which became EU members on 1 January 2007, with a total of 257 Millionen CHF. With this sum, Switzerland expresses its solidarity with the new EU members, which are making major efforts to reduce social and economic inequalities. The contribution is also a continuation of the technical and financial aid that Switzerland has provided since the beginning of the 1990s. The people of Switzerland approved the EU enlargement contribution on 26 November 2006 with 53% of the vote in favour.

The contribution to Latvia amounts to CHF 59.88 million. It is based on the Swiss-Latvian framework agreement of 20 December 2007, which sets priorities concerning areas of activity and governs procedures. Switzerland’s most important partner in Latvia is the Ministry of Finance, which functions as the National Coordination Unit. All project applications are submitted via this point.

In the Swiss Embassy, the Office for the Enlargement Contribution monitors the implementation of the programme in Latvia. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) are responsible for approving projects.