Switzerland continues its efforts in reducing economic and social inequalities within the enlarged European Union, thus showing solidarity and strengthening its bilateral relations with selected EU member states. The Swiss contribution is an investment into Europe’s security, stability and prosperity by addressing cross-border challenges and building sustainable partnerships between institutions in the partner countries and Switzerland.

The second Swiss Contribution is a continuation of the technical and financial aid that Switzerland has provided to Bulgaria since the beginning of the 1990s, including the Enlargement Contribution (2010–2019). Following approval by the Federal Parliament on cohesion and migration framework credits on 03.12.2019, Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EU on 30.06.2022 committing a total amount of CHF 1’302’000’000 (one billion three hundred and two million Swiss francs) to selected EU Member States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as well as Greece and Italy). The area of cohesion covered by the Second Swiss Contribution amounts to CHF 1.102 billion, of which CHF 92.5 million are allocated to the implementation of support measures in Bulgaria. Structured around five thematic areas of promoting economic growth and reducing youth unemployment; managing migration and increasing public safety; environmental protection; strengthening of social systems; and promoting civic engagement and transparency, the Swiss Contribution to Bulgaria follows the principles of country ownership and knowledge transfer, involving Swiss expertise where available. Over 7 years (till end of 2029), the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme will focus on mainstreaming dual vocational education and training (D-VET); preventing juvenile delinquency; introducing community policing; innovation through scientific cooperation and exchange in research; better migration management and (re-)integration measures for victims of trafficking and other migrants; improved air quality; disposal of obsolete pesticides; and meeting the health and educational needs of vulnerable and marginalised minorities.

The Central Coordination Unit Directorate at the Ministry of Finance performs the functions of the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme. The unit works in partnership with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Swiss Contribution Office at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bulgaria.