Switzerland has been supporting Ukraine's reform efforts since the 1990s. In particular, it is committed to improving the population’s living standard, improving the public services’ efficiency and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Due to Russia's military aggression, Switzerland's commitment after 24 February 2022 has a strong humanitarian component. However, this is aligned with the thematic priorities of the previous long-term cooperation programme, which includes the following priorities
- Strengthening democratic institutions,
- Improving health (improvement of basic services)
- sustainable urban development (e.g., energy efficiency, sustainable mobility),
- strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (agricultural businesses, access to financial services).
This long-term commitment will be continued with the necessary adjustments.
- In the area of development cooperation, for example, a project for the rehabilitation of war trauma was adapted.
- Switzerland has also been committed to digitalisation and decentralisation since 2015. The E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP) programme offers important administrative services digitally, thereby increasing government transparency even during the war, promoting the population’s participation in decision-making processes and reducing corruption.
- The urban development and mobility projects were also adapted to take account of internally displaced persons and the new socio-economic circumstances (e.g., barrier-free access to services and transport).
Ukraine (International Cooperation)
First response: Needs analysis and relief supplies
Today, around half of the Ukrainian population is dependent on humanitarian aid. In an initial phase, the focus was on assessing needs and delivering relief supplies. Immediately after the start of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) assessed needs in Ukraine, Poland and Moldova and set up hubs to provide concrete support to people affected by the war. Initially, deliveries of relief supplies were coordinated from there.
To date, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has transported over 1,400 tonnes of relief supplies (e.g., medical equipment, generators, winter clothing) from Switzerland to Ukraine and neighbouring countries and purchased over 4,765 tonnes of essential foodstuffs in Ukraine to support the population.
Winter aid
The targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure last winter resulted in over 40 per cent of the energy grid being destroyed, there is still no access to drinking water in many places and the power supply and telecommunications are often interrupted. Particularly in view of the harsh winters in Ukraine, the Federal Council decided on an action plan totalling CHF 100 million for winter aid at the end of 2022. In particular, the federal government supported projects for the urgent repair of destroyed civilian infrastructure (e.g., emergency repairs in the energy, road and health sectors). It has also taken various measures for the coming winter.
On 21 February 2023, the Federal Council approved the 2023 Action Plan for Ukraine and Moldova, amounting to CHF 140 million. This includes measures in the areas of peacebuilding (e.g., demining), health (e.g., repairs to hospitals), economic development (e.g., small loans to agricultural SMEs), sustainable cities (e.g., repairs to schools) and multi-sectoral support (e.g., delivery of requested material).
Factsheet Winter aid
Support from Swiss experts on site
Since February 2022, more than 70 Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) specialists have been deployed in Ukraine and Moldova to reinforce Swiss representations in both countries and support humanitarian organisations on the ground (ICRC, UN, NGOs).
For example, following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, two SHA specialists in engineering and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) were able to help with short and medium-term solutions to alleviate the effects of the dam's destruction. Switzerland has also supplied urgently needed locally purchased pipes and pumps to the water network operators upstream of the dam. Thus, the water supply systems can be operated even when water levels are low. 31 water tanks also procured in Ukraine and water filling racks from Switzerland supply an additional 60,000 people with drinking water.
Financial assistance and multilateral support
In providing financial assistance, the Confederation makes use of instruments of international organisations such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which have set up funds to pool the contributions of various countries to Ukraine.
As tax revenues in Ukraine have collapsed due to the war, the World Bank's Peace Fund ensures that Ukraine's state budget can be maintained and that, among other things, public sector employees – such as teachers and the police – continue to receive a salary. Switzerland supported the fund with CHF 10 million in 2022 and a further CHF 20 million in 2023.
Through the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, the Confederation is helping to urgently repair destroyed energy infrastructure with a contribution of CHF 54 million. It has also allocated CHF 10 million to the Energy Community's Ukraine Energy Support Fund, to provide equipment needed to repair the country's energy infrastructure for example (where possible via Swiss partners).
The Confederation has also contributed CHF 3 million to a World Bank initiative that is assessing the damage caused by the war and evaluating which repairs need to be prioritised. In addition, the Confederation is supporting an EBRD initiative aimed at ensuring that Ukraine's recovery builds on the country's reform process.
Through the EBRD, the Confederation’s commitment mainly targets Ukraine's private sector. The Small Business Impact Fund is helping to improve framework conditions for SMEs. This is done through advisory services, strengthening supply chains, access to financing and the establishment of industrial parks. Through the IFC (International Finance Corporation), the Confederation is supporting a mixed financing instrument with CHF 10 million, through which loans can be granted to farmers and other businesses in the agricultural sector. Through the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets, the Confederation invests in the Horizon Capital Growth Fund, which promotes start-ups in the IT and export sectors and through which agricultural businesses continue to have access to loans.
Financial overview
Since February 2022, Switzerland has provided more than CHF 350 million for international cooperation in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Parliament approved three supplementary loans, in particular to alleviate the humanitarian emergency, for winter aid in 2022 and other measures such as supporting healthcare systems, promoting decentralisation and strengthening the agricultural sector.
As part of the next strategic period for international cooperation (IC) 2025-2028, the Federal Council has reserved funds totalling around CHF 1.5 billion for Ukraine. The amount is made up of 5-10% of the total international cooperation budget, which will be used for support measures (humanitarian aid and development cooperation) in favour of Ukraine and the region, plus the increase in expenditure during this strategy period, which will be reserved as a precautionary measure for reconstruction in Ukraine.
Ukraine (SECO)
Ukraine-Newsticker