Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.
Twinning and Partnership Block Grant Hungary
Projekt abgeschlossen
The Twinning and Partnership Block Grant substantially increases mutual cooperation and part-nerships between Hungarian and Swiss-bodies. Approximately 40 projects realized in partnership between Hungarian and Swiss towns and municipalities, NGOs or social partners solve concrete problems in Hungary and improve the living conditions of the local population.
| Land/Region | Thema | Periode | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ungarn |
Zivilgesellschaft stärken
Bilaterale Partnerschaften
|
01.09.2010
- 30.04.2017 |
CHF 4'000'000
|
- 7 town twinnings
- 39 partnerships
- 4 social dialogues established
- Totally 50 small projects sucessfully implemented
- National State Institute North
-
Sektor nach Kategorisierung des Entwicklungshilfeekomitees der OECD Unallocated / Unspecified
Sub-Sektor nach Kategorisierung des Entwicklungshilfeekomitees der OECD Sectors not specified
Unterstützungsform Erweiterungsbeitrag
Projektnummer 7F07618
| Hintergrund |
Close contacts exist between Hungarian and Swiss institutions and civil society, partly due to personal links dating back to the late 1950ies, when Switzerland received many refugees from Hungary, partly stemming from the first phase of transition in |
| Ziele |
The Partnership Fund substantially increases mutual cooperation and partnerships between Hungarian and Swiss institutions, municipalities and not-for-profit organisations. Approximately 40 projects realized in partnership between Hungarian and Swiss towns and municipalities, NGOs or social partners solve concrete problems in Hungary and improve the living conditions of the local population thanks to transfer of know-how and best practices between the two countries. |
| Zielgruppen |
State, regional and local authorities, universities, NGOs, professional chambers and unions, associations |
| Aktivitäten |
Calls for project proposals periodically invite applicants to submit their sub-projects in specific thematic areas. The submitted sub-projects are assessed by one of the three evaluation committees, which are composed of different Hungarian bodies (NGOs, municipal associations, National Council for the reconciliation of interests) as well as the Swiss Embassy. Towns, municipalities, NGOs or social partners of both countries implement the projects together thanks to transfer of know-how and best practices, under observance of the re-granter who is responsible for the monitoring of the projects. |
| Resultate |
Erreichte Resultate: |
| Verantwortliche Direktion/Bundesamt |
DEZA |
| Kreditbereich |
Schweizer Beitrag an die erweiterte EU |
| Projektpartner |
Vertragspartner Ausländische staatliche Institution Andere Partner Intermediate Body and Executing Agency: VÁTI Ltd. |
| Budget | Laufende Phase Schweizer Beitrag CHF 4'000'000 Bereits ausgegebenes Schweizer Budget CHF 3'424'675 |
| Projektphasen |
Phase 1 01.09.2010 - 30.04.2017 (Completed) |
Partnership Fund Hungary
An example of this kind of partnership is that between the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland and Kodolány János College in Hungary. This partnership project has helped improve the quality of Hungarian tertiary education through two conferences in Switzerland and Hungary on the quality of tertiary-level education, an e-learning programme and a jointly developed master's programme for Hungarian university lecturers. 46 small projects were supported.
Partnerships strengthen 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.
Partnership Funds in the New EU Member States (PDF, Anzahl Seiten 2, 598.9 kB)
