Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU: 2018 Annual Report

Information on the results achieved in the last three remaining country programmes that are still under way, e.g. mine clearance in Croatia, the promotion of SMEs in Romania and decommissioned trams from Basel improving Bulgaria's public transport system. The report also briefly explains the background to the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member countries.

Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribu-tion. SECO and the SDC have taken stock of the last decade and published the results in their 2017 annual report. The projects have made a significant contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Switzerland was also able to use its expertise to make a meaningful contribution to a number of projects.

Swiss Enlargement Contribution Annual Report 2015

The annual report contains an overview of concrete results and the status of project implementation. Over 500 doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers from the new EU member states received scholarships in 2015 to do research in Switzerland. Bulgaria introduced legislation that provides for outpatient care based on the Swiss Spitex model, and Slovenia halved the heating and electricity bills of schools through energy efficiency renovations and renewable energies.

Evaluation Report on the Swiss Contribution 2015: Key points in brief

An independent evaluation has confirmed the federal authorities have achieved good results in implementing Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the new EU member states. This report summarises the key findings of the evaluation and outlines the progress and achievements of the Swiss contribution.

Un seul monde 2/2004

Élargissement de l’Union européenne à l’Est : multiples defies / La Roumanie et ses chantiers: corruption, démocratie et adhésion à l’UE / L’aide humanitaire peut-elle nuire? Un entretien avec Mary Anderson

Un seul monde 4/2001

Asie centrale : la douloureuseindépendance des anciennesrépubliques soviétiques /Tadjikistan : le pays le pluspauvre d’Asie centrale. Portrait /Financement du développement :un débat sur les perspectiveset les possibilités

The Swiss enlargement contribution in a changed environment – now and in the future

The Swiss Enlargement Contribution Interim report for the end of the commitment period in Bulgaria and Romania 2009–2014

Project examples Romania

Better healthcare provision for the Romanian population

Partnership funds in the new EU member states

The Swiss enlargement contribution in a changed environment – now and in the future

2018 annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU

08.05.2019 – Article
The 2018 annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU presents the results achieved in the last three remaining country programmes that are still under way: mine clearance in Croatia, the promotion of SMEs in Romania and the delivery of decommissioned trams from Basel to Bulgaria. Parliament is currently deciding on the future of the enlargement contribution. In principle, it has approved a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states.

Step by step towards greater sustainability

15.02.2019 – Article
2019 is a big year for Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU in Romania: all projects must be completed by December. As the deadline approaches, the achievements of cooperation are becoming ever more tangible. The Romanian city of Suceava, for example, is creating a more sustainable energy supply.

Strengthening the competitiveness of Romanian SMEs

05.10.2018 – Article
Switzerland supports around 80 Romanian organic farms and wood furniture producers in marketing their products internationally. State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch visited an agricultural enterprise that has benefited from Swiss training and advice to improve the marketing of its organic sea buckthorn products.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Romania and Bulgaria

11.09.2018 – Article
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' trip focused on talks with high-ranking government representatives on bilateral issues, European policy and cooperation to date within the framework of Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU. In order to obtain an overview of work on the ground he also visited two projects partly funded by Switzerland's enlargement contribution.

One billion well invested

05.06.2018 – Article
The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribution. SECO and the SDC have taken stock of the last decade and published the results in their 2017 annual report. The projects have made a significant contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Switzerland was also able to use its expertise to make a meaningful contribution to a number of projects.

Energy transition in Romania, pilot city launches electric bus fleet

01.06.2018 – Article
Eleven zero-emission electric buses have been in circulation in the city of Cluj-Napoca since June 2018. They are Romania's first electric buses. Switzerland is supporting the pilot project as part of its Energy City programme in Romania. It is assisting four Romanian cities in their efforts to transition to greener energy.

Consultation on a second Swiss contribution

28.03.2018 –
At its meeting on 28 March 2018, the Federal Council decided to initiate the consultation procedure on a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. With this contribution, Switzerland aims to continue to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the EU member states. Last year, the Federal Council set two priorities for this contribution: vocational education and training and migration.

A chance for innovative thinkers in Romania

22.03.2018 – Article
Romania is grappling with brain drain. Switzerland has contributed CHF 24.5 million to a loan fund to improve job prospects in Romania. Some 300 local SMEs were granted up to CHF 300,000 credit until the end of 2017, which secured around 3,300 jobs.

Social and medical assistance for rural Romania

18.07.2017 – Article

Switzerland is supporting Romania in the expansion of basic healthcare in remote regions. Support provided to the health and social care centres in the Danube Delta region is already having an impact: thanks to carers on quad bikes and boats, hundreds of people receive medical advice.

Social and medical assistance for rural Romania

18.07.2017 – Article

Switzerland is supporting Romania in the expansion of basic healthcare in remote regions. Support provided to the health and social care centres in the Danube Delta region is already having an impact: thanks to carers on quad bikes and boats, hundreds of people receive medical advice.

Switzerland supports the victims of human trafficking

18.10.2016 – Article
Europe has appealed for international action against trafficking in humans on 18 October every year since 2007. Switzerland is also committed to the fight against human trafficking through its enlargement contribution. It is supporting Bulgaria and Romania with their efforts aimed at prevention, victim protection, reintegration and improving criminal prosecution.

A home for abandoned children in Romania

21.09.2016 – Article
Many Romanian children find themselves in a home – not because they are orphans but for reasons of poverty.  Since the 1990s, members of the Swiss-Romanian association for abandoned children have run a home for abandoned children in the Transylvanian town of Ghimbav. The home offers these children a family environment to grow up in.

The Swiss contribution in brief

Information on Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU: a brief presentation including project examples.

Romania: Anti Human Trafficking