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.

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

Loans for SMEs Romania

Factsheet Energiestädte 191025 EN

Improving living conditions of Roma communities in north-western Romania

Contribution to the enlarged EU: programmes in Bulgaria and Romania come to a close

20.01.2020 –
Over the last ten years, Switzerland has provided CHF 257 million from its enlargement contribution to support projects in Bulgaria and Romania. The two countries joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. The contribution aimed to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe and within Bulgaria and Romania. The 93 projects, which came to a close in December 2019, have achieved good results. Switzerland's support contributes to greater stability in Europe, which is also in the country's interests.

Switzerland's enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania comes to a close

20.01.2020 – Press release
Over the last ten years, Switzerland has provided CHF 257 million from its enlargement contribution to support projects in Bulgaria and Romania. The two countries joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. The contribution aimed to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe and within Bulgaria and Romania. The 93 projects, which came to a close in December 2019, have achieved good results. Switzerland's support contributes to greater stability in Europe, which is also in the country's interests.

Green investments in Romania

16.08.2019 – Article
The Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca has launched a programme to improve its energy efficiency. In support of the programme, Switzerland has funded the energy-efficient renovation of school buildings, the installation of several thousand LED lights on the city's streets and the purchase of electric buses – making a significant contribution to climate change mitigation and improving the quality of life of the city's population.

25 years of invaluable support for the Romanian emergency services

18.07.2019 – Article
More than 25 years have passed since Switzerland started to support Romania in developing its emergency services. Much has been achieved thanks to Switzerland's systematic funding, creativity and innovative strength.

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.

The Swiss contribution in brief

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

Romania: Anti Human Trafficking