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 2016

The report shows the results and the state of progress, e.g. in the dual vocational training programme in Slovakia, the fight against human trafficking in Bulgaria and Romania, the rehabilitation of a port in Latvia, and a venture capital fund in Hungary. In addition, it covers the national programmes which have come to a close in Estonia and Slovenia and presents the new programme in Croatia.

The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.

Projects promoting social inclusion of the Roma people and other disadvantaged groups in four EU member states

Better healthcare provision for the Romanian population

Improving living conditions of Roma communities in north-western Romania

Rega trains pilots in the romanian air rescue service

Improved access to education and medical care for Roma

Counteraction to crimes related to motor vehicle trafficking

Increase of the control and the respect of the rules set out in the legislation protecting the environment and risk management

Capacity building of forensic experts

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.

Targeted hepatitis C prevention in Poland

29.09.2017 – Article

Switzerland has been supporting Poland’s efforts to prevent hepatitis C. Some 25,000 people have been tested for the virus and a nationwide campaign has succeeded in raising public awareness. The data gathered will now serve as input for the relevant national health strategies.

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.

10 years of contribution to the enlarged EU: efforts pay off

19.06.2017 – Press release

The 10-year implementation period for Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the 10 central and eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 came to an end on 14 June 2017. Under the contribution, Parliament approved a total of CHF 1 billion to implement 210 projects which have helped reduce economic and social disparities among broad sections of the population living in the EU.

State secretary attends final conference in Czechia

14.06.2017 – Article
State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch was in Czechia from 2 to 4 May 2017. During her visit she opened the final conference of the Swiss-Czech cooperation programme, which comes to an end in mid-June. She also visited four projects which were supported through Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU.

Cooperation with Croatia takes shape

31.05.2017 – Article
Two and a half years after the Swiss Parliament approved an EU enlargement contribution of CHF 45 million for Croatia, the commitment period is due to expire at the end of May 2017. The two countries have agreed on 12 projects during this time. The cooperation will focus on improving the drinking water supply and waste water treatment, education and research, and demining efforts.

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.

Sharp drop in infant mortality in Lithuania

22.08.2016 – Article
Thanks to Swiss support, conditions for newborns and mothers in Lithuania have improved greatly. The infant mortality rate has dropped sharply since the nineties. With its enlargement contribution, Switzerland finances modern medical equipment, energy-efficient renovations and further training in healthcare in 27 hospitals.

Swiss support helps secure jobs in Romania

06.01.2016 – Article

In the town of Reghin in the north-west of Romania, the Moldovan family runs a small business making musical instruments. Thanks to a microcredit provided by Switzerland, they have been able to purchase two new wood-processing machines and a vehicle, helping to make their work more efficient, increase their income and secure jobs.

Health Projects in Poland Reporting Encouraging Results

31.08.2015 – Article

Switzerland supports several health projects in Poland. Their objectives include promoting oral health in pre-school, preventing hepatitis C infections, and reducing alcohol, tobacco and drug use during pregnancy. According to the mid-term reviews, the projects are well on track and are showing encouraging results.

The Swiss contribution in brief

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

Bulgaria: Home Care

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 2016

The report shows the results and the state of progress, e.g. in the dual vocational training programme in Slovakia, the fight against human trafficking in Bulgaria and Romania, the rehabilitation of a port in Latvia, and a venture capital fund in Hungary. In addition, it covers the national programmes which have come to a close in Estonia and Slovenia and presents the new programme in Croatia.

The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.