With a Swiss financing of CHF 92.5 million, the SBCP supports Bulgaria's strategic reforms through eleven programmes in areas such as environmental and nature protection, education, public safety, innovation, and social inclusion. The launch event in Sofia featured the signing of the "Health and Education for All (ZOV II)” Support Measure Agreement, focused on promoting the social inclusion of vulnerable communities through education and capacity-building initiatives.
The SBCP targets thematic areas with recognised needs of Bulgaria as well as opportunities for Switzerland to add value with its expertise and experience. It seeks to contribute to the strategic reforms undertaken by Bulgaria and will strengthen existing and create new Swiss-Bulgarian partnerships between public institutions and private organisations at all levels.
"Today’s event adds another link to the strong chain of our long-standing, excellent partnership. A partnership that is based on mutual respect, joint objectives, agreed rules, and demand of the Bulgarian authorities. These are principles all the more valuable and necessary in the present times", remarked the Swiss Ambassador in Bulgaria, Raymund Furrer.
"I am particularly pleased that for several of our Programmes, competent and committed Swiss partners have already been identified and involved, highlighted Laurence Mortier, Head of the Swiss Contribution to EU Members States / Cohesion Division, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. These collaborations will strengthen our ties, both at the public and private sector levels. I also look forward to the possibility of fostering additional Swiss partnerships. At its core, the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme is about shared knowledge and mutual learning. Through our cooperation, we not only share expertise and resources, but we also learn from each other and leverage our respective strengths”, Mortier added.
Eleven Programmes, Five Thematic Areas
The SBCP is more than the provision of funds: it aims at establishing new partnerships, exchanging knowledge and experiences and addressing longstanding and new challenges Bulgaria is facing. The SBCP supports eleven Programmes in five thematic areas, based on a bilateral Framework Agreement between Switzerland and Bulgaria, which entered into force on 3 December 2022.
The second Swiss Contribution complements Bulgarian efforts in mainstreaming dual vocational education and training; preventing juvenile delinquency; introducing community policing; innovation through scientific cooperation and exchange in research; better migration management and (re-)integration measures for victims of trafficking and other migrants; improved air quality; disposal of obsolete pesticides; sustainable use of a national park, and meeting the health and educational needs of vulnerable and marginalised minorities.
Another highlight of the launch event was the signing of a Support Measure Agreement for the "Health and Education for All (ZOV II)" Programme between Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Swiss Ambassador Raymund Furrer, and Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev. This Programme aims to promote the social inclusion of vulnerable communities, particularly those of Roma origin, by empowering them to actively participate in socio-economic, cultural, and political life. The Programme will be implemented in five Bulgarian municipalities and will include capacity-building for educational mediators through training and other tailored measures.
SBCP 2.0 - A Sustainable Partnership
The Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme builds upon the successful partnership between the two countries which began during Bulgaria’s transition to EU membership and was further solidified through the Enlargement Contribution. Between 2009 and 2019, the Enlargement Contribution, with a budget of CHF 76 million, supported over 120 initiatives and key reforms in Bulgaria in areas such as environmental protection, civil society, security, social inclusion of vulnerable groups, research and education, including the introduction of dual education in the country.
With an increased budget of CHF 92.5 million for the 2022-2029 period, the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme reflects a 15% rise in funding, demonstrating Switzerland’s continued commitment to supporting Bulgaria’s development. In general, Switzerland will contribute up to 85% of the funding, while Bulgaria will provide the remaining 15% through co-financing.
SBCP implementation is coordinated by the Central Coordination Unit Directorate at the Council of Ministers in partnership with SECO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC. The Swiss Contribution Office at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bulgaria will also play a pivotal role in managing the initiative.
