News - Swiss

Launch of the Social Inclusion Program

On June 30, 2025, the Social Inclusion Program was officially launched. This initiative is funded through the second Swiss Contribution to Romania, amounting to 23 million Swiss francs. The event was attended by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Petre-Florin Manole, His Excellency Mr. Massimo Baggi, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Bucharest, and representatives of the National Coordination Unit within the Ministry of Finance, the institution responsible for managing and coordinating this external contribution.

The program aims to reduce economic and social disparities by providing integrated community services in the fields of social assistance, education, and healthcare, with a particular focus on marginalized urban communities, especially the Roma population.

The program is structured around two major components:
1. Implementation of integrated public community services in seven cities with a significant presence of Roma communities. In July, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity will launch calls for projects targeted at urban administrative-territorial units. The maximum funding per project exceeds 2.3 million CHF. Projects may be developed in partnership with non-governmental organizations and Swiss partners. Eligible activities include social and educational services, primary and secondary healthcare, interventions to prevent school dropout, vocational counseling, awareness campaigns to combat addictions and domestic violence. This component is implemented by the Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the Council of Europe.
2. Promotion of non-discrimination and intercultural dialogue through initiatives dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Roma minority, organizing debates and intercultural activities at local and national levels, with an allocation of nearly 3 million CHF.

The National Coordination Unit within the Ministry of Finance plays a crucial role in ensuring proper fund management, monitoring implementation, and facilitating inter-institutional cooperation, guaranteeing transparency, efficiency, and sustainable impact of the program. Ms. Cosmina Manolescu, Director General of the National Coordination Unit, emphasized in her opening speech the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, considering this program a driving force for structural change in Romanian society.

The Social Inclusion Program, supported through Romanian-Swiss bilateral cooperation, represents a key pillar in building a more equitable society, where integrated public services directly address the needs of the most vulnerable communities.

Integrated Social Services in Romanian Cities and the Implementation of Measures Promoting Non-Discrimination at National and Local Levels — Priorities of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity Financed through Swiss Funding

The Ministry of Finance, in its capacity as National Coordination Unit for the Swiss Contribution, and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, acting as Programme Operator, have signed the Implementation Agreement for the Support Measure entitled “Social Inclusion Programme”, under the Thematic Area “Minorities and socially disadvantaged groups”, effective as of 30 May 2025.

The Programme is structured around two key components aiming to:
• Reduce economic and social disparities between communities by delivering integrated community services (social assistance/education/health), with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, including Roma populations living in urban areas;
• Promote non-discrimination at national and local levels, including through the valorisation of Roma culture and history.

The Programme will be implemented by April 2029, with a total budget of 23,012,110 CHF, of which 20,000,000 CHF represents the Swiss contribution, and 2,931,374 CHF is national co-financing.

For the implementation of the first component, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity will cooperate with the Council of Europe as strategic partner.

Details regarding the launch of the call for projects and other relevant programme information will be published on the Programme Operator’s website.

Romania’s Dual Vocational Education and Training System Strengthened through Switzerland’s Second Contribution

The Ministry of Finance, as the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss Contribution, and the Ministry of Education and Research, through the National Centre for the Development of Vocational and Technical Education (CNDIPT), have signed the Implementation Agreement for the Support Measure “Dual Education Programme (VET)” under the thematic area “Vocational Education and Training.” The agreement entered into force on 9 May 2025.

The programme aims to strengthen Romania’s dual vocational education and training system by engaging schools and private companies with relevant expertise. It consists of five components aligned with its main strategic directions:
• Policy dialogue on dual education;
• Revision of level 5 qualifications in line with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF);
• Piloting/testing level 5 NQF qualifications through competitive grant projects;
• Training of teachers and in-company tutors to deliver relevant dual programmes;
• Development of a public-private network of dual education facilitators.

The programme will run until April 2029, with a total budget of CHF 11,764,705.88 — of which CHF 10,000,000 represents the Swiss contribution and CHF 1,764,705.88 is national co-financing.

The Ministry of Education and Research, via CNDIPT, will act as the Programme Operator. Implementation will be carried out in partnership with the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training as the Swiss partner institution.

Details on the implementation of the Programme will be made available on the websites of the participating institutions.

Internal Affairs Funded Through the Second Swiss Contribution

The Ministry of Finance, in its capacity as the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss Contribution, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have signed the Implementation Agreement for the Support Measure “Public Security and Safety Programme (Internal Affairs)” under the thematic area “Improving Public Safety and Security.” The agreement entered into force on May 21st, 2025.

The Programme aims to strengthen the role of the police in ensuring citizen safety—particularly for vulnerable groups—combat organized crime, with a special focus on human trafficking, and improve the support provided to populations facing emergency situations by enhancing the performance of SMURD aerial rescue services and further developing the concept of civil protection volunteerism.

The Programme is structured into three core components aligned with its overarching objectives:
• Community Policing
• Combating Organized Crime and Human Trafficking
• Aerial Rescue and Disaster Preparedness

The Programme will be implemented until April 2029, with a total budget of CHF 23,529,412, of which CHF 20,000,000 is provided through the Swiss contribution, and CHF 3,529,412 represents national co-financing.

The programme will be implemented by the General Inspectorate of Police and its Romanian partners—the “Nicolae Golescu” Police Training and Professional Development Centre in Slatina, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Psychosociology Centre, the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons, the “Dr. Aurel Greblea” Cynology Centre in Sibiu, and the International Organization for Migration. In parallel, the Department for Emergency Situations will implement its components in cooperation with the General Inspectorate of Aviation and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. Both implementing structures will benefit from the expertise and recognised professionalism of Swiss partners: the SAVATAN Police Academy, the Federal Office of Police (FEDPOL), the Basel Institute on Governance, REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue), and COGINTA.

Details on the implementation of the Programme will be made available on the websites of the participating institutions.

Signing of the Support Measure Agreement and the Implementation Agreement for the “Infrastructure Programme for Emission Research and Monitoring”

On May 6th, 2025, the Ministry of Finance, in its role as the National Coordination Unit (NCU) for the Swiss Contribution, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) signed the second Support Measure Agreement (SMA) for the “Infrastructure Programme for Emission Research and Monitoring.” This initiative is part of the Romanian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, under the thematic area Research and Innovation.

Subsequently, on May 15th, 2025, the National Authority for Research (ANC), acting as the Programme Operator, and the Ministry of Finance, as the NCU, signed the corresponding Support Measure Implementation Agreement (SMIA), officially marking the launch of the Programme.

The Programme consists of two components:

• ACTRIS (Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure), with the National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics INOE 2000 as the component operator and beneficiary. The project will be implemented in partnership with Babeș-Bolyai University and, on the Swiss side, the Paul Scherrer Institute – Laboratory for Atmospheric Chemistry.
• East European Methane Study (EEMS), focused on the study of methane emissions in Eastern Europe, with the National Institute for Aerospace Research “Elie Carafoli” (INCAS) as the component operator and beneficiary. Implementation will take place in partnership with the Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology – Air Pollution Laboratory/Environmental Technology, as the Swiss partner.

The Programme will run until the end of March 2029 and has a total budget of CHF 8,705,882 (approximately RON 47,821,410), of which CHF 7,400,000 (approximately RON 40,648,200) represents the Swiss contribution. Further information regarding the implementation of the Programme will be made available on the websites of the involved institutions.

2025 Annual Meeting of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme

Between 26 and 28 May 2025, the Ministry of Finance hosted the third annual meeting of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, in close collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and the Swiss Contribution Office (SCO).

The meeting opened with technical sessions reviewing the 2024 implementation progress and 2025 developments, followed by thematic discussions with Programme Operators, Component Operators, and other institutions involved in the Programme. Key issues were addressed, including administrative bottlenecks, operational challenges, and practical solutions identified to accelerate implementation and enhance inter-institutional coordination.

Main conclusions of the meeting included:
• All 11 Programmes were formally approved in 2024, setting a clear strategic framework for cooperation;
• By May 2025, all Support Measure Agreements and the majority of Implementation Agreements had been signed, paving the way for the operational phase;
• The effective implementation stage has begun, with beneficiary contracting, procurement launches, and strengthened partnerships with Swiss institutions;
• Institutional changes, staffing limitations and procedural complexities have been effectively addressed through structured dialogue and technical assistance from the Swiss side;
• Good practices in monitoring, reporting, and public communication were highlighted, with an emphasis on measurable, transparent outcomes.

Given the eligibility deadline of 3 December 2029, both sides agreed on the need to maintain a fast pace of implementation, a clear strategic vision, and timely decision-making regarding all relevant procedures.

The Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme remains a model of responsible institutional partnership, delivering concrete results in essential areas of public policy: social inclusion, health, justice, education, research, public safety, and regional development.

The Ministry of Finance expresses its appreciation to all Programme and Component Operators for their sustained commitment and professionalism throughout every stage of this shared effort.

Launch of Call 1 for Proposals under the Civic Engagement Programme, part of Switzerland’s Second Contribution

The first call for proposals has a total allocation of 7 million Swiss francs (CHF) and targets Romanian non-governmental and non-profit organizations (NGOs) with proven experience and the capacity to implement initiatives at the national or regional level. The overarching goal is to support projects addressing systemic issues and fostering increased active participation of civil society.

Call 1 supports projects in the following four thematic areas:
• Combating discrimination and social exclusion – CHF 2,500,000
• Protecting biodiversity and environmental rights – CHF 1,800,000
• Media transparency and investigative journalism – CHF 1,000,000
• Support for victims of violence, including human trafficking, gender-based violence, violence against children, and related issues – CHF 1,700,000

Application deadline: 30 June 2025

Further information is available here: http://elvetiaromania.ro/apel/apel-granturi-mari-runda-1/

A Greener Future: Implementation Agreement Signed for the “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” Support Measure

br The Ministry of Finance, as the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss Contribution, and the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA) have signed the Implementation Agreement for the “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” Support Measure, which enters into force on April 23, 2025.

MDLPA will act as the Programme Operator, while the implementation will be carried out by the local government units benefiting from the Programme, as well as by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, acting as the Programme Component Operator for Component 3 “Development of managerial and technical capacities for cities and communities – eea Program in Romania”.

The objective of the Programme is to improve the quality of life in Romania by enhancing energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy sources in selected cities and in socially or economically disadvantaged communities.

The Programme is structured into four components: investments in major urban areas, support for smaller and disadvantaged communities, strengthening of local authorities’ technical and managerial capacities, and exchange of best practices with Swiss partners.

The Programme will run until December 2029 and has a total budget of 70,588,235.29 CHF (equivalent to 378,310,586.66 RON), of which 60,000,000 CHF (equivalent to 321,564,000 RON) represents the Swiss contribution.

Romania and Switzerland Strengthen Prevention and Treatment of Addiction Among Children and Adolescents

The Ministry of Finance, as the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss Contribution, and the Ministry of Health have signed the Implementation Agreement for the Support Measure entitled “Programme for Health Services – Enhancing the Capacity to Prevent and Treat Addiction Among Children and Adolescents in Romania”, effective as of 17 April 2025.

The Ministry of Health will act as the Programme Operator, while implementation will be carried out through the National Centre for Mental Health and Anti-Drug Policies, in collaboration with both national and Swiss partners, including UNICEF, Addiction Switzerland and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

The Programme aims to strengthen Romania’s public health system through systemic interventions in the prevention and treatment of youth addiction, thereby contributing to social stability, public health and the country’s sustainable development. Key elements include interinstitutional cooperation, the professionalisation of experts, equitable access to services, and the integration of international expertise.

The Programme will run until December 2028 and has a total budget of CHF 11,764,706 (equivalent to RON 62,854,118.27), out of which CHF 10,000,000 (equivalent to RON 53,426,000) is a non-reimbursable Swiss contribution.

Strengthening Justice and Public Safety: The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice Sign the Implementation Agreement

On April 4th, 2025, the Ministry of Finance, acting as the Swiss Contribution’s National Coordination Unit, and the Ministry of Justice signed the Implementation Agreement for the Support Measure "Justice – Security and Public Safety."

The Ministry of Justice will act as the Program Operator, while the Program Components will be implemented by key judicial institutions: the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the National Anticorruption Directorate, the National Agency for the Management of Seized Assets, and the Superior Council of Magistracy.

The Program aims to strengthen the judiciary's capacity to effectively combat crime and uphold the rule of law. Its objectives include ensuring professionalism and efficiency within the justice system, enhancing public safety, and supporting a sound social and economic environment by improving interinstitutional cooperation and access to justice, and by enabling competent judges, prosecutors, investigators, and other professionals.

The Program will run until August 2028 and has a total budget of CHF 11,764,706 (approx. RON 61,368,236), of which CHF 10,000,000 (approx. RON 52,163,000) represents the Swiss contribution.