News - Swiss

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 11 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, with an extended eligibility period until April 2029, 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.

A New Chapter in the Second Swiss Contribution: Signing of 5 Additional Support Measure Agreements

As National Coordination Unit, the Ministry of Finance, through Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Tánczos Barna, signed on behalf of Romania the agreements that fund strategic areas for Romania's development. The signing ceremony for the 5 Support Measure Agreements under the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme took place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Victoria Palace, in the presence of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and high-ranking Romanian and Swiss officials.

The agreements target the following:
 

• Dual VET Programme (grant of 10 million Swiss Francs) – implemented through the Ministry of Education and Research as the Programme Operator, will enhance vocational education for young Romanians, directly linking it to labor market demands.

• Public Safety and Security Programme (grant of 20 million Swiss Francs) – implemented through the Ministry of Internal Affairs as the Programme Operator, develops community policing, strengthens the fight against organized crime, and improves air rescue capabilities.

• Public Safety and Security Programme in the Justice Sector (grant of 10 million Swiss Francs) – carried out with the Ministry of Justice as the Programme Operator, strengthens the judicial system’s capacity to combat crime and maintain the rule of law.

• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programme (grant of 60 million Swiss Francs) – carried out together with the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration as the Programme Operator, promotes sustainable solutions for Romania's cities.

• Health Services Programme (grant of 10 million Swiss Francs) – implemented through the Ministry of Health as the Programme Operator, focuses on the prevention and treatment of addictions among children and adolescents. 

The second Swiss Contribution to Romania finances 11 Programmes approved for funding, of which 9 Support Measure Agreements (Programmes) have been signed so far.

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Smart Energy for Communities: 72 Localities Eligible for Sustainability Funding

The "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy" Programme, funded under the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, was officially launched on Thursday, February 13, 2025. 

With a grant of 60 million Swiss francs, the program is accessible to 72 administrative-territorial units, including both municipalities and smaller or disadvantaged communities.

The available funds can be used for:

• Improving the energy efficiency of public buildings,
• Producing and storing shallow geothermal energy,
• Developing hydropower plants on water supply and sewage systems,
• Generating energy from municipal organic waste.

The Applicant’s Guide has been approved and is available on the website of the Programme Operator, i.e. the Ministry of Development, Public Works, and Administration, at:
http://www.mdlpa.ro/pages/ghidsolicitantprogrameficientaenergeticaromaniaelvetia.

The deadline for project submission is June 30, 2025.