News - Swiss

Focus on Research – 20 MAPS (Multilateral Academic Projects) Funded under the Second Swiss Contribution

October 13, 2025 marked the official launch of the 20 projects selected for funding under the MAPS – Multilateral Academic Projects component of the International Research Cooperation Programme.

The event “Research on the Spotlight: Making Ideas Visible” offered a valuable opportunity for connection and dialogue among researchers, public authorities, and funding institutions.

More information on the beneficiary projects is available on the website of the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI): https://uefiscdi.gov.ro/resource-860344-Prezentare-proiecte-MAPS.pdf

New Investments in Energy Efficiency: Approved Projects and Signed Contracts under the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programme

Within the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programme, the list of approved projects has been finalised. These projects support investments in major cities as well as in smaller and disadvantaged communities, strengthen managerial and technical capacity at the local level, and promote the exchange of know-how and technical assistance from Swiss partners. On 13 October 2025, the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA), acting as Programme Operator, signed 11 financing contracts with beneficiary municipalities, with a total value of 375,831,479.26 lei. The contracts concern the modernisation, thermal rehabilitation and energy efficiency improvement of several public institutions, as follows:
   • Thermal rehabilitation of the outpatient unit of “Prof. Dr. Eduard Apetrei” Hospital in Buhuși and modernisation and energy efficiency improvement of the “Sfântu Gheorghe” Residential Care Centre for the Elderly in Oltenița (32.4 million lei).
   • Modernisation and energy efficiency improvement at the “Johann Ettinger” German Theoretical High School in Satu Mare, the Energy Technical College in Sibiu, the “Ioan Popescu” Pedagogical High School in Bârlad, the Micești Secondary School in Alba Iulia, and the administrative headquarters of the Brașov Public Transport Authority (195.8 million lei).
   • Energy-efficient modernisation of the swimming pool within the Târgoviște Tourist and Leisure Complex, the Multipurpose Sports Hall in Piatra Neamț, and the “Ioan Stanatiev” Sports Hall in Câmpia Turzii (97 million lei).
   • Construction of a municipal organic waste incineration facility for biogas production and cogeneration in Baia Mare (52.8 million lei).

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programme is financed through the Swiss Contribution and has a total budget of 70,588,235.29 Swiss francs (CHF), of which 60,000,000 CHF represent the Swiss grant and 10,588,235.29 CHF the national co-financing. https://www.mdlpa.ro/pages/programcooperareelvetianoroman

New Opportunities for Romanian SMEs under the Swiss–Romanian Cooperation Programme – SME Eco-Tech Component

Under the SME Eco-Tech component, small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector can access favourable financing for investments in green technologies and energy-efficiency solutions. According to the programme’s implementation procedure, the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT), acting as the Programme Operator, launched a competitive selection process for partner financial institutions. Following the evaluation, five partner banks were approved. Thus, Banca Transilvania, BRD, CEC Bank, UniCredit, and ProCredit will provide loans to eligible companies under this programme on competitive financial terms.

The SME Eco-Tech Programme, managed by the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT), has a total budget of 288.8 million RON, of which 70% is financed through the Swiss contribution under the second Swiss financial assistance package for Romania.

The programme aims to support the green and digital transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, helping them reduce their environmental footprint. Eligible companies may receive a grant covering up to 40% (maximum 50,000 CHF) of eligible project costs, with the remaining amount to be financed through a partner bank loan.

The scheme targets small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the manufacturing sector, with project applications evaluated on a “first-come, first-served” basis via an online platform. Through this component, more than 800 beneficiaries are expected to receive support, fostering technological modernisation, competitiveness and the transition towards a sustainable economy.

The SME Eco-Tech Programme marks another important step in the Swiss–Romanian partnership, aimed at reducing economic and social disparities across Europe while enhancing Romania’s competitiveness through innovation and sustainability.

Full details on the application procedures are available at: https://economie.gov.ro/290-milioane-de-lei-sprijin-pentru-mediul-de-afaceri-din-fonduri-elvetiene/

Call for Experts under the Dual Education (VET) Programme

The National Centre for the Development of Vocational and Technical Education (CNDIPT), as Program Operator for the Support Measure "Dual VET Programme" financed through the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, is launching a recruitment and selection process for expert positions within the Dual VET Programme.

The selection covers a wide range of positions, including financial management, human resources, IT, procurement, coordination, experts in specific training areas, higher education, labour market, as well as vocational and technical education. All positions are available on a fixed-term basis, outside the institution’s organisational chart.

The core objective of the "Dual VET Programme" is to consolidate the Romanian dual vocational education and training system, with the involvement of schools and private companies.

Further details on eligibility and application procedures are available on the CNDIPT website.

Launch of Call for Proposals under Component 1 and Opening of Public Consultation on Component 2 of the Social Inclusion Programme

The Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, acting as Programme Operator for the Swiss Contribution, has opened the call for proposals under Component 1 of the Social Inclusion Programme. This component focuses on implementing integrated public community services in marginalised urban areas across seven cities with a high concentration of disadvantaged Roma citizens.

The call is open from 30 July 2025, 12:00 PM, until 31 October 2025, 12:00 PM, and targets local authorities and accredited social service providers.

The Applicant’s Guide, annexes, and procedural information are available on the Programme Operator’s website: http://mmuncii.ro/j33/index.php/ro/transparenta/anunturi/7743-lista-ghid-solicitant-30072025

Concurrently, a public consultation has been launched on the draft Methodology for selecting the Operator of Component 2, which aims to support anti-discrimination measures at national and local level, including through the promotion of Roma minority culture and history.

Comments and suggestions may be submitted until 11 August 2025 to the email addresses provided in the official announcement: http://mmuncii.ro/j33/index.php/ro/transparenta/anunturi/7746-motodologie-selectie-componenta-2-04082025

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.