Erweiterungsbeitrag

Switzerland supports the Slovak Republic with a total amount of 66,866 million Swiss francs (approximately 44,570 million EUR) over five years (2008 – 2012). These funds are part of the Swiss contribution to the ten states that joined the European Union on 1st May 2004. The overall goal of the Swiss contribution is to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union. The Framework Agreement between Switzerland and Slovakia was signed on 20 December 2007. The first calls for proposals and direct appointments will be realised in the year 2009.

The National Coordination Unit for the Swiss – Slovak Cooperation Programme is the Government Office of the Slovak Republic. To facilitate the communication between the Slovak and Swiss stakeholders a Swiss Contribution Office has been set-up within the Embassy of Switzerland in Bratislava.

Security, stability, and support for reforms

Switzerland will promote regional development initiatives in peripheral or disadvantaged regions. To this end, specific projects in the field of social services, social inclusion, fight against poverty as well as in the tourism sector will be financed. Furthermore, Switzerland will assist the Slovak institutions in combating corruption and organised crime. Additional funds will be provided to enhance the prevention and management of natural disasters.

Environment and infrastructure

The rehabilitation and modernisation of basic infrastructure and the improvement of the environment constitute the focus of this activity area. On the one hand, in order to increase living standards and to further sustainable economic development, enhanced wastewater management as well as solid waste management on municipal level will be promoted. On the other hand, Switzerland will provide funds for measures aiming at the protection of nature sources and the functioning of eco-systems in a sustainable manner.

Promotion of the private sector

In order to increase the market shares of Slovak exports of goods and services, Switzerland will, on the one hand, support the promotion of quality standards and, on the other hand, promotion of e-business application and e-security in the business sector.

Human and social development

Switzerland will contribute to linking school leavers’ profiles with labour market needs and to adjust school leavers’ skills and competencies to knowledge society needs. In addition, in order to strengthen the scientific potential, applied research and access to higher education, Swiss funds will be used to grant scholarships in Switzerland to finance Swiss – Slovak joint research projects.

NGO/Partnership Block Grant

The Block Grant scheme will provide assistance to many small projects. Within the NGO/Partnership Block Grant initiatives of the civil society contributing to social service provision as well as to environmental concerns will be supported. The ‘Partnership’ component of the grant shall promote and/or enhance partnerships between institutions, municipalities and regions of the Slovak Republic and Switzerland.

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