Deuxième contribution suisse - EN

Increasing Energy Efficiency & Promoting Renewable Energy in Alpine Regions

The project helps Slovenia reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the use of clean energy. It supports local energy planning through a national digital platform, develops renewable energy communities in public education, replaces fossil-fuel heating with geothermal heat pumps and photovoltaics, and tests solar panels on farmland for combined food and electricity production. The project helps public institutions meet Slovenia’s 2030 energy and climate targets by increasing renewable energy use.

Water and Wastewater Management

The project supports sustainable development in Croatia’s Gorski Kotar region by improving drinking water and wastewater services. It upgrades water supply and sewerage systems, installs wastewater treatment plants, and promotes solar and hydropower to improve energy efficiency. It also strengthens public water utilities through training and support for young professionals. The project improves service quality, reduces pollution, enhances the long-term sustainability of water systems, and creates conditions for future economic activity.

Development of Towns Programme

The project supports the economic and social development of 19 medium-sized towns in Poland. Facing declining economic activity and population loss, the towns receive grants for infrastructure and local services based on residents’ needs. The project supports small and medium-sized businesses, creates opportunities for young people, strengthens social services and integration, improves public safety, promotes renewable energy for municipal heating and supports public transport. It helps make towns more inclusive, resilient and economically strong.

Maternal and Child Health and Wellbeing

The programme improves outpatient care throughout Lithuania for pregnant women, new mothers, newborns and children with developmental disorders. Today, there are large regional differences, and health and social services do not yet work together optimally. The programme develops national standards, trains specialists and equips health facilities. An important Swiss partner is the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). This helps to avoid unnecessary hospital stays, provides better and closer support for families and reduces inequalities in care.

Strengthening Vocational Education and Training

The programme brings schools and companies closer together in Latvian vocational education and training, inspired by Switzerland’s dual training model. Latvia is short of skilled workers, and what is taught in schools often does not match what the labour market needs. The programme introduces industry-aligned examinations, develops digital learning tools and simulation equipment, and improves teacher training. Latvia has concluded partnerships with Hotel & Gastro formation and the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET. The result is vocational training closely connected to business.

Supporting Social Inclusion in Estonia

The programme helps people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to take a more active part in society in Estonia. Many residents speak little Estonian, some groups live apart, both geographically and in the media they use, and access to education and social services is unequal. The programme improves language learning, modernises training for social and education professionals, supports parents and helps Ukrainian refugees to integrate. It builds on social innovation, one of Estonia’s strengths, and on civic participation. For some components, Estonia works with the Bern University of Applied Sciences.

Geothermal Energy Resources for District Heating

The project helps Hungary reduce its dependence on natural gas for district heating, which currently covers over 70% of demand. It expands the use of abundant geothermal energy to provide clean heat for homes and public buildings such as schools. Geothermal wells and heating stations are modernised, existing networks upgraded and more buildings connected to geothermal heat. Public campaigns explain the benefits, including lower costs and cleaner air. The project reduces pollution, supports Hungary’s climate goals and cuts reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism & Strengthening Biodiversity in Protected Areas

The project protects nature in Slovakia and supports local jobs by making tourism in and around protected areas more sustainable. All nine national parks in poorer regions will promote eco-friendly tourism that preserves wildlife and landscapes. The project improves visitor facilities, raises awareness about nature, develops new tourism activities and involves local communities in conservation. It also tests new ways to protect rare plants and animals. By balancing tourism and nature protection, the project supports local economies while preserving Slovakia’s natural heritage.

Swiss-Czech Research Infrastructure Cooperation

The programme connects Czech and Swiss research institutions, in particular the ELI Beamlines research facility near Prague and the Paul Scherrer Institute. One example is SWISSELITE, in which researchers jointly develop measurement and analysis methods for X-ray, radiation and accelerator experiments. The programme integrates Czech research infrastructure more closely into European networks and supports young researchers through exchanges and training. In this way, it strengthens scientific cooperation between the two countries and the Czech Republic’s capacity to innovate.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Programme

In ten Romanian municipalities, the project supports the renovation of public buildings, including schools, a nursing home and an indoor swimming pool. The aim is to transform them into energy-efficient, near-zero-emission buildings. Minergie Switzerland contributes its expertise: together with the municipalities, the initial situation was analysed and renovation needs were identified. Swiss experts support the projects from feasibility studies through to construction. Knowledge transfer is ensured through exchanges with Romanian experts and a training programme including webinars and practical courses. This benefits both the ongoing projects and future sustainable construction.

Dual Vocational Education and Training in Bulgaria

The programme helps Bulgaria to firmly embed dual vocational education and training, which combines learning at school and in companies, in its education system. Building on a first phase, it strengthens public institutions, schools and companies so that they can provide high-quality, practice-oriented training. It also helps to develop policies and training standards and supports companies in providing structured workplace training. In this way, it helps to reduce youth unemployment and better align skills with labour market needs.

Committee on Missing Persons (CMP)

In Cyprus, Switzerland supports the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). This bi-communal body was set up in 1981 by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities with the participation of the UN. It searches for the remains of around 2,000 people who went missing during the intercommunal fighting of 1963–1964 and after the military intervention by Türkiye in 1974, identifies them and returns them to their families. More than 60 specialists in archaeology, anthropology and genetics work on this. The CMP does not investigate responsibility or cause of death. It provides certainty for families and strengthens trust between the communities.

Strengthening Cardiovascular Care and Prevention

The programme improves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in Malta. It equips a modern examination and intervention room for complex heart procedures, runs a public campaign promoting healthier lifestyles and awareness of warning signs, and trains medical staff. Emergency care is also strengthened, including through training in Switzerland with Rega and Secours Alpin Romand.