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30.10.2025

Launch of the Civic Engagement Programme: a new step in strengthening Swiss–Romanian cooperation


Switzerland and Romania marked, on 28 October 2025, the official launch of the Civic Engagement Programme, part of the second Swiss Contribution to the EU Member States, an important initiative aimed at strengthening civil society and promoting democratic values. Through this programme, Romania takes a further step toward building a mature civil society, capable of contributing actively to good governance, social dialogue, and community cohesion.

Over 130 participants, representatives of civil society organisations, the diplomatic community, and public institutions—gathered in Bucharest to celebrate the start of a Programme dedicated to fostering citizens’ active involvement in public life and to developing a solid, transparent, and inclusive civic space. The event brought together representatives of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bucharest, the National Coordination Unit, the Swiss Contribution Office, and the Programme Operator.

The Ministry of Finance, through the National Coordination Unit (NCU), ensures the overall coordination of the Swiss–Romanian Cooperation Programme at national level. During the event, Ms Raluca Diaconeasa-Gîrniță, Head of Unit within the Directorate-General for European Affairs and International Cooperation, underlined the importance of synergies among the programmes financed through the Swiss Contribution and their role in reducing socio-economic disparities and promoting sustainable development:

“The Civic Engagement Programme is a pillar designed to stimulate lasting change and to transform the diversity of initiatives into a coherent, citizen-centred effort that responds to the needs of the community.”

With a total allocation of CHF 14 million, the Civic Engagement Programme finances, through two calls for proposals, initiatives supporting civic participation, transparency, environmental and biodiversity protection, non-discrimination, media freedom, and assistance for vulnerable groups. During the event, representatives of the organisations proposed for funding discussed their submitted projects in a dedicated panel, and the second call for proposals, promoting civic involvement and participation, was officially presented.

The Programme is implemented by a consortium composed of the Foundation for the Development of Civil Society, the Foundation for Partnership, and KEK–CDC Switzerland, acting as the Programme Operator. (elvetiaromania.ro)

 
15.10.2025

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
15.10.2025

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
15.10.2025

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/
23.09.2025

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.
04.08.2025

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
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