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16.12.2025

Launch of the Health Services Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Addiction among Children and Adolescents


The Ministry of Finance, acting as the National Coordination Unit, participated in the launch event of the Health Services Programme – Increasing the Capacities for Prevention and Treatment of Addiction of Children and Adolescents in Romania, financed under the Second Swiss Contribution, held on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, in Bucharest.

The Ministry of Finance was represented by Ms Cosmina Manolescu, Director General and Head of the National Coordination Unit, who addressed the importance of strengthening the capacity of the public health system to respond to a sensitive issue with major social impact and long-term consequences for the population. Ms Manolescu also underlined the role of the National Coordination Unit in ensuring strategic coherence and sound governance of programmes financed through the Swiss Contribution, as well as the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and partnerships with international actors. The newly launched programme reflects an integrated, evidence-based approach grounded in good practices and institutional accountability, in which prevention, treatment and professional training are addressed as components of a single public policy ecosystem.

His Excellency Mr Massimo Baggi, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to bilateral cooperation and to supporting interventions with systemic impact, built on expertise, knowledge transfer and strong partnerships.

Ms Luminița Odobescu, State Adviser within the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, reconfirmed the Romanian Government’s support for this programme, highlighting the strategic relevance of investments in prevention, mental health and the protection of children and adolescents, as well as the need for a coherent approach assumed at government level.

The UNICEF Representative in Romania, Ms Anna Riatti, emphasized the innovative nature of the programme and UNICEF’s intention to build on the experience and results achieved in Romania in order to develop replicable models and solutions that can subsequently be adapted and applied in other regions of the world facing similar vulnerabilities.

The event brought together representatives of the Romanian Government, the Embassy of Switzerland, UNICEF, central and local public authorities in the health sector, as well as national and international experts. Discussions confirmed a shared understanding of the need for a coordinated intervention combining institutional capacity-building, improved mental health services and increased levels of education and awareness among children, adolescents and their families.

The programme aims to contribute to strengthening the resilience of the public health system and to protecting younger generations through sustainable measures that are tested and adapted to the national context, in full alignment with the objectives of the Second Swiss Contribution in Romania.
04.12.2025

Launch of the Security and Public Safety (Justice) Programme: Switzerland and Romania strengthen their cooperation to consolidate the rule of law


The Security and Public Safety Programme, financed under the Swiss–Romanian Cooperation Programme as part of the second Swiss Contribution and managed by the Ministry of Justice as Programme Operator, was launched on Wednesday, 3 December, in Bucharest. The programme supports the Romanian state’s capacity to respond to increasingly complex challenges in the fields of criminality and citizen protection.

As the National Coordination Unit, the Ministry of Finance is responsible for ensuring coherence, continuity and stability across the entire Swiss–Romanian Cooperation Programme. The event reconfirmed the need for strong and timely coordination, capable of supporting projects as they advance and of providing judicial institutions with the predictable framework they require to operate effectively.

Attending the event, the Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, highlighted the strategic role of the programme in modernising judicial instruments and strengthening the rule of law.

“This is a well-targeted programme, built on solid Swiss expertise, exactly in the areas where Romania needs support the most: financial crime, the use of specialised investigative software, damage recovery and the protection of vulnerable individuals,” he stated in his intervention.

The programme has a total budget of CHF 11.76 million, of which CHF 10 million represent non-reimbursable funding. Its structure addresses key areas of today’s justice system: combating organised crime, corruption and financial offences; investigating digital crimes; strengthening the national asset-recovery framework; and developing a child-friendly justice system. Each component is based on the experience accumulated during the first Swiss Contribution and on sustained dialogue with judicial institutions and Swiss partners.

The Security and Public Safety (Justice) Programme provides the judicial system with modern tools, specialised training and international expertise, bringing together the contributions of the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the National Anticorruption Directorate, ANABI, the Superior Council of Magistracy, the National Institute of Magistracy and Swiss partners such as the Basel Institute. Experts present at the conference emphasised the integrated nature of these interventions and their potential to strengthen operational coherence across institutions in a field where case complexity continues to grow.
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/
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