News - Swiss

Call for the Selection and Training of European Energy Award Consultants in Romania

The Romanian Association of Regional Development Agencies - ROREG has launched a call for applications for the selection, training and certification of 16 European Energy Award (eea) consultants.

The selected consultants will join the national network of specialists supporting local public authorities in applying the European Energy Award methodology, assessing and certifying their performance, and developing and monitoring local energy and climate policies.

Applications are open to individuals residing in Romania who hold a university degree in a relevant field and have at least two years of professional experience in areas such as energy efficiency, energy and climate policies, renewable energy, environmental protection, spatial planning, buildings, mobility, or water and waste management.

Applications must be submitted exclusively by email to candidaturi.roeea@roreg.eu by 21 August 2026, 23:59.

The European Energy Award Programme in Romania – ROeea is coordinated by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects and implemented in partnership with ROREG under the “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” Support Measure, funded through the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The selection guidelines, annexes and full details of the call are available on the webpage dedicated to the call: https://roreg.eu/programul-roeea/consultan%C8%9Bi-certifica%C8%9Bi-eea.

Extended deadline for applications under the call for piloting Level 5 vocational training programmes

The National Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development, acting as Programme Operator under the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, announces the extension of the deadline for submitting funding applications under the call for piloting and testing NQF/EQF Level 5 qualifications.

The new deadline is 29 July 2026, 16:30.

The call is addressed to pre-university education institutions and non-university tertiary colleges authorised or accredited by order of the Minister of Education to provide the NQF/EQF Level 5 qualifications to be piloted.

The funded projects are expected to pilot at least six Level 5 vocational education and training programmes, each including a work-based learning component of at least 50%.

The total financial allocation for the call amounts to CHF 3,500,000, of which 85%, corresponding to CHF 2,975,000, is provided through the Swiss contribution, while 15%, corresponding to CHF 525,000, is to be covered through beneficiary co-financing. Beneficiaries may request annual advance payments of up to 90% of the Swiss contribution.

Following the extension of the submission deadline, the evaluation and selection timetable has also been updated. Applications will be evaluated between 30 July and 13 August 2026. The evaluation results will be published on 17 August 2026, while the final results will be communicated on 21 August 2026. The financing agreements are expected to be concluded between 24 and 31 August 2026.

The eligibility, evaluation and selection criteria, the application documents and the complete participation conditions are set out in the Applicant’s Guide and its annexes.

Further information is available on the Programme Operator’s website: https://www.cndipt.ro/operator-de-program

SME Eco-Tech: More Flexible Conditions for Financing Green and Digital Investments by SMEs

Update - 24 July 2026: The deadline for submitting funding applications has been extended to 24 September 2026, at 20:00. This measure gives eligible enterprises additional time to prepare and submit their projects, including in light of the recent changes to the programme. Depending on the take-up of the available funding, the application period may be further extended until the allocated budget is exhausted.

Under the SME Eco-Tech component, the electronic platform https://sme-ecotech.gov.ro remains open for the submission of financing application forms.

Eligible enterprises may apply until 24 July 2026, 20:00, to access favourable financing for investments in green technologies, energy efficiency solutions and digitalisation. The deadline may be extended until the available funds are exhausted.

The Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism has made the access conditions under the programme more flexible, in order to allow a larger number of economic operators to apply for financing and to accelerate green and digital investments.

The amendments were approved through the Order published in the Official Gazette No. 558 of 7 July 2026, and the updated implementation procedure may be consulted here: https://economie.gov.ro/procedura-de-implementare-a-programului-pentru-consolidarea-imm-urilor-prin-acces-imbunatatit-la-finantare-sme-eco-tech-consolidata/.

Following these amendments, micro-enterprises established no later than 31 December 2021 may also apply for financing, provided that they recorded a turnover of at least RON 2 million as of 31 December 2024 and meet the eligibility conditions set out under the programme.

At the same time, the programme is no longer limited to production activities. Enterprises carrying out trade and service activities are also eligible, except for sectors excluded under European and national legislation on de minimis aid.

The SME Eco-Tech programme, implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism under the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, aims to support green and digital investments made by SMEs in the production, trade and services sectors, contributing to reducing environmental impact, increasing the competitiveness and productivity of enterprises, stimulating domestic production and supporting employment.

The total budget of the programme for the 2025–2027 period is CHF 54,041,886, equivalent to RON 288,843,072. Under this de minimis aid scheme, at least 800 SMEs from all eight development regions of Romania are expected to receive financing. The financial support consists of a grant covering up to 40% of the eligible expenditure related to an investment project, within the limit of CHF 50,000, equivalent to RON 267,240. The remaining amount will be covered through a bank loan of at least 60%, contracted with one of the partner banks selected by the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism. The mandatory minimum value of an investment project is RON 668,100.

Financing will be granted in the order in which applications are submitted, according to the “first come, first served” principle.

More information about the programme and the financing application process is available on the website of the Programme Operator – the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism: https://economie.gov.ro/programul-sme-eco-tech/.

2026 Annual Meeting of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme

The Ministry of Finance, acting as the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss Contribution, organised the fourth Annual Meeting of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme from 17 to 19 June 2026. The event included official meetings, practical training sessions and technical discussions aimed at setting common priorities. The meetings were attended by representatives of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Contribution Office (SCO), as well as by representatives of the Paying Authority, within the Ministry of European Investments and Projects, the Audit Authority, within the Ministry of Finance, and the programme operators.

The discussions confirmed the solid nature of the cooperation between Romania and Switzerland, built on institutional trust, financial responsibility and a shared focus on concrete results. During the activities, participants reviewed the progress achieved under the 11 programmes currently under implementation, in areas such as social inclusion, health, dual education, research, public safety, justice, energy efficiency, regional development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, the discussions addressed the operational challenges encountered during implementation, the timetable of activities, institutional partnerships and the need for permanent coordination among the coordination structures, programme operators, beneficiaries and Swiss partners.

The first day was dedicated to the Annual Meeting and to several programme-level technical meetings. In the margins of the first day, the Minister of Finance, Mr Alexandru Nazare, held a meeting with Mr Pietro Lazzeri, Ambassador, Head of the Economic Cooperation and Development Division and Head of the Swiss delegation on official visit to Romania. On this occasion, it was underlined that the Romanian-Swiss dialogue goes beyond the scope of a technical review and confirms a mature partnership, which has become an important reference point for Romania’s development. The meeting also provided a framework for an exchange of views on the future prospects of Swiss-Romanian cooperation, in the context of discussions on Switzerland’s contribution to European cohesion, as well as in other areas of common interest.

The second day focused on a practical training session organised by the National Coordination Unit in cooperation with the Swiss partners. The training was dedicated to specialists from all Romanian institutions involved in the management and implementation of the thematic programmes financed through the Second Swiss Contribution. Its main objective was to optimise working methods, prevent implementation risks and ensure the proper monitoring of the use of the allocated funds.

On the third day, the event concluded with a series of technical working meetings attended by programme operators and programme component operators. These meetings aimed to align all teams with the next stages of the calendar, by establishing concrete steps and common milestones for the period ahead, so that the objectives undertaken by the Romanian and Swiss sides can be effectively achieved.

SME Eco-Tech: Funding Open for Green Investments by Manufacturing SMEs

Under the SME Eco-Tech component, the electronic platform https://sme-ecotech.gov.ro was opened on 26 May 2026 for the submission of funding registration forms.

SME Eco-Tech is addressed to small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry, which may access favourable financing for investments in green technologies and energy efficiency solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact.

The programme is financed under the second Swiss contribution granted to Romania, within the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme (SRCP 2), with a budget of RON 288.8 million, of which 70% represents the Swiss contribution.

The financial support available to small and medium-sized enterprises consists of a grant covering up to 40% of the eligible expenditure of an investment project, up to CHF 50,000, equivalent to RON 267,240. The remaining amount will be covered through a bank loan of at least 60%, contracted with one of the partner banks selected by the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism. The minimum value of an investment project is RON 668,100.

Through the implementation of this component, more than 800 beneficiaries are expected to receive support, contributing to the technological modernisation of Romanian SMEs and to accelerating the transition towards a sustainable economy.

Further information about the programme and the funding application process is available on the website of the Programme Operator – the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, at: https://economie.gov.ro/programul-sme-eco-tech/.

Launch of the Public Security and Safety Program: A new chapter in the strategic cooperation between Romania and Switzerland

On April 30, 2026, the launch event of the "Public Security and Safety (Home Affairs) Program", funded under the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Program, took place.

The representative of the Ministry of Finance at this event, Ms. Cosmina Manolescu, Head of the National Coordination Unit for the Swiss contribution, stressed the importance of continuing the successful collaboration from the first Swiss contribution. This new stage represents a confirmation of the mutual trust between the two states and a consolidation of the common commitment for the sustainable development of Romania.

The event was also attended by the Swiss Ambassador to Bucharest, His Excellency Massimo Baggi, and Mr. Dr. Raed Arafat, Secretary of State and Head of the Department for Emergency Situations, who highlighted the importance and complexity of the program.

It aims at interventions with systemic impact, based on the transfer of expertise and solid partnerships, with the main aim of strengthening institutional and operational capacity in critical areas for citizens, such as: public safety, protection of vulnerable persons, strengthening the response capacity in emergency situations.

The launch brought together representatives of Romanian and Swiss institutions who will ensure the efficient implementation of the program. The unified message of the partners involved was one of responsibility: upon operational completion, the security system in Romania must be more robust, and the degree of trust of citizens in institutions must be considerably improved.

Through this program, the Ministry of Finance reaffirms its active role in coordinating external resources intended to modernize public services and increase safety standards for all Romanian citizens.

For more information about the launch event, visit: https://www.mai.gov.ro/conferinta-de-lansare-a-programului-de-securitate-si-siguranta-publica-afaceri-interne-finantat-prin-intermediul-contributiei-elvetiene-2/

Bridges Between School and Professional Life: Call for Projects to Pilot Level 5 Vocational Training Programs Under the Second Swiss Contribution

The National Center for the Development of Vocational and Technical Education, as Program Operator under the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Program, is launching a call for projects for pre-university educational institutions and non-university tertiary colleges authorized/accredited by Order of the Minister of Education for the provision of Level 5 NQF/EQF qualifications that are to be piloted.

These projects aim to pilot at least six vocational training programs for Level 5 NQF/EQF, with a workplace learning component of at least 50%.

The total financial allocation is CHF 3,500,000, consisting of an 85% (CHF 2,975,000) Swiss contribution and 15% (CHF 525,000) co-financing provided by the beneficiaries. They may also request advances of 90% of the Swiss contribution, granted annually.

The eligibility, evaluation, and selection criteria, as well as the grant application documents, are set out in the Applicant’s Guide and its annexes, and the application period is April 8 –June 30, 2026.

Full details regarding the conditions for participation can be found here: https://www.cndipt.ro/operator-de-program

Swiss Contribution under implementation

The status of the programs under the second Swiss contribution in Romania is the focus of the meetings organized from March 24 to 27, 2026, by the Ministry of Finance, through the General Directorate for European Affairs and International Cooperation, in its capacity as the National Coordination Unit for the Switzerland–Romania Cooperation Program, together with representatives of the Swiss Agency for

Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Swiss Contribution Office in Romania (SCO), as well as as those of the Program Operators and Program Component Operators.

The mission also provided a forum for a discussion between Mr. Florin-Alexandru Zaharia, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and the Swiss representatives, Ms. Debora Kern, Head of the Section for EU Member States, and Mr. Markus Bürli, Program Manager, regarding the programs in the SDC’s portfolio, as well as the state of bilateral relations.

The mission also included technical discussions with the Program Operators and Program Component Operators regarding ongoing programs, which have entered a complex phase marked primarily by the launch of activities, the drafting of guidelines for the launch of calls for proposals, the preparation and implementation of public procurement procedures, as well as collaboration within partnerships with Swiss institutions and international organizations.

Furthermore, as part of the activities carried out under the Public Security and Safety Program (Home Affairs), a field visit took place on March 26 in Slatina at the "Nicolae Golescu" Police Academy to exchange views on the implementation of the community policing concept and its expansion into rural areas, as well as on police training.

We appreciate the good cooperation and constructive discussions held with our Swiss and Romanian partners during this mission.

Call for selection of a Romanian partner university under the Dual Education (VET) Programme

The National Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development (CNDIPT) has launched a call for the selection of a Romanian higher education institution to act as partner within the “Dual Education (VET)” Programme, implemented under the Swiss–Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The call targets universities with relevant expertise and experience in vocational education and training (VET), interested in contributing to the development of dual education policies and practices in Romania.

The selected Romanian partner will collaborate with a Swiss institution in the framework of Component 1 – “Policy dialogue in the field of dual education (VET)”, supporting activities such as policy analysis, stakeholder consultation, and the development of strategic frameworks for strengthening dual education at national level.

The partnership is part of a broader effort to improve the relevance and quality of vocational education, strengthen links between education and the labour market, and support the development of a modern dual education system in Romania.

Eligible applicants include accredited Romanian higher education institutions that demonstrate:

• relevant academic and institutional experience in VET,
• capacity to engage in policy development and international cooperation,
• administrative and financial capacity to implement project activities.

The selected partner will benefit from Swiss financial support, with a total eligible budget of up to CHF 150,000, covering activities related to analysis, consultations, and the development of policy recommendations and strategic documents.

Interested institutions are invited to consult the full call documentation, including eligibility criteria, application requirements, and the selection calendar, and to submit their applications within the specified deadline.

Full details are available here: http://www.cndipt.ro/anunturi-operator-componenta-de-program/

Open call for the selection of MHCATC centres

The Ministry of Health, through the National Center for Mental Health and Anti-Drug Action (CNSMLA), has launched a call for public healthcare units that include Mental Health Centers for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (MHCATC).

The call is part of the Health Programme “Strengthening the capacity to prevent and treat addictions among children and adolescents in Romania” and aims to strengthen services dedicated to child and adolescent mental health.

Four centers will be selected and will benefit from:

• staff training,
• the possibility to expand the multidisciplinary team with two additional positions,
• investments of approximately CHF 120,000 for infrastructure and equipment.

Aplication period: 16–30 March 2026 (23:59)
Applications should be submitted to: proiecte.cnsmla@gmail.com
For additional information:: Dr. Ioana Moraru – ioana.moraru@cnsm.org.ro