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EU-10
By June 2012, 210 definitive project applications for CHF 950 million have been approved. In other words, 100% of the budget for projects in the ten new Member States has been definitively approved.
Romania und Bulgaria
By the end of 2012, five project proposals for CHF 54.2 million have been provisonally approved. Moreover, 13 thematic funds and eleven individual project applications for CHF 133.6 million have
received definitive approval. In other words, CHF 187.8 million, i.e. 77% of the budget for projects in Romania and Bulgaria, has been either provisionally earmarked or definitively
approved.
On the 14th of July 2012, after five years, the commitment period of Switzerland’s EU enlargement contribution comes to an end. During this period, Switzerland appraised and approved together with the new EU-countries from Central and Eastern Europe 210 projects, which are now being implemented with the financial support of Switzerland until the end of 2017.
Principles guiding the operational implementation
Switzerland focuses on certain thematic priorities in each country. In large-sized countries, emphasis is placed on less developed remote regions. Partner countries are responsible for identifying projects. While eligible projects are selected by mutual agreement between the partner countries and Switzerland, the financial decisions are made by Switzerland. Project proposals, however, are submitted neither to the SDC nor to SECO, but rather to the National Coordination Unit of the respective partner country. It is most probable that for certain financing lines, somewhat modified procedures will be applied in the implementation of the enlargement contribution destined for Romania and Bulgaria. More detailed information on these modifications will be published further to the signature of the relevant bilateral framework agreements with these two countries.
Thematic focus: In each country, Swiss funding is used for specific priority themes (e.g. environment, education, security).
Priority areas are determined on the basis of observed needs, national planning, Switzerland’s experiences with transition phases as well as competitive offers of goods and services in our
country.
Description of thematic priorities
Thematic priorities and projects in each
country EU 10: Overview by projet objective and country
Geographic focus: In Poland, Czech Republic, Slovokia, Hungary, emphasis is placed on less developed remote regions.
Project identification and selection: responsibility for identifying and preparing projects in accordance with the agreed priorities lies primarily with the partner country.
Decisions on which projects should receive funding are made by mutual agreement between the partner country and Switzerland; financial decisions are made by Switzerland.
In each partner country, a national coordination unit (NCU – addresses) is responsible for receiving and making an initial assessment of project proposals.
Project proposals are submitted exclusively in partner countries. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) only consider project
proposals that have been forwarded to them by NCUs.
Detailed description of project selection and contract
award procedures
Guidelines for awarding contracts: Awarding of contracts for the delivery of goods and services takes place in accordance with public procurement guidelines issued by the European
Union and the World Trade Organization. Project initiators are required by the SDC and SECO to adhere to these guidelines.
Information sheet - The European Union’s Public Procurement System [de] [fr] [en] (233 KB)
How can it be ensured that resources from the Swiss contribution to enlargement will be used for their intended purposes?
In order to ensure effective use of the resources from the contribution to enlargement, the following measures, for instance, are foreseen: clear formulation of goals in submitting projects; annual
reports on project progress and attainment of goals; and guarantees of financial oversight of the project, as well as financial audits during the course of a project and upon its termination. Other
monitoring measures may also be instituted. Swiss representations in the partner countries will be augmented in order to survey the implementation of projects and programmes. Switzerland may examine
all project documents at any time, and inspect projects on site. In cases of mismanagement or corruption, Switzerland may cease payments and exact restitution of the funds already paid.