Organised by the Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity (Programme Operator of the Social Inclusion Programme), this event reunited high-level officials: Swiss Ambassador in Romania - Massimo Baggi, the Romanian Minister of Labor - Florin Manole, Director of Programme Coordination from the Roma and Travellers Division, Council of Europe - Claus Neukirch and other relevant stakeholders from the Ministry of Labor, Minister of Finance, civil society sector, etc. 

The Swiss-Romanian Social Inclusion Programme is part of the second Swiss Contribution to Romania and amounts CHF 20 million (representing the Swiss financing). It responds to the overall objective of the second Swiss Contribution, which is to contribute to the reduction of social and economic disparities within European Union and within Romania. 

The programme includes two components:

1) Delivery of social integrated services (combining health, educational and social assistance), at local level, in 7 selected Romanian cities, comprising urban marginalized areas. The cities will be selected through a call for proposals, published by the Ministry of Labor on 30.07.2025 (deadline for submissions 31.10.2025).

2) Implementation of measures that promote non-discrimination, through culture and history of Roma minority. The Ministry of Labor will launch a call for applications, to be published on its official website. 

The Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity signed an Agreement with the Council of Europe, which experts will support the programme's implementation at central and local level. 

This event was a great opportunity to show the Swiss support to an EU member state with regard to social inclusion and protection of minorities.