Switzerland's contribution is an investment in Europe’s security, stability and prosperity and is thus in Switzerland's interest. With the second Swiss contribution, Switzerland is also strengthening and deepening bilateral relations with its partner countries and the EU as a whole. By focusing on vocational education and training and on migration, the second Swiss contribution can help to address challenges Europe is currently facing – challenges which also affect Switzerland.
The decision to release this second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states is part of the Federal Council's European policy agenda, which seeks the continuation of the bilateral approach. In swiftly releasing the contribution, Switzerland is sending a positive signal in favour of a well-functioning partnership with the EU following the termination of negotiations on an institutional agreement.
On 30 September 2021, the Federal Assembly voted to release the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. This removed a condition regarding the 'cohesion' and 'migration' framework credits approved in 2019 which had blocked the implementation of the contribution.
The second contribution matches the value of the enlargement contribution, i.e. CHF 1.302 billion, or an average of CHF 130 million a year over a ten-year period. It will be channelled into selected projects and programmes in the partner countries and will not be transferred directly into their budgets or to the EU.
Cohesion framework credit
Switzerland has earmarked CHF 1.102 billion for the 13 EU Member States that have joined the EU since 2004, namely Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (EU-13). The contribution is intended to strengthen cohesion, with a particular focus on the priority area of vocational education and training. The funding may also be invested in other areas such as research and innovation, welfare and healthcare systems, public safety, civic involvement and transparency, environmental and climate protection and SME financing, in line with the priorities set by the partner countries and Switzerland. Funding commitments in these areas must be made within five years, i.e. by 3 December 2024.
Migration framework credit
CHF 200 million will be used for migration-related measures in countries which are particularly affected by migration movements. The contribution can therefore also benefit EU member states outside the EU-13, and will be used by Switzerland to support measures to improve the management of migratory movements.
