05.06.2009 - Article
Launch of the first project in the Czech Republic

The first projects in the framework of the co-operation between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, which are financed through Switzerland’s enlargement contribution, have been presented at a conference in Prague on 5 June 2009. An agreement will been signed in the next few days on the partnership fund, which promotes co-operation and partnerships between Czech and Swiss municipal authorities and organisations.

The partnership fund promotes co-operation and partnerships between Czech and Swiss municipal authorities and organisations, and in this way contributes to the principal objectives of the enlargement contribution, which include the reduction of economic and social disparities in the enlarged European Union.  The enlargement contribution supports small projects involving outlays of between CHF 10,000 and 250,000 designed to contribute to the solution of concrete developmental challenges in the Czech Republic through the exchange of knowledge and practical know-how.

In April this year, an agreement was signed on the promotion of scientific exchanges. As from autumn 2009, young scientists and researchers from the Czech Republic will be able to join Swiss research teams for periods of 6-24 months to gain further qualifications. These exchanges will be financed through the Sciex-NMSch programme, which will extend over the next seven years. The pilot phase of this programme is currently being carried out in close co-operation with the Czech Republic. 

Invitation to submit projects

In the private sector, the outline of a project has already been approved on the application of financial reporting and auditing rules for companies. This project is now in the process of finalisation. In the areas of environment and infrastructure, submissions for projects will be collected in the third quarter. Following a pre-selection process carried out by the Czech side, Switzerland will make final decisions on which of the projects it will support. In the second half of 2009, calls will go out to submit projects in the other thematic areas: regional development, security, health care and the promotion of civil society and the private sector.  In a few areas, project plans will be submitted directly by the relevant ministries.

Website on Switzerland's enlargement contribution
http://www.erweiterungsbeitrag.admin.ch/de/Home/Laender/Tschechische_Republik
Website of the Office for the implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution in the Czech Republic
http://www.swiss-contribution.admin.ch/czechrepublic/
Partnerships between the 10 EU partner countries and Switzerland
http://www.erweiterungsbeitrag.admin.ch/de/Home/Project_selection/Finding_non_commercial_partners_in_Switzerland/Partnerships
Scientific Exchange Programme (Sciex-NMSch)
http://www.sciex.ch
Partnership Fund
http://www.erweiterungsbeitrag.admin.ch/en/Home/Projekte/Projekt_Detailansicht?projectinfoID=179956