(eesti keeles)
The preparations for the Estonian-Swiss Cooperation Programme started in January 2007 when the first meeting with the Swiss delegation was held. In a year the Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the ministries responsible for the specific field worked out the Estonian propositions concerning the Framework Agreement and in June a general agreement was reached after negotiations with the Swiss regarding the Framework Agreement and its annexes. The details of the Framework Agreement were specified until November.
The Framework Agreement of the cooperation programme was signed on 20th of December 2007 in Bern. In the name of the Estonian Government the Framework Agreement was signed by the Minister of Finance Mr Ivari Padar and in the name of the Swiss Federal Council the Framework Agreement was signed by the president Ms Micheline Calmy-Rey and Ms Doris Leuthard.
The Framework Agreement stipulates that Switzerland will support the economic and social development of Estonia with 39,92 million Swiss francs (about 370 million Estonian kroons) in 2007-2012. Additionally, the Framework Agreement also sets out the general conditions and forms of this financial support (projects, programmes, technical assistance fund and special allocations).
Full text in English and in Estonian.
Annex 1 describes the allocation principles in different focus areas. According to the Framework Agreement most of the contribution will be directed to regional programmes which aim is to create healthier living environment in Estonia.
Full text in English and in Estonian.
Annex 2 focuses on general procedures for project submission and implementation. It also specifies the system of reimbursements and requirements for reporting and auditing. Annex 2 brings out responsibilities of the involved parties.
Full text in English and in Estonian.
Annex 3 contains general conditions for special financing facilities (e.g. Block Grants (the NGO Block Grant), the Technical Assistance Fund, the Project Preparation Facility and the Scholarship Fund).Full text in English and in Estonian.
Projects to be financed from the Estonian-Swiss Cooperation Programme:
| Project | Intermediate Body/ Executing Agency | Contribution
in CHF | Implementation Period
Status |
| 1 | Measures for securing borders - Capacity enhancement in various areas of forensic science and pre-trial procedures to prevent crimes and the capacity of emergency response | Ministry of Justice/ Estonian Forensic Science Institute | 3 500 000 | ~ 3 years
Agreement signed on 28.05.2009 |
| 2 | Prevention and management of natural disasters - Increasing fire safety in social and health service institutions | The Ministry of the Interior/
The Rescue Board | 986 006 | ~ 2,5 years
Project Outline submitted, Final Project Proposal under preparation |
| 3 | Strengthening information and communication technology systems of Emergency Respond Centre | The Ministry of the Interior/ The Emergency Respond Centre | 2 013 994 | ~ 2 years
Agreement signed on 25.02.2010 |
| 4 | Enhancing public environmental monitoring capacities in order to reduce environmental pollution, increase living standards and promote sustainable economic development | Ministry of the Environment/
different authorities | 8 500 000 | ~ 7 years
Project Outline submitted, Final Project Proposal under preparation |
| 5 | Improvement of the Environment - Reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions by increasing energy efficiency in public buildings and development of new building standards | Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications | 6 500 000 | ~ 3 years
Project Outline submitted, Final Project Proposal under preparation |
| 6 | Financial reporting and auditing standards – Implementation and enforcement of the Acquis Communautaire | The Ministry of Finance/ Project Partner: The World Bank | 2 000 000 | ~ 5 years
Agreement signed on 23.01.2009 |
| 7 | Creation of the Healthy Environment for Children without Parental Care - Building children’s homes in Viljandi, Saarepedi, Juuru and Elva | The Ministry of Social Affairs | 5 640 000 | ~ 2,5 years
Agreement signed on 29.09.2009 |
| 8 | Procurement of radio communication and information technology devices and linking emergency medicine departments of emergency medical care and active care hospitals with the integrated national communication system of alarm services | The Ministry of Social Affairs/
The Health Board | 1 280 000 | ~ 2 years
Agreement signed on 25.02.2010 |
| 9 | The Scholarship Fund | CRUS (The Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities) | 1 580 000 | ~ 7 years
Agreement signed on 15.05.2009 |
| 10 | The NGO Fund | Ministry of the Interior and The National Foundation of Civil Society | 2 500 000 | ~ 7 years
Project Outline submitted, Final Project Proposal under preparation |
| 11 | Project Preparation Facility | Ministry of Finance/ Used by some compilers of Final Project Proposals | 200 000 | ~ 2 years
Agreement signed on 23.01.2009 |
| 12 | Technical Assistance (Contribution for administrating the cooperation programme) | Ministry of Finance | 2 000 000 | ~ 8,5 years
Agreement signed on 15.05.2009 |
Legal Basis
In 2006 the President of the Council of the European Union and the Swiss Federal Council signed the Memorandum of Understanding with a purpose to establish the cooperation programme. In the framework of the programme, all new member states that joined the EU in 2004 will be able to use the Swiss contribution in order to reduce the economic and social disparities within the enlarged EU.
In order to implement the cooperation programme each country signed a bilateral framework agreement which stipulates the procedures for using the contribution in the corresponding beneficiary state - rules for planning and administration of the contribution and also the focus areas.
The Ministry of Finance coordinates the implementation of the cooperation programme in Estonia.
Switzerland's Contribution to EU Enlargement
Additional information:
Diana Talihärm
Chief Specialist
Structural and Foreign Assistance Department
Phone: 611 3496
E-mail: diana.taliharm@fin.ee
