The Framework Agreement on the implementation of the Swiss-Croatian program of cooperation regarding reducing of economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union was signed today (30 June 2015) between the Swiss Federal Council and the Croatian Government by the Vice president of the Croatian Government and the Minister of the regional development and European funds, mister Branko Grčić and the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation in the Republic of Croatia, Mr Stefan Estermann. Through this program Croatia provided grants in the amount of CHF 45 million, or about 326.5 million kunas for projects to be implemented in the period from 2016th to 2024th year.
Swiss Confederation has established a program of cooperation on 26 March 2006 under the name Swiss contribution to the EU enlargements. This program was used till today by 12 member states and Croatia has become the thirteenth country that formally has started to participate in the program that aims to reduce social and economic disparities in the European Union.
The Swiss-Croatian program of cooperation is the part of the continuation of Swiss solidarity in sharing efforts with the EU aiming at reducing of economic and social disparities in the youngest EU member state. Signing of this Framework Agreement is the joint result of the work of the Croatian Government led by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU funds and the Swiss Federal Council acting through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
A special role in the preparation of all the activities that enabled the signing of this agreement was provided by the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in the Republic of Croatia.
This Swiss-Croatian cooperation program will support activities to directly enable the betterment of Croatian citizens. Through this program, Croatia expects further strengthening of bilateral relations with Switzerland, the creation of institutional partnerships between Croatia and Switzerland, contribution to reducing social inequality and support to economic development.
Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs will act as Intermediate body and Executive agency, for the projects that aim to promote the contribution of the civil society to the economic and social cohesion through the grant worth 4,8 million CHF, and also for the other grant worth 2 million Swiss francs for projects aimed at promoting partnership and bilateral cooperation between Croatian and Swiss non-profit organizations.
