The aim of Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme is to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union. On 20 December 2007 in Berne, The Polish Minister of Regional Development, Elżbieta Bieńkowska has signed an agreement concerning the implementation of the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme. Switzerland has made available CHF 1 billion for the countries that joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. The contribution to Poland amounts to CHF 489,02 million.

Negotiations on Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme

In October 2007 the Ministry of Regional Development has finished the negotiations with Swiss partner on  the Framework agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Swiss Federal Council concerning the implementation of the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union. The document was approved by the Polish Council of Ministers on 7 November 2007 and by Swiss Federal Council on 21 November 2007.

Signing of the Framework Agreement between Mrs. Elzbieta Bieńkowska, Minister of Regional Development and  Mrs. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation and Mrs. Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor of the Swiss Confederation, Bern 2007

Objectives

The Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme pursues two objectives:

• To contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities between the Republic of Poland and the more advanced countries of the enlarged EU;
• To contribute within the Republic of Poland to the reduction of economic and social disparities between the dynamic urban centres and the structurally weak peripheral regions.

Applicants

All public and private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may apply for assistance. 

Geographical Focus

At least 40 proc. of the Contribution will be spent in the four south-eastern provinces: lubelskie, małopolskie, podkarpackie, and świętokrzyskie.

Duration

The Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme is available for Commitment period of five years and a disbursement period of ten years starting from the approval of the funds by the Swiss Parliament.

Thematic focus:

• Security, Stability and Support for Reforms
            o Regional development initiatives in peripheral or disadvantaged regions
            o Measures for secureting borders
• Environment and Infrastructure
            o Restoriation and modernization of basic enviroment infrastructure and improvement of the environment condition
            o Biodiversity and nature protection and Cross-border environmental initiatives
• Private Sector
            o Improving the business environment and the access to financing for SMEs
            o Development of the private sector and promotion of exports of SMEs
• Human and Social Development
            o Health
            o Research and Development
  

The contribution to Poland amounts to CHF 489 million.

Rules on the grant rate :

Grant rate may not exceed:

• 60 proc. of the total eligible costs of the project/programme;
• 85 proc. of the total eligible costs in the case of projects/programme receiving additional financing in the form of budget allocations from national, regional or local authorities;
• 90 proc. of the total eligible costs in the case of projects implemented by non-governmental organizations
• 100 proc. of the total eligible costs for institution-building and technical assistance Projects,
  

Partnership

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The Swiss – Polish Cooperation Programme enhances partnerships of Polish and Swiss entities. Such a cooperation can consist of exchange of experiences, know – how, technology, best practices, etc. in all focus areas of the Programme.

Although, the establishment of partnerships within projects financed under the Swiss Contribution is not mandatory, all potential beneficiaries of the programme are encouraged to take benefit of the Swiss experiences. An information about involvement of the Swiss partner in the project should be included in the Project Outline and the Final Project Proposal.

Additionally, the self – governments and social partners may apply for support to establish and strengthen partnerships with Swiss institutions, within the framework of the NGO Block Grant (Objective 2), for which the call for project proposals will be launched in the second semester of this year.

When can projects be submitted?

It is planned to have calls for proposals for each area of intervention. There are two main types of calls for proposals – open and restricted.

In general, application process is based on two – level procedure: preparation of the Project outline and elaboration of the Final Project Proposal. The above types of projects must be at first elaborated in the form of the Project Outline (at first in Polish version and next in English version). Positive decision on the Project outline results in the request for elaboration of the Final Project Proposal (only in English version) by an applicant. Both of the Project outline and the Final Project Proposal is assessed by Polish and Swiss institutions. The final decision on the co-financing is made by Swiss side.