Programmes/projects in Bulgaria
Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme Factsheet
Като част от втория швейцарски принос за избрани държави-членки на ЕС, Швейцарско-българската програма за сътрудничество, която се изпълнява в периода 2022–2029 г., допринася за стратегическите реформи, предприети от България в различни сектори. Тя има за цел да подобри живота и благосъстоянието на българското население, като същевременно укрепва съществуващите и създава нови швейцарско-български партньорства между публични институции и частни организации на всички нива. Програмата за швейцарско-българско сътрудничество е насочена към области, в които са налице признати нужди на България, както и възможности за Швейцария да допринесе с своя опит.
The Second Swiss Contribution has a total value of CHF 1.302 billion and a duration of ten years until 3 December 2029. On 30 June 2022, Switzerland and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Brussels, specifying key parameters of the contribution, such as the amount, its distribution among the partner countries, thematic priorities and principles for cooperation and implementation.
Key Areas of Support
- Promoting economic growth and social dialogue, reducing (youth) unemployment
- Managing migration and supporting integration. Increasing public safety and security
- Protecting the environment and the climate
- Strengthening of health and social systems
- Engaging citizens in a transparent and inclusive public debate
Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme
The Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme (SBCP) is based on the bilateral Framework Agreement between Switzerland and Bulgaria, which entered into force on 3 December 2022. It initially provided CHF 92.5 million to support 11 programmes across five thematic areas, to be implemented by December 2029. The SBCP was subsequently expanded through the Migration Framework Agreement, signed in October 2025 and ratified by the Bulgarian Parliament in March 2026. The agreement adds a 12th programme and CHF 21.35 million in additional Swiss funding to strengthen Bulgaria’s asylum procedures and structures and improve reception facilities for vulnerable migrants. This brings the total Swiss contribution to CHF 113.9 million. Switzerland generally finances up to 85% of each programme, complemented by 15% Bulgarian co-financing. Additional funding is provided for technical support and the mobilisation of Swiss expertise and partnerships. The SBCP is funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
Mainstreaming dual vocational education and training (DVET) in Bulgaria (DOMINO 2)
The overall objective of DOMINO 2 is economic growth and reduced youth unemployment through mainstreaming dual education principles in vocational education and training (VET) schools. The Programme focuses on continuing Swiss support for the modernisation and integration of Bulgaria’s dual VET system, with a strong emphasis on building sustainable capacity at every level, both in the public and private sector.
Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme (MAPS, SCIEX & PROMYS)
The Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme (SBRP) focuses on scientific cooperation and exchange between Bulgarian and Swiss researchers aiming to strengthen international research networks. The strategic focus of the programme is to leverage the successful bilateral research projects from the first Swiss Contribution through regional research networks as engines of economic growth. The three funding schemes of the SBRP provide support for researchers at every stage of their careers.
Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme
Duration: 01 August 2023 – 03 December 2029
Swiss Grant: 10 million CHF
Total Budget: 11.8 million CHF
Thematic Area: Research and Innovation
Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme is aligned with the priorities of the National Development Program Bulgaria 2030 and the National Strategy for the Development of Research in Bulgaria 2017-2030 that focuses economic development through modernisation and improvement of the effectiveness, results and productivity of the research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem.
Leading approach at National level are synergy and interdependence of the policies while expanding internationalisation of Bulgarian research community.
Stepping on the experience from the 1st contribution (2011-17), SBCP ensures an additional source of funding for research projects (beside European Structural and In-vestment Funds (ESIF), Horizon Europe, and state budget funds), and increase the mobility and competitive-ness of Bulgarian researchers and promote their integration within international networks.
Goal and Expected Outcomes
Overall Goal:
The objective is to reinforce scientific cooperation between Bulgaria and Switzerland by fostering sustainable multilateral research networks, particularly involving EU-13 countries. It aims to strengthen the performance of Bulgarian higher education and research institutions by developing the potential of promising young researchers, while also supporting early-career researchers connected to Switzerland in pursuing long-term academic careers in Bulgaria, including progression towards professorial positions.
Outcomes:
SBCP consists of three components:
1. Promotion of Young Scientists in Central and Eastern Europe (PROMYS) – will support 3 grantees with excellent proposals to start their own group and ideally gain a permanent position at the host Bulgarian institution, which will increase the competitiveness of the research group and contribute to better integration within international research networks.
2. Multilateral Academic Projects (MAPS) – MAPS promotes knowledge exchange and cross-border research collaboration among researchers from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Switzerland. The Programme will strengthen the capacities of at least 10 trilateral research partnerships through knowledge transfer, the sharing of expertise, and joint research activities.
3. Scientific Exchange Programme between Bulgaria and Switzerland (SCIEX) – SCIEX enables at least 20 Bulgarian PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to undertake research secondments at non-commercial research institutions in Switzerland. The Programme supports researcher-driven projects across all disciplines, strengthening participants' scientific skills, fostering knowledge transfer and research collaboration, and expanding scientific networks between Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Implementation Partners
Ø External European Programmes Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) serves as the Programme Operator
Ø SNSF & Science Directorate at Ministry of Education and Science serve as Component Operators
Swiss partners:
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) serves as the implementing and funding agency for the research component of the Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme. In this role, it oversees the implementation of the programme's research pillar, manages the scientific funding process in accordance with internationally recognized standards, ensures transparent and merit-based evaluation and grant administration, and promotes high-quality collaborative research and researcher mobility between Switzerland and Bulgaria.
Beneficiaries
Direct Beneficiaries:
Ø Component 1: PROMYS – Researchers that have nationality of one of the EU-27 countries + Switzerland or have study/work experience as a researcher at a higher education institution for at least three years in any EU-27 countries + Switzerland.
Ø Component 2: MAPS – Principal Investigators (PI) working within the following types of institutions:
- PI from Switzerland hosted at: Higher education research centres
- PI from Bulgaria: Public Higher Education Institutions and Scientific Organizations
- PI from EU 13 countries
Ø Component 3: SCIEX – young Bulgarian scientists, PhD students, and postdoc researchers that are working within:
- Bulgarian research institutions
- Swiss host institutions
Overview
Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme is aligned with the priorities of the National Development Program Bulgaria 2030 and the National Strategy for the Development of Research in Bulgaria 2017-2030 that focuses economic development through modernisation and improvement of the effectiveness, results and productivity of the research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem.
Leading approach at National level are synergy and interdependence of the policies while expanding internationalisation of Bulgarian research community.
Stepping on the experience from the 1st contribution (2011-17), SBCP ensures an additional source of funding for research projects (beside European Structural and In-vestment Funds (ESIF), Horizon Europe, and state budget funds), and increase the mobility and competitive-ness of Bulgarian researchers and promote their integration within international networks.
Goal and Expected Outcomes
Overall Goal:
The objective is to reinforce scientific cooperation between Bulgaria and Switzerland by fostering sustainable multilateral research networks, particularly involving EU-13 countries. It aims to strengthen the performance of Bulgarian higher education and research institutions by developing the potential of promising young researchers, while also supporting early-career researchers connected to Switzerland in pursuing long-term academic careers in Bulgaria, including progression towards professorial positions.
Outcomes:
SBCP consists of three components:
1. Promotion of Young Scientists in Central and Eastern Europe (PROMYS) – will support 3 grantees with excellent proposals to start their own group and ideally gain a permanent position at the host Bulgarian institution, which will increase the competitiveness of the research group and contribute to better integration within international research networks.
2. Multilateral Academic Projects (MAPS) – MAPS promotes knowledge exchange and cross-border research collaboration among researchers from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Switzerland. The Programme will strengthen the capacities of at least 10 trilateral research partnerships through knowledge transfer, the sharing of expertise, and joint research activities.
3. Scientific Exchange Programme between Bulgaria and Switzerland (SCIEX) – SCIEX enables at least 20 Bulgarian PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to undertake research secondments at non-commercial research institutions in Switzerland. The Programme supports researcher-driven projects across all disciplines, strengthening participants' scientific skills, fostering knowledge transfer and research collaboration, and expanding scientific networks between Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Implementation Partners
Ø External European Programmes Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) serves as the Programme Operator
Ø SNSF & Science Directorate at Ministry of Education and Science serve as Component Operators
Swiss partners:
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) serves as the implementing and funding agency for the research component of the Swiss-Bulgarian Research Programme. In this role, it oversees the implementation of the programme's research pillar, manages the scientific funding process in accordance with internationally recognized standards, ensures transparent and merit-based evaluation and grant administration, and promotes high-quality collaborative research and researcher mobility between Switzerland and Bulgaria.
Beneficiaries
Direct Beneficiaries:
Ø Component 1: PROMYS – Researchers that have nationality of one of the EU-27 countries + Switzerland or have study/work experience as a researcher at a higher education institution for at least three years in any EU-27 countries + Switzerland.
Ø Component 2: MAPS – Principal Investigators (PI) working within the following types of institutions:
- PI from Switzerland hosted at: Higher education research centres
- PI from Bulgaria: Public Higher Education Institutions and Scientific Organizations
- PI from EU 13 countries
Ø Component 3: SCIEX – young Bulgarian scientists, PhD students, and postdoc researchers that are working within:
- Bulgarian research institutions
- Swiss host institutions
Providing Support to Migration Management and Promoting Integration Measures
The Programme supports a holistic approach to the prevention of trafficking in human beings, support, care, protection and sustainable reintegration of its victims. It contributes to the integration of migrants with international and temporary protection in Bulgaria, and to the change of perception of Bulgaria as a transit country, while unlocking the potential of migrants to contribute to its development.
Improving Public Safety and Security
The Programme aims at introducing more holistic approaches primarily to the prevention and but also repression of certain crimes and anti-social behaviour in Bulgaria. By concentrating on three less developed regions with a high percentage of remote and vulnerable communities, including Roma, and by piloting community policing and improving approaches to preventing and dealing with juvenile delinquency, the Programme will serve as a model for roll-out at national level.
Fighting Corruption and Promoting Integrity
The objective of the Fighting Corruption and Promoting Integrity Programme is to strengthen the legal and institutional anti-corruption and public integrity framework. It supports the implementation of selected reforms in line with strategic objectives of Bulgaria and based on international good practices. In addition, through the introduction of transparency mechanisms it aims at increasing trust in public institutions.
Improved Air Quality Through a Modernized and Recognized National Air Quality Measurement System and Scientific Partnership (ModAIRn)
The overall objective of ModAIRn is to assists Bulgaria in upgrading the National Air Quality Monitoring System by contributing to reliable data and assessments for better air quality policies. ModAIRn will improve policy making and implementation towards cleaner air and support stakeholders in adapting their behaviour. The Programme will provide automated air quality monitoring stations and devices, development of air quality data hub, and support scientific approaches.
Monitoring, Control and Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides and Prevention Measures
The Programme is a continuation of a project successfully accomplished under the Enlargement Contribution. Its overall objective is to significantly and sustainably reduce the risks for human health and environmental pollution from obsolete pesticides and other expired plant protection products. The measure will intervene in warehouses across the country, ensuring proper disposal of the waste, and will support the capacity building at national and local levels for waste management.
Visitor Infrastructure and Sustainable Use of a National Park (ProPark)
The Programme aims to sustainably manage Rila National Park and to strengthen the biodiversity protection in Bulgaria. This objective will be achieved by developing and piloting concepts for resource-efficient management and sustainable use for touristic buildings in the park, implementation of measures aiming for environment protection and sustainable tourism, enhancement of infrastructure such as the Visitor Centre Panichishte or selected touristic huts; it will also valorise Swiss experience and good practices.
Health Promotion and Prevention
The Programme aims at preventing non-communicable diseases, which are a major cause of premature mortality in Bulgaria. It will pilot a model for the promotion of healthy lifestyle and well-being with children and adolescents in schools in selected municipalities. In addition, the Programme foresees interventions to sensitize parents, teachers and doctors to enable healthy environment.
Health and Education for All (ZOV II)
The Health and Education for All Programme (ZOV II) builds on the achievements of ZOV I programme supported by the first Swiss Contribution. The Programme aims at the social inclusion of vulnerable communities, notably of Roma origin, in view of their active participation in the socio-economic, cultural and political life. The Programme will contribute to the empowerment of Roma in five Bulgarian municipalities through a participatory approach and support the capacity of the educational mediators through training and other tailored measures.
Duration: 11 February 2025 – 30 June 2029
Swiss Grant: CHF 8,000,000
Total Budget: CHF 9,411,765.00
Thematic Area: Minorities and socially disadvantaged groups
Overview
Roma in Bulgaria constitute between 4.4% and 10% of the Bulgarian population and continue to suffer from social exclusion and discrimination, with stronger impact in remote locations. The ZOV II Programme is designed to tackle the challenges causing economic and social isolation of Roma in Bulgaria and thus the Swiss support contributes to the reduction of economic and social disparities in Bulgaria.
The ZOV II programme is aligned with the priorities set forth in Bulgaria's National Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation 2021-2030, as well as the Strategic Framework for Education Development 2021-2030. The Strategy corresponds with the EU legislation in this field, however the local implementation remains weak.
Goal and Expected Outcomes
Overall Goal:
The Health and Education for All Programme (ZOV II) builds on the achievements of ZOV I programme supported by the first Swiss Contribution to Bulgaria. The Programme aims at the social inclusion of vulnerable communities, notably of Roma origin, in view of their active participation in the socio-economic, cultural and political life.
Outcomes:
The overarching goal of the Programme is to contribute to the social and educational inclusion of vulnerable communities by applying integrated approach in provision of services to Roma communities and through strengthening the role of the educational mediators in view of promoting sustainable socio-economic integration.
The programme has 2 specific objectives: Roma families and children receive integrated services improving their quality of life and vulnerable and excluded groups have improved educational achievements and better access to the educational system.
Outcomes of Component 1: Provision of integrated services through Service Access Hubs in 5 + 1 municipalities: Six Service Access Hubs established; Case Management Systems for serving the specific needs of individuals and families implemented; Community Outreach Campaigns conducted; Quality control for sustainable results implemented.
Outcomes of Component 2: Institutionalisation of the role of the Educational mediator: Training programmes designed and vocational education and training for educational mediators implemented; Educational mediators integrated into the education system and collaboration also with Roma families; Methodological centre established providing ongoing support and guidance; Capacity Building activities applying the vouchers approach carried out.
Implementation Partners
Programme Operator: Ministry of Education and Science
Component Operators: Component 1: Ruzhintsi, Chuprene, Kaynardzha, Antonovo and Nikola Kozlevo and Plovdiv Municipalities; Component 2: Centre for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities (COIDUEM)
Swiss partners:
No Swiss institution is formally assigned as a partner. The Bulgarian side will search for a suitable Swiss expertise regarding provision of services to vulnerable communities during the implementation phase.
Beneficiaries
Direct Beneficiaries:
Ø Ministry of Education and Science
Ø Council of Ministers – officials responsible for the implementation of the National Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation 2021 - 2030
Ø Centre for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities
Ø Participating municipalities (see above)
Ø Citizens living in the selected municipalities and benefitting from the services
Indirect Beneficiaries:
The Bulgarian public, vulnerable groups, private sector actors, civil society and international partners.
Swiss-Bulgarian Civic Engagement and Transparency Facility (CETF)
Within the Programme, Switzerland supports civic participation and engagement in Bulgaria through three components: capacity building, a grants fund and three lighthouse projects in the area of biodiversity, civic participation and education. The CETF promotes social inclusion as a transversal topic and will encourage transfer of good practices by fostering Swiss-Bulgarian partnerships.
Our Programmes