On Tuesday, 12 August 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Management Regulations for the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme for the 2019–2029 period. These regulations provide a horizontal framework to ensure the effective implementation and sound financial management of approximately EUR 42.4 million (CHF 40.4 million) of the Swiss contribution, as well as its monitoring.
The regulations establish clear and uniform conditions for all institutions involved in managing the Swiss contribution, project implementers, and their national partners receiving Swiss financial support under four programmes:
- Advancement of paediatric cancer care in Latvia – improving the diagnosis of oncological diseases and the personalised treatment approach at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital by introducing a long-term follow-up system for children who have recovered from cancer, with the potential to extend it in the future to adult oncology and rare disease patients. Total programme funding: EUR 9.26 million, including a Swiss grant of EUR 7.87 million.
- Remediation of historical pollution– ensuring the remediation of a nationally prioritised oil-contaminated site in Aizkraukle at the former reinforced concrete production facility, thereby preventing further pollution from entering groundwater and the River Daugava. Total programme funding: EUR 15.07 million, including a Swiss grant of EUR 12.81 million.
- Applied Research – strengthening Latvian–Swiss cooperation in innovative materials, information and communication technologies, and smart energy, as well as promoting knowledge transfer from science to universities, industry, and society. Total programme funding: EUR 12.35 million, including a Swiss grant of EUR 10.50 million.
- Work-Based Learning – addressing the most pressing challenges in Latvia’s vocational education system, including the shortage of qualified specialists in the labour market, the ageing teaching workforce, and the need to strengthen cooperation with industry sectors. Total programme funding: EUR 12.35 million, including a Swiss grant of EUR 10.50 million.
This is the second period of the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme. As previously reported, agreements for all four programmes have been signed, preparatory work has begun, and implementation is proceeding in line with the agreements and the principles set out in the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme Management Law for the 2019–2029 period. With the approval of the management regulations, all the necessary prerequisites are now in place for the full implementation of the programmes by December 2029, contributing to significant improvements in healthcare, environmental protection, science, and education.