The Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme

Logo: Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme

On 19 June 2023, the Swiss Government's Trade Representative, Ambassador Dominique Paravicini, and the Minister of Finance, Arvils Ašeradens, officially signed the Framework Agreement for the second period of the Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme, which opens the door for Swiss support to flow into the Latvian economy in focused areas, thus further strengthening the successful bilateral cooperation of the first period of the Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme.

Until December 2029, Latvia will receive 42.4 million euros in Swiss funding, during which four programs will be supported:

  • Applied research,

  • Work-based learning and education,

  • Developments in child cancer care in Latvia,

  • Remediation of historically contaminated sites

Applied research will develop research capacities and foster cooperation between Latvia and Switzerland in the fields of innovative materials, information and communication technologies (ICT) and smart energy.

In vocational education and work-based learning, a model for work-based learning (including digital learning tools) will be developed and a model for examining school students (piloted in 2-3 sectors) and new vocational teachers will be trained.

The development of childhood cancer care in Latvia will improve the approach to diagnosis and personalised treatment by establishing a surveillance system for long-term support for children with cancer, which can then be developed for adult oncology and rare disease patients.

Remediation of historically contaminated sites will ensure remediation of national significance at the site of the former reinforced concrete plant in Aizkraukle, preventing further emissions of contamination into groundwater and the Daugava River.