The Swiss Contribution Programmes in Hungary Concluded a Successful Year
The National Coordination Unit organizes the Annual Meeting each year with the participation of the Swiss Confederation. During this meeting, the Annual Report is reviewed, discussed, and formally approved. This year’s meeting was held on 9 June 2026, during which the Swiss side reviewed the progress of the programmes and approved the report summarizing the results achieved in 2025.
At the meeting, participants reviewed the achievements of the Swiss Contribution to date and discussed the current status of programme implementation. In addition to strengthening the Hungarian–Swiss partnership, the Fund supports developments across a wide range of areas, including disadvantaged regions, economic growth, innovation, healthcare, and environmental protection.
More than HUF 26 billion from the grants were committed throw open-calls.
The year 2025 also proved highly successful from the perspective of the grant programmes, with 13 calls for proposals successfully concluded.
Under the Geothermal energy resources for district heating Programme, a new funding opportunity was launched in the second half of the year through the allocation of remaining available resources. More than HUF 1 billion was made available, enabling six additional applications to receive funding alongside the ten components already supported.
In the Research Programme, it became apparent by the end of 2025 that nearly HUF 173 million in unallocated funds remained available. The selection process for the allocation of these resources is expected to lunch shortly.
The scale of funding decisions is reflected in the fact that positive funding decisions amounting to more than HUF 26.5 billion were approved during 2025. As a result, commitments have now been made for more than 90% of the total funding envelope. The National Coordination Unit disbursed HUF 14.2 billion to beneficiaries, of which HUF 10.6 billion was provided in the form of advance payments to implementers. The final deadline for programme implementation is December 2029.
Project Visits to Showcase Ongoing Developments
The Annual Meeting provided an opportunity not only to review strategic and financial matters, but also to gain first-hand insight into the projects being implemented. The professional programme, held between 9 and 11 June, was attended by a five-member Swiss delegation representing the Swiss federal authorities responsible for the Swiss Contribution, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Hungary, and staff members of the Swiss Contribution Office.
On 10 June, participants visited the University of Debrecen, where they were introduced to the results of the development of a mobile support team established under the Hospice and Palliative Care Programme. The project received HUF 200 million in funding. The delegation subsequently visited a project implemented in Debrecen by the Hungarian Association of Public Benefit Organisations Assisting the Unemployed, which is being carried out with HUF 36 million in support under the Minorities Programme.
The project visits continued on 11 June in Tiszabura and Tiszabő. The delegation reviewed developments implemented under the Water and Wastewater Management Programme, which aims to modernise water utility facilities and improve municipal water infrastructure. The project in Tiszabura received nearly HUF 400 million in funding, while the development in Tiszabő was awarded HUF 547 million in support.
Further details about last year’s Annual Meeting are available on the Swiss Fund’s website. A video summary of the event can also be viewed on the Fund’s Facebook page, offering a look back at the key moments and highlights of the meeting.