Back On Monday, June 19, Delegate of the Swiss Government for Trade Agreements of the Swiss Confederation Ambassador Dominique Paravicini and Minister for Finance of the Republic of Latvia Arvils Ašeradens formally signed the Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme`s Framework Agreement for the Second Swiss Contribution, giving the opportunity for Swiss financial support to flow into the economy of Latvia in specific focus areas. This continues the long standing and successful bilateral cooperation established in the First Swiss Contribution with sustainable and visible results.
Latvia will receive 42.4 million euros (40.4 million Swiss francs) of Swiss contribution by December 2029. During this time four programmes will be supported – Research and innovation, Vocational and professional education and training, Advancement of paediatric cancer care, as well as Remediation of historical pollution.
The research capacity and partnerships in the advanced materials, information and communication technologies (ICT) and smart energy fields will be promoted in Applied research programme. A work-based learning approach (including digital learning tools) and qualification examination model (piloted in 2-3 sectors) will be created and developed, as well as new vocational education teachers will be trained and prepared within the Vocational education and training programme.
For the Development of paediatric cancer care in Latvia, the approach to disease diagnosis and personalized treatment will be improved by creating a monitoring system in long-term support for children, who have recovered from oncological diseases, and which can later be developed for adult oncological and rare disease patients. In the Remediation of historical pollution, the remediation of nationally prioritized oil-contaminated site in Aizkraukle will be ensured at the site of the former factory of reinforced concrete, preventing further pollution emission into groundwater and the Daugava River.
