Switzerland has been supporting Serbia’s transition through bilateral cooperation since 1991, in a total amount of over 300 million CHF (200 million EUR), with an annual contribution of 15 million CHF (10 million EUR).

Switzerland’s cooperation with Serbia follows the lines of a Cooperation Strategy Serbia 2010 - 2013 formulated with Switzerland’s main partners in Serbia. Its overall goal is to support Serbia’s efforts towards European integration, by contributing to (1) improving social inclusion and reducing poverty, and (2) increasing the competitiveness of its economy. It is structured around four domains: Economic Development, Rule of Law and Democracy, Education, and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Switzerland is also supporting regional programmes, and funding small projects. Given the importance of migration in the Western Balkans, Switzerland maintains migration partnership relations in the region, with implementation of operational programmes.

The cooperation is implemented by two federal agencies: the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) within the Federal Department for Economic Affairs.

The Swiss Cooperation Office Serbia, based in Belgrade, is monitoring all activities of the programme in the country.