From 4 to 6 November 2026, a Technical Mission of representatives of the Swiss Confederation was held in Zagreb within the framework of the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme. The aim of the mission was to review the progress achieved to date in the implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution in the Republic of Croatia, assess key challenges and identify priorities for the continued implementation of the programmes.
As part of the Technical Mission, a meeting between representatives of the National Coordination Unit and the Swiss delegation was held on 4 November at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds. The meeting also marked the first official visit to Croatia by the newly appointed representatives of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Martina Durrer, Head of the EU Member States Division, and Evelin Liechti, Deputy Head of the Division. The Swiss delegation also included Reto Weyermann from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Roland Python, Head of the Swiss Contribution Office in Croatia, Julien Robert, incoming Head of the Office, and Stela Fišer Marković, National Programme Officer.
The Croatian side was represented by officials of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds in its capacity as the National Coordination Unit, led by Iva Novak, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and Coordination of EU Funds, and Natalija Laštro, Head of Sector, together with other members of the National Coordination Unit.
During the meeting, an overview was presented of the implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution in the Republic of Croatia, with a total value of CHF 45.7 million, covering four programmes: the Research Programme, the Civil Society Programme, the Water Supply and Wastewater Management Programme, and the Palliative Care Programme. It was highlighted that implementation had commenced under all four programmes and that significant progress had been made in contracting and carrying out activities. The participants reviewed the results achieved to date, the pace of financial implementation, potential risks and measures for their timely mitigation. The importance of continuous monitoring of implementation, efficient use of available funds and a focus on achieving long-term results was emphasised.
As the Technical Mission continued, thematic meetings were held with representatives of the Ministry of Health, Croatian Waters and other stakeholders involved in programme implementation. Field visits were also organised to the Zagreb – East Health Centre under the Palliative Care Programme, the Croatian Musical Youth Association under the Civil Society Programme, and the Oikon Institute of Applied Ecology under the Research Programme. These field visits provided the Swiss representatives with first-hand insight into activities being implemented with the support of the Second Swiss Contribution.
The Technical Mission reaffirmed the successful cooperation between Croatian and Swiss partners and the progress achieved to date in implementing the Second Swiss Contribution, as well as their shared commitment to achieving the planned objectives and long-term results of the programmes.