Financial aid from Switzerland to Latvia exceeds 40 million euros
### Swiss-Latvia Cooperation Programs Advance Key Sectors
Swiss-Latvia cooperation programs continue to drive development, knowledge exchange, and innovation in several essential sectors, with Swiss funding mechanisms like the Swiss Contribution (Switzerland’s financial support to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union) playing a significant role.
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### Pediatric Cancer Care Collaboration
- **Objective:** The primary goal of this collaboration is to enhance pediatric oncology diagnostics, treatment, and care infrastructure in Latvia. - **Key Activities:** - Training programs and exchange of medical personnel between Swiss and Latvian pediatric oncology centres. - Implementation of advanced treatment protocols aligned with Swiss standards and practices. - Procurement and introduction of modern medical equipment to Latvian hospitals specializing in pediatric cancer. - Development of multidisciplinary care models that include psychological support, rehabilitation, and social services. - **Expected Outcomes:** - Improved survival rates and quality of life for children with cancer in Latvia. - Strengthened Latvian healthcare capacities through ongoing professional development. - Establishment of a pediatric cancer registry and data-sharing frameworks for research. - **Timeline:** The Children's Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) project, part of the pediatric cancer care program, was launched in October 2024.
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### Remediation of Historically Contaminated Sites
- **Context:** Latvia has several industrial and military sites contaminated with heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other hazardous substances due to historical activities. - **Program Scope:** - Environmental assessment and mapping of contaminated sites with Swiss technical support. - Development of remediation strategies employing best practices from Swiss environmental engineering. - Pilot projects demonstrating sustainable cleanup techniques such as bioremediation, soil washing, and phytoremediation. - Capacity building for Latvian institutions responsible for environmental protection and remediation. - **Partnerships:** - Collaboration between Latvian environmental agencies, research institutes, and Swiss environmental technology experts. - **Timeline:** Project activities for the remediation of the former reinforced concrete factory in Aizkraukle, Latvia, were launched in the current year. - **Impact:** - Improved environmental quality and public health safety in affected regions. - Transfer of Swiss expertise in monitoring, risk assessment, and remediation technologies. - Strengthened institutional frameworks for environmental management in Latvia.
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### Applied Research Areas Collaboration
- **Focus Areas:** Targeted applied research fields where Latvia and Switzerland have mutual interests and complementary strengths, such as: - Biomedical sciences including oncology and public health. - Environmental sciences and sustainable technologies. - Information and communication technologies (ICT) and innovation. - **Mechanisms:** - Joint research projects funded by Swiss-Latvian grants. - Academic and research institution partnerships to share knowledge, infrastructure, and training. - Workshops, conferences, and exchange programs to foster cross-disciplinary cooperation. - **Outcomes:** - Creation of innovative solutions addressing health, environmental, and technological challenges faced by Latvia. - Enhancement of research capacity and international visibility for Latvian institutions. - Development of long-term networks linking Swiss and Latvian scientists and technologists. - **Programmes:** The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) programme for applied research areas, with a total funding of ~12.3 million euros, was approved in November 2024, and its implementation began in early 2025. The Swiss-Latvian programme for remediation of historically contaminated sites, with a total funding of ~15.2 million euros, was also approved in November 2024.
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### Vocational Education Collaboration
- **Objective:** The goal of the vocational education programme is to significantly strengthen the connection of vocational education with the labor market by November 2029. - **Program Scope:** - Introduction of work-based learning initiatives, internships, and apprenticeships to bridge the gap between education and employment. - Development of industry-specific curricula and partnerships with businesses to ensure relevance and practicality. - Investment in modern vocational education facilities and equipment to support hands-on learning. - **Impact:** - Improved employability and career prospects for vocational education graduates. - Enhanced collaboration between educational institutions and businesses, fostering a more skilled and productive workforce.
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### Summary
Swiss-Latvia cooperation programs span critical domains addressing societal challenges through knowledge transfer, capacity building, and applied innovation. In pediatric cancer care, this translates into improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Environmental remediation efforts focus on transforming Latvia’s contaminated legacy sites into safer environments, leveraging Swiss technical expertise. Applied research collaboration fosters sustained innovation and knowledge exchange, benefiting both countries economically and socially. The vocational education programme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring a skilled and productive workforce.
If you want, I can provide specific program names, timelines, or official documents related to these initiatives. Would you like that?
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**References:**
- Swiss Contribution to Latvia: https://www.swiss-contribution.admin.ch/latvia - Latvian Ministry of Health: Pediatric oncology projects - Environmental Protection Agency of Latvia: Site remediation programs - Swiss-Latvian Research Collaboration announcements and grant calls - Latvian Ministry of Finance: Vocational education programme "Stronger work-based learning for the improvement of vocational education and training in Latvia" - State Environmental Service of Latvia: Remediation project implementation in cooperation with the Aizkraukle municipality - Ministry of Climate and Energy: Programme for the remediation of historically contaminated sites - Ministry of Education and Science (MES): MES programme for applied research areas - The Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Latvia, Martin Michelet, emphasized the progress and shared commitment to promoting improvements in the selected areas.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Swiss-Latvia cooperation programs are dedicated to enhancing vocational education, with a goal to strengthen the connection of vocational education with the labor market by November 2029 through work-based learning initiatives, modern facilities, and industry-specific curricula.
- To foster sustainable energy practices and innovation in Latvia, collaboration under Swiss-Latvia programs focuses on applied research areas, particularly in environmental sciences and sustainable technologies, paving the way for innovative solutions benefiting both countries.
