Institutional Set-up
Two agencies are responsible for formulation and implementation of the Swiss Development Cooperation Policy
The Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency is part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs supporting the management programmes, economic programmes and programmes for environmental protection as well as coordination of the development policy of Switzerland(www.deza.admin.ch);
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is competent centre for all main issues related to economic policy. In addition to the home policy and foreign trade policy, it is involved in efforts to reduce poverty in the form of economic development assistance (www.seco-admin.ch).
The two agencies manage 75% and 13% of the Swiss bilateral official development assistance respectively.
Switzerland in the Republic of Macedonia
SECO mandate
The following is also covered by the Swiss support to Macedonia:
Swiss Cultural Programme in Macedonia - PRO HELVETIA
The Swiss Cultural Programme in Macedonia/PRO HELVETIA Skopje supports projects of cultural organisations and associations as well as of creative workers in the field of modern culture – music, theatre, dancing, literature and visual art. It is focused on supporting Macedonian cultural programme, establishing and development of independent organisations, enrichment of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of culture in Macedonia and the region. The support is provided by medium-term capacity building projects or by medium-term contributions. In addition, the programme’s gallery exhibits artists and exhibitions from Switzerland or other local cultural works of cultural interest, which cannot be exhibited in commercial galleries.
Regional Peace Building Office
Political Division IV within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland supports programmes in the field of human rights and peace promotion through contribution to bilateral and multilateral initiatives and through the Swiss Expert Pool. The programmes are aimed at peace promotion and reconciliation as well as democratic system establishment by promoting free public media and political participation.
For more information on completed and underway projects, visit the following link: www.sep.gov.mk/cdad
Additional links:
http://www.deza.ch/countrydoc.php?userhash=34513438&l=e&navID=132
http://www.sippo.ch/cgi/sippo/programms.asp?mode=1
http://www.pro-helvetia.org.mk/projects-mkd.html
http://www.eda.admin.ch/sub_expool/e/home.html
SEA contact persons:
Jovan Despotovski
jovan.despotovski@sep.gov.mk
Phone: (02) 32 00 138
Sofce Zafirovska
e-mail: sofce.zafirovska@sep.gov.mk
phone: (02) 3200 243