Employment in focus – Swiss Contribution Project Agreement signed23 March 2012
Switzerland supports a regional development programme in Kazincbarcika with nearly 1.2 billion forints (some 4.9 million Swiss francs) within the Swiss Contribution. Signed in a ceremony at the Swiss Embassy’s residence, the programme will help generate medium and long-term employment in the peripheral and disadvantaged region of Northern Hungary.
The programme “Employment generating development of Kazincbarcika and its catchment area” is designed to stimulate employment by relying on local resources and values in the region of Northern Hungary.
The projects of the programme aim to increase employment relying on the resources of Kazincbarcika, the available motivated workforce and the natural and cultural environment. The planned interventions will capitalise on local resources to establish the conditions of making products and services which will be competitive in the global economy, making sure that the results of the programme will have a positive impact on employment in the long run as well. The projects may contribute to a better use of resources in the region and may also improve its capital attracting capacity as a way to reduce its underdeveloped character.
The programme will involve the implementation of a number of other developments, including the establishment of an exhibition, conference and talent nurturing centre in Radvánszky Castle; the establishment of Rudapithecus Park and a thematic route in Rudabánya; establishing and equipping the Damasa Study Trail in Bánhorváti; the organisation of cultural activities starting from the village museum, which will be renovated, and the implementation of communication actions to develop the image of “a new, modern Kazincbarcika and its region”.
The general objective of the Swiss Contribution is to reduce economic and social disparities in the enlarged European Union. To this end, Switzerland supports Hungary with a total of 130.7 million Swiss francs (around 25.5 billion forints) for five years until 2012.
During the implementation of the programme, the Swiss party has made positive support decisions in the amount of about 79.9 million Swiss francs since 2009.
For further information please visit the official website of the Budapest Office of the Swiss Contribution Programme at www.swiss-contribution.admin.ch/hungary. The internet address of the National Co-ordination Unit of the programme, of the Managing Authority for International Co-operation Programmes of the National Development Agency is http://www.nfu.hu/svajci_hozzajarulas.
Source: National Development Agency