Switzerland launches new cooperation programme for Kosovo focusing on democracy and peace, the economy, and equitable development
Bern, 27.04.2026 — In Pristina on 27 April 2026, the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, presented Switzerland's new cooperation programme for Kosovo. The CHF 64.5 million programme will run from 2026 to 2029 and will focus on democratic governance, economic development and equitable human development. It will be implemented by the SDC and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the FDFA, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Kosovo is one of the few priority countries in which Switzerland uses all three core instruments of development cooperation, economic cooperation and human security, supplemented by a migration partnership. Accordingly, the head of the SDC, Patricia Danzi, attended the launch accompanied by Ambassador Tim Enderlin, head of the PHRD, and Philipp Orga, head of operations at SECO.
Cooperation between Switzerland and Kosovo dates back to 1998. While Switzerland's involvement was initially based on humanitarian aid, its support is now focused on three key areas: democratic governance, sustainable economic development, and climate change, water and health.
The new cooperation programme builds on the programme for the period 2022–25, which brought improved services in the area of local governance to over 740,000 Kosovans.
One of the hallmarks of this cooperation is Kosovo's autonomy, which Switzerland supports in a targeted manner. For example, the Kosovan government has adopted the system of performance-based municipal financing into its own administration and co-finances it with its own funds. This approach is based on principles that also characterise Swiss communal policy.
“Switzerland's international cooperation with Kosovo shows that sustainable change is possible when local institutions are strengthened and the population has a say. With the new programme, we are building on this development and continuing to invest in the stability, security and sustainable development of a country with which we have mutual interests,” said Ms Danzi at the launch of the 2026–29 Kosovo cooperation programme.
Switzerland is committed to strengthening local institutions and promoting sustainable peace. The aim is to address tensions and create a viable framework for cooperation. The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains of crucial importance for the stability and prosperity of the entire Western Balkans and is therefore also in Switzerland's interests. The EU-moderated normalisation efforts are being supported by Switzerland through its contributions to trust-building and a dialogue process.
Swiss cooperation with the Western Balkans aims to promote peace, stability and prosperity and to support the countries on their path to European integration. Switzerland and Kosovo have maintained diplomatic relations since 2008. Swiss support is also based on close political and cultural ties involving the Kosovan diaspora in Switzerland (around 160,000 people).
A migration partnership between Switzerland and Kosovo has also been in place since 2010. This includes regular dialogue on migration and cooperation measures implemented by the State Secretariat for Migration to strengthen migration management.