FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
between
THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
and
THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL
On
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND
SWISS CONTRIBUTION TO SELECTED MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN
UNION TO REDUCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES WITHIN THE
EUROPEAN UNION
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
LATVIA (hereinafter referred to as the "Latvia")
and
THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL (hereinafter referred to as
"Switzerland"),
hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Parties",
• NOTING the solidarity of Switzerland with the endeavours of
the European Union (EU) to reduce economic and social disparities
within the EU;
• COMMITTED to further reducing the economic and social
disparities within the EU and within Latvia;
• BUILDING upon the successful cooperation between the Parties
during Latvia's transition process leading to its accession to
the EU and in the framework of the Swiss contribution to the
enlarged EU;
• SHARING AND PROMOTING the fundamental values of democracy,
the rule of law and political pluralism;
• RESPECTING AND DEFENDING human rights, human dignity and
fundamental freedoms;
• REFERRING to the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals;
• HAVING regard to the friendly relations between the
Parties;
• DESIRING to further strengthen these relations and the
fruitful cooperation between the Parties;
• REFERRING to the "Memorandum of Understanding between
the European Union and Switzerland on a contribution by
Switzerland towards reducing economic and social disparities and
for cooperation in the area of migration in the European
Union" signed on 30.06.2022 for a total amount of CHF
1,302,000,000 (one billion three hundred and two million Swiss
francs) to selected EU Member States for cooperation in the areas
of cohesion and migration (hereinafter referred to as the
"second Swiss Contribution");
• NOTING the cooperation in the area of migration of up to CHF
200,000,000 (two hundred million Swiss francs) under the second
Swiss Contribution;
• IN VIEW of the cooperation in the area of cohesion of up to
CHF 1,102,000,000 (one billion one hundred and two million Swiss
francs) under the second Swiss Contribution.
hereby agree as follows:
Article 1 -
Definitions
For the purposes of this Framework Agreement:
"Contribution" means the maximum non-refundable
financial contribution granted by Switzerland to Latvia under
this Framework Agreement;
"Country-Specific Set-Up" (Annex) means the thematic
and geographic allocations of the Contribution and specific rules
agreed between Latvia and Switzerland as well as the attribution
of responsibilities and tasks to entities involved in the
implementation of the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme and in
Support Measures respectively;
"Memorandum of Understanding" means the Memorandum
of Understanding between the European Union and Switzerland on a
contribution by Switzerland towards reducing economic and social
disparities and for cooperation in the area of migration in the
European Union" signed on30.06.2022 for a total amount of
CHF 1,302,000,000 (one billion three hundred and two million
Swiss francs) to selected EU Member States for cooperation in the
areas of cohesion and migration;
"National Coordination Unit" means the national
public entity of Latvia designated to act on its behalf for the
implementation of the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme.
"Programme" means a coherent set of Programme
Components carried out in line with national priorities, policies
or strategies of the Partner State with the support of the
Contribution comprising a single comprehensive implementation and
budget framework with overarching goals. A Programme may be
accompanied by a policy dialogue;
"Project" means an indivisible series of activities,
carried out with the support of the Contribution, which is aimed
at achieving agreed objectives and outcomes and is not part of a
Programme;
"Regulations" means the Regulations on the
implementation of the second Swiss Contribution in the area of
cohesion issued by Switzerland and containing the general rules
and procedures on the implementation of the Latvian-Swiss
Cooperation Programme;
"Support Measure" is used as generic term and means
a specific Project, Programme or Technical Support within the
framework of the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme;
"Support Measure Agreement" means an agreement
between the Parties and, if need be, additional contracting
parties, on the implementation of a Support Measure;
"Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme" means the
bilateral programme for the implementation of this Framework
Agreement;
"Technical Support" means part of the Contribution
provided under the Cooperation Programme for the preparation of
Support Measures and for the efficient and effective
implementation of the Cooperation Programme.
Article 2 -
Legal Framework
1. This Framework Agreement, together with the following
documents, constitutes the legal framework of the implementation
of the second Swiss Contribution in the area of cohesion:
(a) the Regulations and subsequent amendments thereof;
(b) Support Measure Agreements, or other agreements between
the Parties, resulting from the Framework Agreement; and
(c) any operational procedures or guidelines adopted by
Switzerland after consultation with Latvia
2. In the event of conflicts/contradictions between the
provisions of these instruments, the aforementioned order of
precedence shall apply.
Article 3 -
Objectives and Principles
1. The overall objective of the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation
Programme is to contribute to the reduction of the economic and
social disparities within the EU and within Latvia, building upon
and further strengthening the bilateral relations between
Switzerland and the EU and its Member States.
2. The Parties shall select Support Measures that contribute
to the achievement of the overall objective and which, with the
exception of Technical Support, contribute to at least one of the
five objectives of the second Swiss Contribution, which are
to:
a) promoting economic growth and social dialogue, reducing
(youth) unemployment;
b) managing migration and supporting integration. Increasing
public safety and security;
c) protecting the environment and the climate;
d) strengthening of social systems;
e) civic engagement and transparency.
3. Support Measures, with the exception of Technical Support
and unless otherwise agreed upon by the Parties, shall be
assigned to at least one thematic area of cooperation, as set out
in the Regulations. The Parties shall achieve a thematic
concentration for the Contribution. Therefore, the Parties shall
mutually agree on a limited number of thematic areas to receive
support under the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, as set out
in the Country-Specific Set-Up.
4. The Parties shall encourage partnerships and the exchange
of expertise between actors from Latvia and Switzerland.
5. Support Measures shall respect social inclusion and ensure
environmental sustainability.
6. All actions under the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme
shall be implemented in line with the objectives, principles,
strategic directions, geographical and thematic focus as outlined
in the Country-Specific Set Up and the Regulations.
Article 4 -
Financial Framework
1. Switzerland agrees to grant a Contribution to Latvia of up
to CHF 40 400 000 (forty million four hundred thousand Swiss
francs) with reference to the agreed thematic areas and
geographic allocation and according to the indicative allocation
defined in the Country Specific Set-Up.
2. The Contribution in paragraph 1 does not include
expenditures of Switzerland for the management costs of the
"Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme" and for the
"Swiss Expertise and Partnership Fund Cohesion". The
latter shall be a fund administered by Switzerland, aimed at
making Swiss expertise available to selected EU Member States,
ensuring the quality and sustainability of Support Measures,
strengthening bilateral relations and fostering partnerships
between Latvia and Switzerland.
3. The period of eligibility of expenditures from Support
Measures, as defined in Chapter 6 of the Regulations, ends on 3
December 2029, inclusive. Funds not used until this date shall no
longer be available to Latvia.
4. Under the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, with the
exception of the amounts reserved for Swiss management costs and
the Swiss Expertise and Partnership Fund, the Contribution should
be provided in the form of non-refundable grants or concessional
financial facilities such as credit lines, guarantee schemes,
equity, debt participation, and loans.
5. The financing from the Contribution shall not exceed 60% of
the eligible expenditures from the Support Measure, except
for:
a) Projects or Programmes receiving additional financing in
the form of budget allocations from national, regional or local
authorities, in which case the financing from the Contribution
may not exceed 85% of the total eligible expenditures;
b) Projects or Programmes implemented by non-governmental
organisations, which may be financed to a degree higher than 60%
or fully by the Contribution;
c) Technical Support, which may be financed to a degree higher
than 60% or fully by the Contribution;
d) Support Measures in the form of credit lines, guarantee
schemes, equity and debt participation and loans to the private
sector, which may be financed to a degree higher than 60% or even
fully by the Contribution.
6. Latvia shall ensure compliance with applicable rules on
state aid and public procurement.
Article 5 -
Principles for Support Measures
1. Support Measures shall be implemented in accordance with
the legal Framework pursuant to Article 2.
2. Latvia is responsible for the identification of Support
Measures, which are
a. relevant and in line with national priorities;
b. effective in addressing the identified needs;
c. feasible and efficient to implement;
d. expected to have impact;
e. designed to create sustainable benefits.
3. Latvia shall avoid any duplication of and/or overlap with
any part of a Support Measure which is receiving support from any
other structural and/or cohesion funds, such as the European
Funds, the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism or the
Norwegian Financial Mechanism, as the case may be.
4. Each Support Measure shall be approved first by Latvia and
then by Switzerland.
5. Each Support Measure shall be subject to a Support Measure
Agreement.
6. The Parties attach high importance to the monitoring,
evaluation and auditing of the Support Measures and the
Contribution. Each Party shall share, without delay, any useful
information requested by the other party. The Parties shall
ensure effective coordination and monitoring of the Latvian-Swiss
Cooperation Programme.
7. Switzerland, or any third party appointed to act on its
behalf, shall have the right to visit, monitor, review, audit and
evaluate all activities and procedures related to the
implementation of the Support Measures as deemed appropriate by
Switzerland. Latvia shall provide any and all information,
assistance and documentation, which may be requested or useful,
to allow Switzerland to exercise such right.
8. In order to ensure effective implementation of the
Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, the Competent Authorities
referred to in Article 6 shall hold annual meetings. The purpose
of such meetings shall be to review the progress achieved in the
Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, agree on any necessary
measures to be taken, and provide a forum for discussion of
issues of bilateral interest.
Article 6 -
Competent Authorities
1. Latvia has authorised a national public entity to act on
its behalf as the National Coordination Unit (see
Country-Specific Set-Up). The National Coordination Unit shall
have overall responsibility for reaching the objectives of the
Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme as well as for its
implementation in accordance with this Framework Agreement.
2. Switzerland has authorised the Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs, acting through the Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation (SDC), and the Federal Department of Economic
Affairs, Education and Research, acting through the State
Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), to act on its behalf for
the implementation of the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme.
Support Measures are assigned to either the SDC or SECO in line
with their respective fields of competence.
Article 7 -
Liability
The responsibility of Switzerland with regard to the
Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme is limited to providing funds
in accordance with the relevant Support Measure Agreements. No
liability to any public or private Latvian entity involved in a
Support Measure or to any third parties is or will be assumed by
Switzerland.
Article 8 -
Common Concern
The Parties share a common concern to prevent and fight
against corruption, which jeopardises good governance and the
proper use of resources needed for development, and, in addition,
endangers fair and open competition in procurement procedures
based upon price and quality. The Parties therefore agree to
combine their efforts to fight corruption and, in particular,
agree that any offer, gift, payment, remuneration or benefit of
any kind whatsoever, made to whomsoever, directly or indirectly,
with a view to being awarded a mandate or contract under this
Framework Agreement, or during the performance hereof, will be
construed as an illegal act or corrupt practice. Any act of this
kind constitutes sufficient grounds for terminating this
Framework Agreement and the relevant Support Measure Agreement,
cancelling the procurement or resulting award, or taking any
other proportionate corrective measure laid down by applicable
law. The Parties shall promptly inform each other of any
well-founded suspicion of an illegal act or corrupt practice.
Article 9 -
Amendments
1. Any amendment to this Framework Agreement shall be made in
writing with the mutual agreement of the Parties.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 above, the Country-Specific
Set-Up may be amended by mutual agreement of the Competent
Authorities referred to in Article 6 through an exchange of
letters between them.
Article 10 -
Final Provisions
1. The Country-Specific Set-Up (Annex) shall form integral
part of this Framework Agreement.
2. This Framework Agreement shall enter into force, after its
signature, on the date of receipt of the last notification
confirming the completion by both Parties of their respective
approval procedures. It applies until both Parties have fulfilled
all their obligations. The Parties shall provisionally apply this
Framework Agreement and the Annex hereto commencing on the date
on which this Framework Agreement is signed by both Parties.
3. Any dispute which may result from the application of this
Framework Agreement shall be resolved by diplomatic means.
4. This Framework Agreement may be terminated at any time by
one of the Parties giving six months' prior written notice. Prior
to making such a decision, the Parties shall enter into
consultation regarding the reasons for the termination.
5. In the event of termination of this Framework Agreement,
its provisions shall continue to apply to the relevant Support
Measure Agreements concluded before the termination of this
Framework Agreement. The Parties shall decide by mutual agreement
on any other consequences of the termination.
Signed in Riga on 19 June 2023, in two original copies in the
English language.
For the Government of the
Republic of Latvia
Arvils Ašeradens
Minister of Finance of the Republic of Latvia
|
For the Swiss Federal
Council
Dominique Paravicini
Ambassador
Delegate of the Swiss Government for Trade Agreements
|
Annex
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC
SET-UP
FRAMEWORK
AGREEMENT
between
THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
and
THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL
On
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND
SWISS CONTRIBUTION TO SELECTED MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN
UNION TO REDUCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES WITHIN THE
EUROPEAN UNION
1. General provisions
1.1. This Country-Specific Set-Up is an integral part of the
Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of
Latvia (hereinafter referred to as "Latvia") and the
Swiss Federal Council (hereinafter referred to as
"Switzerland") on the implementation of the second
Swiss Contribution to selected Member States of the EU to reduce
economic and social disparities within the EU (hereinafter
referred to as the "Framework Agreement").
1.2. For the purposes of this Country-Specific Set-Up, the
definitions in the Framework Agreement shall apply.
1.3. This Country-Specific Set-Up lays down the thematic and
geographic allocations of the Contribution and the specific rules
agreed between Latvia and Switzerland, as well as the attribution
of responsibilities and tasks to entities involved in the
implementation of the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme and in
Support Measures respectively.
1.4. For specific rules and procedures not provided in the
Country Specific Set-Up, the provisions of Regulations shall
apply.
2. Roles and responsibilities for
the Latvian - Swiss Cooperation Programme
2.1. National Coordination Unit
The Partner State has authorized the Ministry of Finance of
the Republic of Latvia (MoF) to act on its behalf as National
Coordination Unit of the Latvian - Swiss Cooperation
Programme.
The National Coordination Unit is composed from EU Funds
Investments Management Department and EU Funds System Management
Department, which are directly subordinated to the Deputy State
Secretary on EU Funds Issues, who shall act as the Head of the
National Coordination Unit.
The role and responsibilities of the National Coordination
Unit are set out in the Regulations.
The Procurement monitoring bureau (PMB) is a direct
public administration body subordinate to MoF, the competency of
which is defined in the Public Procurement Law and other laws and
regulations. PMB is a nationally selected institution that will
ensure sample-based pre- verifications of the public procurement
documentation and the process of the procurement procedure of the
Support Measures, including Technical Support. PMB will ensure
pre- verifications prior the conclusion of a procurement contract
on the basis of risk analysis to prevent public procurement
irregularities.
PMB also will ensure methodology for ex-ante procurement
checks as well as consultations and quarterly meetings with the
Programme Operators to discuss actual procurement issues.
2.2. Paying Authority
The Paying Authority is the Treasury of the Republic of
Latvia.
The Treasury is a direct administration institution
subordinated to the MoF. The Treasury is managed by the
Treasurer, who acts as the Head of the Paying Authority and
reports to the Deputy State Secretary on Budget Issues of the
MoF.
2.3. Audit Authority
The Audit Authority is EU Funds Audit Department of the MoF.
It is functionally subordinated to the Minister of Finance of the
Republic of Latvia in accordance with the Regulations of the MoF.
The Director of EU Funds Audit Department, who is directly
subordinated and reporting to the Minister of Finance, shall act
as the Head of the Audit Authority.
The Audit Authority shall act in compliance with the
International Standards on Auditing, International Standard on
Assurance Engagements and Code of Ethics.
The roles and responsibilities of the Audit Authority are set
out in the Regulations.
The Audit Authority shall be functionally independent of the
National Coordination Unit and the Paying Authority.
3. Parameters of cooperation
3.1. Thematic allocation
Specific objective & thematic area
|
Indicative allocation of the
Contribution
in CHF
grant rate 85%
|
National co-financing in
CHF
co-financing rate 15%
|
Total funding in CHF
|
1. Promoting economic growth and social
dialogue, reducing (youth) unemployment |
(i) Vocational and professional
education and training |
10 000 000
|
1 764 706
|
11 764 706
|
(ii) Research and
innovation |
10 000 000
|
1 764 706
|
11 764 706
|
2. Protecting the environment and the
climate |
(ix) Waste management |
12 200 000
|
2 152 941
|
14 352 941
|
3. Strengthening of social systems |
(xi) Health and social
protection |
7 500 000
|
1 323 529
|
8 823 529
|
4. Technical support |
(xiv) Technical Assistance
Fund |
600 000
|
0
|
600 000
|
(xv) Support Measure Preparation
Fund |
100 000
|
0
|
100 000
|
Total allocation |
40 400 000
|
7 005 882
|
47 405 882
|
Any unused balances in the Support Measure Preparation Fund
and in Support Measure "Partnership in applied research for
Advanced Materials, Information and Communication Technology and
Smart Energy" will be reallocated to the Support Measure
"Remediation of historical pollution". Any unused
balances in the Support Measure "Stronger work-based
learning for improving vocational education and training in
Latvia" will be reallocated to the Support Measure
"Advancement of pediatric cancer care in Latvia".
Any other unused balances in the Support Measure of the
Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme may be transferred to any
other approved Support Measure provided the feasibility until the
end of the eligibility period, by mutual agreement (e.g.,
confirmed in the minutes of meetings or by correspondence)
between the Competent Authorities mentioned in Article 6 of the
Framework Agreement in the course of the implementation of the
Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. For the consequent
modification of the Support Measure, Article 4.12 Regulations
shall apply.
3.2. Pre-specified parameters per
thematic area
(i) Vocational and professional
education and training
Directly selected or pre-identified
Support Measures
Support Measure name |
Stronger work-based learning for improving vocational
education and training in Latvia |
Support Measure type |
Programme |
Objectives |
To improve the
vocational education and training (VET) system in Latvia with
emphasis on European Qualifications Framework (EQF) levels
2-5 by strengthening the application of the work-based
learning (WBL) approach. |
Strategic Focus |
The Programme is guided by the following priorities:
1. better involvement of employers in the implementation
of VET;
2. creation of relevant collaboration models with
involvement of relevant stakeholders;
3. systemic approaches ensuring high-quality skills and
competences that lead to quality jobs and careers for
students and adult learners (EQF levels 2 - 5) meeting the
needs of an innovative and sustainable economy;
4. activation of the Sector qualifications framework
(SQF) and a unified approach and permeability of modular
VET programmes;
5. contemporary, flexible permeable digital teaching and
learning materials;
6. establishment of sector examination centres in
collaboration with employers' representatives that assess
and recognize skills and award professional
qualifications;
7. high-quality and regular professional development of
teachers;
8. a new work-based VET teacher training system in
higher education institutions delivering teacher training
programmes.
The programme will have synergy and complementarity with
planned activities for support of VET system development
foreseen in the EU Structural Funds Operational programme
2021 - 2027 (OP) and other funds.
|
Swiss indicative Commitment |
10 000 000 |
CHF |
Project or Programme Operator |
Ministry of Education and Science (MoES).
MoES as Programme Operator intends to involve National
Centre of Education (Public administration institution
directly subordinated to the MoES) in selection process of
programme components under priority 8. Other functions of
PO will be implemented by MoES.
|
Intermediate Body |
Not applicable |
Swiss Support Measure Partner(s) |
Swiss public VET
institutions and schools, professional associations and
expert organizations, Federal and cantonal agencies
specializing in VET, including the Swiss State Secretariat
for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). |
Other specificities related to the Support Measure |
1 pre-defined
programme component for priorities 1-7 implemented by
National Centre of Education and an open call for higher
education institutions for priority 8 is planned. |
(ii) Research and innovation
Directly selected or pre-identified
Support Measures
Support Measure name |
Partnership in applied research for Advanced Materials,
Information and Communication Technology and Smart
Energy |
Support Measure type |
Programme |
Objectives |
To develop applied
research capacity and promote research collaborations between
Latvia and Switzerland in the field of advanced materials,
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and smart
energy. |
Strategic Focus |
The programme will support the achievement of national
targets in the priority areas set in the Guidelines for
Research, Technology Development and Innovation for
2021-2027 of Latvia (Guidelines), namely to develop
research excellence and foster international co-operation
and human capital development in Research and Innovations
(R&I).
The Programme will:
• Foster knowledge transfer from academy to industry and
society;
• Contribute to the strengthening of the human capital
in R&I, especially through rising quality of
research-based and innovation-oriented doctoral studies and
providing opportunities for skills upgrade of academic
staff (impact expected on individual and institutional
level);
• Support collaborative research projects that will
contribute to an increase of quality of international
research co-publications and will foster deeper and
well-established cooperation links with Swiss research
organizations.
|
Swiss indicative Commitment |
10 000 000 |
CHF |
Project or Programme Operator |
The Ministry of Education and Science (MoES).
The MoES will delegate the following Programme
Operator's tasks to the Latvian Research Council:
concluding programme component agreements and programme
components' monitoring and controlling.
|
Intermediate Body |
Not applicable |
Swiss Support Measure Partner(s) |
In the area of
Advanced Materials, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for
Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Concrete and Asphalt
Laboratory, is a pre-defined partner. |
Other specificities related to the Support Measure |
Thematically, the Programme will focus on the following
three smart specialization areas: Advanced Materials, ICT
and Smart Energy.
In the area of Advanced Materials, a single pre-defined
programme component will be implemented by Riga Technical
University (programme component operator) and Empa. Other
partners can be included in the consortium if
necessary.
In the thematic areas of ICT and Smart Energy, a single
pre-defined programme component will be implemented by
Institute of Solid-State Physics of University of Latvia
(programme component operator), in cooperation with
Institute of Electronics and Computer Science and Riga
Technical University. Other partners shall be included in
the consortium if necessary.
Swiss partners for the areas of ICT and Smart Energy
will be identified in bilateral negotiations.
Awareness raising campaigns in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for young people, and
particularly young women, are part of all three identified
areas.
|
(iv) Waste management
Directly selected or pre-identified
Support Measures
Support Measure name |
Remediation of historical pollution |
Support Measure type |
Programme |
Objectives |
To improve environmental quality of historically polluted
site(s) and reduce risks to human health.
Main outcomes:
• Restored and improved environmental quality of
polluted areas and prevented danger to human health in
polluted area and beyond;
• Achieved improvement of soil, ground, underground and
surface water quality of polluted areas.
|
Strategic Focus |
Remediation of historically polluted sites is a strategic
priority of the government of Latvia, as outlined in its
National Development Plan for 2021-2027.
Structural and cohesion funds already helped to
remediate polluted sites in Latvia, including through the
Swiss Enlargement Contribution with the Sarkandaugava
project.
For further activities, the oil-contaminated site of
Aizkraukle at the banks of the Daugava river has been
identified as the highest priority.
The prioritization of the Aizkraukle site is based on
Environmental Policy Guidelines for 2021-2027 and
extensive investigations of the independent and openly
procured consulting company Intergeo Baltic.
Important elements are:
• Danger to people and the environment since
contaminated material and soil slowly moves closer to the
Daugava. Since the Daugava has the most populated river
banks in Latvia (including Riga) and is one of the biggest
sources of drinking water, the pollution might affect up to
700'000 residents. In addition, the Daugava flows into
the Baltic Sea and the pollution threatens its water
quality and ecosystem;
• Thanks to the detailed investigation, the site shows a
high degree of readiness to start remediation.
Remediation methods, a detailed risk assessment and
phasing options will be identified based on the final
report of the investigation, mandated by the Aizkraukle
Municipality.
Applicable remediation method(s) should be piloted in
Aizkraukle to test its effectiveness.
|
Swiss indicative Commitment |
12 200 000 |
CHF |
Project or Programme Operator |
Ministry of Regional
Development and Environmental Protection |
Intermediate Body |
Not applicable |
Swiss Support Measure Partner(s) |
Based on the
previous experience of the Swiss Enlargement Contribution,
cooperation with Swiss experts will be sought. |
Other specificities related to the Support Measure |
The heavily contaminated site in Aizkraukle municipality,
located outside of major cities, has been pre-identified as
programme component location and State Environmental
Service or other relevant institution as programme
component operator.
Further sites could be identified with remaining funds,
if any.
|
(xi) Health and social
protection
Directly selected or pre-identified
Support Measures
Support Measure name |
Advancement of pediatric cancer care in Latvia |
Support Measure type |
Programme |
Objectives |
To improve the
diagnosis, treatment and life of children with cancer and
rare diseases, involving a patient-centered and
multi-disciplinary approach along of continuum of care. |
Strategic Focus |
The programme will be in line with the Latvian National
Development Plan for 2021-2027, the Public Health
Guidelines for 2021-2027, the Digital Transformation
Guidelines for 2021-2027, the National Plan for the
Improvement of Healthcare Services in the Field of Oncology
for 2022-2024 and aim:
• to improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment and
life of children with cancer and rare diseases;
• to ensure the continuity of health care by
strengthening governance and promoting the efficient use of
health care resources in the field of oncology.
Adopting a holistic approach, the programme may work
along multiple strategic axes, including capacity building
and patient-centered care, in order to train the clinical
workforce and strengthen patient-centered initiatives that
encompass the entire continuum of care required for
children with cancer and rare diseases.
As prerequisite for improved diagnostic and treatment
protocols, strengthen clinical and laboratory capacity via
efficient engagement in international clinical and research
networks.
In synergy with the Healthcare Advancement centre
infrastructure project, advance the personalised therapy
programmes and clinical pathways in paediatric oncology and
rare diseases via multidisciplinary collaboration between
experts and capacity building of pathology and molecular
laboratory services.
Development of a long-term follow-up system with the
establishment of a core "follow-up team" and
services, including the design of an innovative and
digitalized system.
Geographic focus - National level but with potential
regional and international collaborations.
|
Swiss indicative Commitment |
7 500 000 |
CHF |
Project or Programme Operator |
Ministry of
Health |
Intermediate Body |
Not applicable |
Swiss Support Measure Partner(s) |
Swiss expert
institutions in the fields of clinical and public health,
e.g. pediatric oncohematology and molecular tumor
diagnostics. |
Other specificities related to the Support Measure |
One pre-defined
programme component implemented by the Children's Clinical
University Hospital is planned. |
4. Partner State specific rules and
procedures
Latvia and Switzerland agree to the following specific
provisions in derogation / modification / complement /
specification of the regulations:
4.1 The documents and correspondence that the Partner
State must submit to Switzerland in accordance with the
Regulations, including Reimbursement Request, may be signed using
an electronic signature. Nevertheless, this prorogation does not
apply to Audit reports.
4.2 The following paragraphs replaces Art. 3.5
paragraph 1 and 2 of the Regulations:
"1. The Paying Authority shall exert appropriate
financial control over the Cooperation Programme. It shall, in
particular ensure that the NCU for Technical Support and the
Programme Operators apply the standards and procedures of the
Partner State for public funds.
2. The Paying Authority shall after the signing of the
Framework Agreement, open a separate bank account, to which
Switzerland shall transfer reimbursements from the
Contribution."
4.3 The following paragraph replaces Art. 4.1
paragraph 4 of the Regulations:
"4. Programme Components that are selected after the
conclusion of the Support Measure Agreement will be approved by
the Programme Operator and have to be endorsed by
Switzerland.".
4.4 According to the Regulations Art. 4.5 paragraph
1, Advisory Committees shall not be established for any
Support Measures as long as the selection process for Programme
Components is fair and transparent and the Swiss Contribution
Office can participate as an observer in this process.
4.5 Support Measure Implementation Agreements are
replaced with national legal acts and other documents examined by
the Cabinet of Ministers. Accordingly, Art. 1.3 point (x), Art
4.9, and Art. 6.8 paragraph 2 are not applicable and the
terms and conditions of grant assistance as well as the roles and
responsibilities of the respective parties shall be set out in
the national legal acts and other documents examined by the
Cabinet of Ministers governing implementation of the second Swiss
Contribution. It shall, in particular, include provisions that
ensure that the Programme Operator undertakes to comply fully
with the provisions constituting the legal framework of the
Cooperation Programme, as set out in Article 2 of the
Framework Agreement, which are relevant for the
implementation of the Programme, including any obligation that
continues to apply after the Programme has been completed. An
explicit reference to these Regulations shall be included. It may
also contain provisions that refer to any Swiss Support Measure
partnership or the involvement of Swiss experts, if relevant.
4.6 The parties agree that specifications of and
derogations from Art. 4.11 paragraph 1, 2 and 5 of the
Regulations will be described in the Support Measure
Agreements.
4.7 The following paragraph replaces Art. 10.1
paragraph 1 and 2 of the Regulations:
"1. The Partner state shall establish a comprehensive
monitoring and evaluation plan that outlines planned monitoring
missions as well as reviews and evaluations. This plan shall also
foresee options to assess the overall Cooperation Programme.
2. The NCU shall include a monitoring and evaluation plan
mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article in the Annual
Cooperation Programme Report for the year when the respective
Support Measure Agreement are signed.".
4.8 The following paragraph replaces Art. 10.2
paragraph 2 of the Regulations:
"2. Without prejudice to the monitoring carried out by
the Partner State, Switzerland, or any third party appointed by
it, shall have the right to visit the Support Measures, conduct a
comprehensive assessment, and shall be granted full access to all
documents and information related to the Support Measures. The
SCO shall inform the NCU about any planned monitoring mission two
weeks in advance. The Partner State shall, upon request, ensure
that the representatives of Switzerland are accompanied by the
relevant personnel and are provided with the necessary
assistance."
4.9 In specification to Art. 11.3 paragraph 2 and
3, the National Coordination Unit for the reporting of new
suspected or actual Irregularities amounting up to CHF 10 000
uses a simplified template agreed with Switzerland listing
irregularities detected in respective quarter.
4.10 According to Art. 3.3 paragraph 11 and Art. 3.4
paragraph 2 of the Regulations the following tasks of the
National Coordination Unit are delegated to the Programme
Operator:
• shall establish and chair the Support Measure Steering
Committee according to Art 4.11 of the Regulations;
• shall fulfil the post-obligations set out in Art. 4.15,
paragraph 2 and 3 of the Regulations;
• shall check the invoices and supporting documents received
from the Programme Components Operators according to Art. 6.8,
paragraph 3 of the Regulations;
• shall ensure obligations set in Art. 7.2 of the
Regulations;
• shall carry out on-site missions to monitor the progress
towards the outputs and outcomes according to agreed indicators,
baselines and targets according to Art. 10.2 of the
Regulations;
• shall carry out the final evaluation of Support Measure as
stipulated in the Support Measure Agreement and according to
Art. 10.3 of the Regulations.
4.11 In specification to Art. 6.8 paragraph 3
and Art. 8.2 paragraph 2, point (b) and (d) of the
Regulations: The Paying Authority for the purpose of
certification based on risk assessment performs controls only for
Technical Support and Programme Operators' management
expenditures. The Paying Authority shall check the invoices and
supporting documents received from the Programme Operators
regarding eligibility of management expenditures incurred by the
Programme Operators, verify the adequacy of the documentation, to
the extent necessary to obtain reasonable assurance as to the
legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. Paying
Authority shall confirm that based on the information provided by
Programme Operator to Paying Authority no double-financing could
be identified.
In the event of a conflict between the Regulations and these
specific provisions, the specific provisions of this Annex shall
prevail.