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Project selection procedure
How are projects selected?
The National Coordination Unit, NCU, (National Development Agency) is responsible for selecting suitable projects in Hungary. Generally, the following procedures are used:
- Project proposals are submitted for consideration in general in response to a call for proposals.
- Project proposals are examined on the basis of selection criteria, which are described on the NCU’s homepage.
The NCU examines incoming project proposals on the basis of the established selection criteria, checking the accuracy and completeness of project proposals and making sure that they match the terms and thematic priorities agreed upon in the bilateral Framework Agreement with Switzerland.
As a rule, an advisory committee supports the NCU in the selection of project proposals, based on previously established criteria. Project proposals approved by the NCU will be forwarded to the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) or State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), depending on the theme of the project. The SDC or SECO will examine the proposals, make a definitive selection, and decide on the financing of the projects. The SDC and SECO can only accept project proposals that have been submitted to them through the NCU.
What basic criteria should be met by project proposals?
In order to be considered for funding, project proposals must be submitted in accordance with the procedures established in the bilateral Framework Agreement signed with Hungary and must match the thematic priorities. The NCU provides timely information on upcoming calls for proposal.
Only projects that are in the public interest will be financed through the Swiss Contribution. No support will be given to commercial projects.
Where can project proposals be submitted?
Only the NCU in Hungary may select project proposals. The SDC and SECO can consider only project proposals that are referred to them by the NCU. In most partner countries, the NCU is the same government office that is also responsible for the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds and the EEA/Norwegian Finance Mechanism.  Contact information of the NCU
Who can submit project proposals to the NCU?
Generally speaking project proposals may be submitted to the NCU by public bodies and institutions in Hungary, such as communes and regional and national authorities (e.g. individual, competent ministries), international organizations, and non-governmental organisations. The NCU may also consider project proposals from national or community enterprises or proposals from private institutions that have a public mandate.
For specific details, visit the NCU’s Website  www.swiss-contribution.hu
How long will the NCU continue to examine project proposals?
June 2012 is the last possible time for Switzerland to decide on the financing of a project.
What is the composition of the advisory committee that helps the NCU examine project proposals?
The advisory committee that helps the NCU examine project proposals is comprised of representatives from selected line ministries, regions, the civil society, the private sector and the NCU. Switzerland holds observer status on these committees.
Contract awarding procedure
The awarding of contracts for supplies and services is an independent process downstream of the selection and authorisation of a proposal.
As part of project implementation and in accordance with applicable law (national, EU and WTO regulations), calls for bids for supplies, as well as for construction and other services required for projects that fall under the Swiss Contribution, will be publicly advertised by those responsible for a project in Hungary. Where EU guidelines apply, the entire bidding process will take place according to public procurement rules and in a transparent manner. In such cases, calls for bids will be publicised not only in Hungary, but also throughout the EU.
The following EU website can be consulted in the latter case: http://ted.europa.eu/. Information about public awarding of contracts in the EU can be found at http://simap.europa.eu/.
The Executing Agency responsible for conducting the project is also responsible for tendering the contracts. On completion of the tendering procedure, the Executing Agency signs the supply and service contracts with the selected service providers.
Swiss companies can take part in all public calls for tenders for the delivery of goods and services as well as construction projects that relate to Switzerland, the EU’s Structural Fund or the EU’s Cohesion Fund (volume 2007-2013: totally Euro 347.41 billion / Hungary 25.307 billion). Information sheet - The government procurement of the EU: Consult the following site.
Programme implementation in Bulgaria and Romania – the SDC Thematic Funds
In Bulgaria and Romania the SDC is implementing what are termed thematic funds. These are managed by Swiss Intermediate Bodies who have previously been selected by public tender. The SDC makes its contribution in the fields of security, educational grants, health, research, civil society, partnerships and the minorities fund via these thematic funds. Compared with the system used in the other ten recently acceded EU countries, the SDC sees this as a more efficient method of implementing its enlargement contribution in the countries concerned.
Bulgaria and Romania: Submission of requests for financial support from the thematic funds
Project applications are to be addressed to the fund administrators, who analyze them on behalf of the National Coordination Unit (NCU), the SDC, as well as Bulgarian/Romanian institutions with responsibility for the given thematic area. The application is then sent to SDC headquarters for final approval. If successful, the Swiss intermediate body will conclude a project contract with the institution, or “executing agency”, in charge of managing the project.
Public calls to tender projects will be published on our website in due course.
You will find further information on the fund administrators' respective websites (approx. in June 2011)
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