Executive Summary

As of May 27, 2026, Switzerland's third "Call for Proposals" for reconstruction projects in Ukraine is underway. The federal government is providing up to 50 million francs for co-financing. Swiss companies with operations in Ukraine can submit project proposals until September 20, 2026. The focus is on investments in production facilities that will be operated long-term by Ukrainian subsidiaries. Individual projects will receive between 3 and 10 million francs; companies must cover at least 50 percent of costs themselves. Selection will take place through a two-stage process conducted by a committee composed of Swiss and Ukrainian government representatives.

People

  • Swiss Federal Council (collegial body)
  • Ukrainian government representatives (committee members)

Topics

  • Ukraine reconstruction
  • Swiss foreign economic policy
  • Public-private partnership
  • Economic development
  • Bilateral cooperation

Clarus Lead

The program signals Swiss commitment beyond short-term emergency aid and systematically integrates the private sector into long-term stabilization. With 1.5 billion francs in the country program 2025–2028, Switzerland positions itself as a structural reconstruction partner – a signal that goes beyond humanitarian rhetoric and concretizes economic continuity in war-devastated regions. The requirement for 50-percent self-financing by companies reduces state risk and creates incentives for sustainable, profit-oriented projects rather than subsidy-dependent ventures.

Detailed Summary

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) coordinates the third call within the framework of the Ukraine country program 2025–2028. Of the total 1.5 billion francs, 500 million francs are explicitly reserved for Swiss private sector projects; the current call mobilizes 50 million francs of this amount.

Selection criteria prioritize investments in production infrastructure with a multi-year operational horizon. Projects must be operated by existing or newly established Ukrainian subsidiaries – a condition that ensures local employment and value creation. The range of 3 to 10 million francs per project indicates a focus on mid-sized companies; large corporations would typically bear the 50-percent self-financing from corporate funds.

The two-stage selection process runs until spring 2027; implementation of selected projects is to begin immediately thereafter. The institutional composition of the selection committee (Swiss and Ukrainian government representatives) enables coordination with Ukrainian reconstruction priorities and reduces the risk of misallocation.

Key Statements

  • Switzerland is mobilizing 50 million francs in co-financing for reconstruction projects with Swiss private sector participation.
  • Companies must self-finance at least 50 percent of project costs – a risk-sharing mechanism.
  • Application deadline: September 20, 2026; selection process runs until spring 2027.
  • Focus on long-term production infrastructure, not short-term emergency measures.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What empirical criteria define "long-term production" and resilience? Are there baseline metrics for measuring success?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How are conflicts between Swiss corporate profits and Ukrainian reconstruction goals managed? What controls prevent profit outflows?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Why is the 50-percent self-financing ratio optimal? Would higher federal subsidies have enabled faster implementation?

  4. Feasibility: How is the security of investments in war-affected regions guaranteed? What insurance mechanisms exist?

  5. Governance: How is the independence of the selection committee ensured against political pressure?

  6. Transparency: Will project lists and selection rationales be published?

Bibliography

Primary Source: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO – Third Call for Proposals for Swiss Companies in Ukraine

Official Application Platform: Third Call for Proposals – SECO Cooperation

Verification Status: ✓ 28.05.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 28.05.2026