Published on 26 July 2026
Results in Estonia
All 18 projects were successfully completed by the end of 2016. The initial objectives have been achieved and in some projects even surpassed.
An overview of the results:
Research
Twenty-two Estonian doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers are taking part in a fixed-term research residency at a Swiss university thanks to a SCIEX fellowship. To consolidate Estonia as a research location, an atomic force microscope and a magnetic force microscope have been installed at the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics (NICPB). Eight young Estonian researchers have been taught how to use the microscopes thanks to special courses at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) and the NICPB in Estonia. This project has resulted in a close partnership between the two institutions.
Transparent financial reporting
Authorities and associations have acquired skills in the area of international financial reporting and auditing standards by taking part in training courses (in total around 5,400 participant days). Around 310 auditors have passed re-accreditation exams. International norms have been translated into Estonian and the University of Tartu has introduced a master's programme in auditing. Newly developed auditing software has also simplified work for small to medium-sized businesses.
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A Swiss company has produced an exercise machine to help patients with neurological illnesses or injures improve their ability to walk. — © SDC Children’s homes
Fourteen children's homes have been opened in the towns of Viljandi, Sarepedi, Juuru, Elva, Valga and Paide, housing 95 children and care staff. The project has helped to ensure that 100% of Estonian orphans now have access to modern children's homes.
Therapy for prisoners with a drug addiction
The aim of this project is to offer therapy to prisoners with a drug addiction during incarceration or probation. Of the 30 people who have taken part in the programme, six have completed it successfully, 14 are still in treatment and ten have stopped treatment. Thirty guards and 90 probation officers successfully participated in the specially developed training programmes.
Rehabilitation
Since 2011, the Tallinn Children's Hospital has had a new exercise machine that helps children aged between three and twelve who have neurological illnesses or injuries improve their ability to walk. Eight patients have been using the machine every day. The Adeli rehabilitation clinic also offers children over the age of 12 and adults up to seven therapy sessions a day.
Improving efficiency at the emergency services and in the ambulance system
Two projects modernised Estonia's operational centres and rescue services. Thanks to the use of modern communications technology, the ambulance and rescue services in Estonia significantly reduced their response time. Estonian rescue and ambulance service staff were also trained in how to use the new technology.
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The new low-energy building in Väätsa was opened in 2015. — © SECO Energy efficiency
Estonia has developed new standards to make buildings more energy efficient. A total of three preschools, two primary schools and an elderly people's home in five different municipalities have been built or renovated according to these new standards and now serve as a prototype for energy-efficient public buildings. The project also led to partnerships and research projects with two universities. Professional associations and education institutes were also able to benefit from seminars and guided tours of the buildings, as well as from the guidelines that were developed and the data that was collected as part of the project.
Environmental monitoring
Switzerland equipped Estonian laboratories and monitoring stations with modern devices and funded training courses for personnel. Thanks to this project, Estonia now has comprehensive and reliable environmental data on water, air, radioactivity and natural hazards. Estonian authorities can now use satellites to monitor polluted areas or dangerous materials being transported, for which a Swiss company has provided Estonia with the hard- and software for kinematic surveying using GPS worth more than CHF 1 million.
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Two finance authority officials checking a lorry’s load in the old city port in Tallinn. — © SDC Modernisation of the judiciary
Thirty-five courtrooms, police stations and prosecutors' offices have been equipped with modern videoconferencing technology, and two representatives per institution have taken part in a training course on how to use the equipment. On average, 40 videoconferences take place every month. This makes court hearings more efficient, brings down transport costs and facilitates (international) information exchange.
Conference of judges
A conference took place in Tartu in September 2010 attended by judges from 12 different countries. At the close of the conference a compendium in English, Estonian, Russian and German was drawn up and distributed.
Border security
A total of 10 checkpoints that automatically recognise number plates have been constructed in three sea ports. This helps all Schengen member states to better combat tax fraud and smuggling.
Improved fire prevention
Some 175 hospitals and care homes have received 1,000 life-saving blankets and 200 fire-retardant blankets. To help prevent fires, there is also a manual for assessing fire risks in public buildings and an online platform that answers questions about fire safety and staff training.
Modernising the Estonian Forensic Science Institute
Modern hardware and software and training courses for the Estonian Forensic Science Institute and other prosecution authorities help in the fight against crime. These measures make it possible to identify unknown persons more quickly and process evidence more efficiently.
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Children are an important target group of the NGO support fund. — © SDC Support funding for NGOs
NGOs received funds to promote and strengthen civil society's participation in the economic and social development of the country. A particular focus was on bolstering cooperation between NGOs and the public sector in providing public services. To this end, a total of 57 small-scale and 64 larger-scale projects were supported. Over the course of the project, 100 different public-sector services were outsourced to NGOs, and 78 Estonian NGOs signed declarations on cooperation with 212 municipalities and 28 public-sector institutions.