Switzerland to phase out DEZA development projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina by 2029

The Swiss Federal Council has decided to restructure its international development cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under a new model aimed at increasing efficiency and achieving budget savings, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DEZA) will gradually withdraw its projects by 2029.

Economic cooperation will continue through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which will focus on economic and infrastructure projects. The Swiss government anticipates that these changes to international cooperation between 2027 and 2030 will result in total savings of approximately 113 million Swiss francs.

The decision has drawn criticism from both Swiss politicians and partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact on long-standing programs in education, employment, healthcare, and local administration. For example, in Travnik, stakeholders involved in dual education vocational training expressed concern over the loss of DEZA support.

Swiss Ambassador to Sarajevo, Gabriele Derighetti, stated that the withdrawal of DEZA does not signify an end to cooperation, but rather an adaptation to the country’s development, noting that “Bosnia and Herzegovina is no longer the same country as it was 30 years ago.”