About the New Regional Policy
Since 2008, over 5,000 projects have been implemented in the framework of the New Regional Policy. Since 2020, start-ups and SMEs have benefited from over 10,000 innovation coachings funded by the NRP. Every Swiss franc invested by the federal government generates up to five times that amount in investment.
The NRP supports initiatives, programmes and projects that promote entrepreneurship, boost the innovative capacity of SMEs and increase regional value creation. It improves the competitiveness of rural areas, mountain regions and border regions. The NRP helps to create and maintain jobs in its target areas. In this way, it helps to reduce regional disparities and ensure that even remote regions have a good economic future. If people can work where they live, decentralised settlement in Switzerland can also be maintained. The NRP aims to utilise existing potential and strengthen partnerships between urban and rural areas.
The NRP focuses on regions outside the large agglomerations and metropolitan areas: rural areas, mountain regions, small and medium-sized towns and border regions. There, the NRP invests in innovative projects and also helps to finance important infrastructure. The NRP coordinates its work with other federal support measures. The NRP also imparts knowledge about regional development.
Since 2008, more than 5,000 projects have been implemented across all regions of Switzerland in the framework of the New Regional Policy. A large number of these projects have provided a significant boost to regional economic development. Every Swiss franc invested by the federal government generates up to five times that amount in investment. Regional policy activities form part of a broad range of federal instruments designed to ensure coherent spatial development.
You can find out how the NRP works on the website of regiosuisse, the network centre for regional development, which is funded by SECO: Die Neue Regionalpolitik wirkt | regiosuisse (information available in German, French and Italian)
Main priorities
The federal government's multi-year programme 2024–2031 defines the following priorities:
Industry
Innovative products and companies are important for Switzerland's prosperity. The NRP promotes inter-company innovative SMEs in rural areas, mountain regions and border regions. The NRP does this in particular by promoting cross-cantonal “Regional Innovation Systems” (RIS), which support the networking of companies, education and research as well as the public sector. Find out more
Tourism
Tourism plays a key role in the NRP target areas. By promoting collaboration, attractive, value-added infrastructure and innovative, highly skilled service providers, destinations and regions can strategically position themselves in the market with their specific offers. Support for quality and product development, aimed at extending value chains in tourism, generates new, innovative products and services, and thus additional income opportunities. Find out more.
Cross-cutting topics
Digitalisation
Digitalisation affects all areas of the economy. The NRP supports and promotes digitalisation projects in its target area. It also invests in awareness-raising and networking measures in the field of digitalisation. In this way, it wants to help ensure that no region is left behind in the digital age. Find out more
Sustainable development
From 2024 to 2031, the New Regional Policy will be more closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy. It is an economic policy instrument that incorporates measurable sustainability targets, thereby contributing to sustainable, resilient and balanced regional economic development in mountainous areas, rural areas and border regions. Find out more.
Local economy
The local economy strengthens regional economic cycles, generates local value and complements the export-oriented focus of the New Regional Policy (NRP). It mobilises local stakeholders and contributes to regional economic development, particularly in rural and peripheral regions. Find out more.
Legal basis
The legal basis is provided by the Federal Act of 6 October 2006 on Regional Policy (BRP, SR 901.0) and the Ordinance of 28 November 2007 on Regional Policy (VRP, SR 901.021). The explanations in the messages are decisive for implementation.
Further information
Index
Publications
The New Regional Policy NRP
Brochure on the New Regional Policy NRP (available in German, French and Italian)
White Paper on Regional Policy
White Paper on regional policy: Ideas for shaping future regional policy
Scientific basis of the New Regional Policy (NRP)
Report (available in German) and Management Response (available in German and French)
Main priorities and topics of the New Regional Policy
Contact
Promotion Activities Directorate
Regional Policy
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern