New Regional Policy

With the New Regional Policy (NRP), the federal government, together with the cantons, invests in innovative minds and companies that want to make rural and mountain regions as well as border regions attractive as economic, living and recreational areas and develop them sustainably. The focus is on promoting innovation, structural change in tourism and the digital transformation of the economy.

About the New Regional Policy

Since 2008, over 5,000 projects have been implemented as part of the NRP. Since 2020, start-ups and SMEs have benefited from over 10,000 innovation coaching sessions funded by the NRP.

A person is operating an industrial mechanical press on a wooden workbench. Their hands are holding the top of a Vacherin Mont-d'Or cheese, which is decorated with a decorative pattern.

NRP project funding

Through non-repayable financial contributions and low-interest loans, the NRP project funding strengthens innovation and competitiveness in rural and border regions.

Map of Switzerland showing the six regional innovation systems (RIS): RIS Basel-Jura, RIS Mittelland, RIS Suisse occidentale, RIS Zentralschweiz innovativ, RIS Ost und RIS Sud.

Industry and RIS

Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) connect businesses, universities, and public sector entities, provide targeted support to SMEs, and strengthen regional innovation capacity.

The CabriO cable car on the Stanserhorn glides over a green landscape, with passengers on board, overlooking a lake and the villages scattered across the valley.

Tourism

Tourism plays a key role in the NRP target areas. It therefore also forms a thematic funding priority in the 2024–2031 multi-annual programme.

A hand with an outstretched finger touches a virtual point in front of an abstract digital network on a blue background.

Digitalisation in the NRP

Digitalization offers significant opportunities for the NRP’s target areas. The NRP aims to raise awareness among regional stakeholders, strengthen their networks, and drive the digital transformation in the regions.

Two people, seen from behind, are looking at an exhibition display where fabric samples and label cards attached with pegs are arranged.

Sustainable development in the NRP

The NRP promotes regional value creation and competitiveness while taking environmental, social, and economic factors into account.

A market vendor hands a shopping bag to a customer in front of a stall laden with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Local economy

The local economy strengthens regional economic cycles, generates value locally and complements the export-oriented focus of the New Regional Policy (NRP).

Impact assessment and evaluation

The New Regional Policy deploys its resources in a targeted, effective and efficient manner. A focus on impact is key to planning, managing and measuring the results achieved.

Text on image: Regio Suisse. Background: Snow-covered mountain landscape.

Network office regiosuisse

Through the regiosuisse network office, the Confederation supports those working in regional development by providing knowledge resources, facilitating networking and offering an information platform.

Contact

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Promotion Activities Directorate
Regional Policy
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern