Article 17 of the Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means to Conduct Official Tasks (EMOTA) allows the federal government to promote digitalisation projects of significant public interest. Work in this domain is currently suspended as the Federal Council, as part of its austerity measures, would like to refrain from granting subsidies for beacon projects and repeal Article 17 EMOTA.
What is it about?
In future, the federal government will be able to provide financial support to digitalisation projects that offer clear added value for society and the scientific community, and that enhance Switzerland’s standing as a business location. It is therefore providing funding, in particular to start-ups, to support digitalisation projects that contribute to the implementation of the Digital Switzerland Strategy.
If you have any questions, please contact digitale-schweiz@bk.admin.ch.
Consultation
On 16.04.2024, the Federal Chancellery opened the consultation procedure for the new ordinance on start-up funding for digitalisation projects of high public interest.
The consultation documents can be found under this link.
What has been achieved so far?
- On 2 December 2021, the identical Würth (21.4377) and Guggisberg (21.4490) motions called for a legal basis to be drawn up to promote and finance private digitalisation projects of significant public interest (digital beacon projects).
- On 16 February 2022, the Federal Council requested that the motions be adopted. These were subsequently adopted by both Councils.
- On 17 March 2023, the necessary legal basis for the promotion of digital beacon projects was created under Art. 17 EMOTA and adopted by the Council of States and the National Council.
- In November 2023, the Federal Council approved a standards concept for the implementation of Art. 17 FDPA. The concept sets out the key points for the promotion of digitalisation projects of significant public interest.
- On 16.04.2024, the Federal Chancellery opened the consultation procedure for the new ordinance on start-up funding for digitalisation projects of high public interest.
No subsidies for beacon projects
At its meeting on 20 September, the Federal Council considered the report submitted by the group of experts that it had commissioned to conduct a spending review, and decided which austerity measures should be pursued. The Federal Council accepted the proposal made by the group of experts to forgo subsidies for beacon projects. The consultation on the repeal of Article 17 EMOTA is expected to begin in January. Work in this domain has therefore been suspended and no funding applications will be accepted.
Further information
