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. The Federal Chancellery is currently drafting the ordinance provisions on Article 17 EMOTA. Projects are expected to be able to be submitted from 2025.
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.
What’s next?
- The provisions of the ordinance are expected to enter into force in the first quarter of 2025. Projects can be submitted for funding once the provisions of the ordinance have come into force.
Further information
