More federal funds for integration 2028-2032 (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• 334,5 million allocated for the 2028-2032 period
• 66,9 million per year, 5,4 more than before
• 37,3 million annually to the Cantons for integration
• 29,6 million annually to national programmes

Key facts

• Decision: Federal Council
• Period: 2028-2032
• Total credit: 334,5 million
• Annual allocation: 66,9 million
• Cantonal measures: 37,3 million annually
• National programmes: 29,6 million annually
• Employment rate of immigrants: 77%

On Friday, the Federal Council decided to increase support for promoting integration in Switzerland. For the 2028-2032 period, it allocated a credit of 334,5 million francs for cantonal integration programmes, referred to as PIC, and projects of national importance.

Every year, the Confederation will make 66,9 million francs available. This is 5,4 million more per year. The annual allocation is divided between the portion intended for the Cantons and that reserved for national programmes, according to the two lines set out in the federal decision.

The priorities indicated

The Cantons will receive 37,3 million francs annually for measures to promote language skills, information, counselling and educational and professional integration. Their contribution must be at least equal to the federal contribution. The supported activities therefore include both language acquisition and pathways related to education and work.

The priorities include removing barriers to the integration of women and strengthening educational pathways. The stated aim is to promote labour market integration by linking integration to education and professional participation.

Another 29,6 million francs per year will finance national programmes, including the integration pre-apprenticeship. Finally, the source links the new funds to the results of the cantonal programmes, active since 2014: the employment rate of immigrants in Switzerland is 77%, among the highest in the OECD area.

Operational details

What changes for cantons and beneficiaries

On a practical level, the decision strengthens a structure in which the cantons have a direct role. The annual share of 37.3 million francs is allocated to four areas: language promotion, information, counselling and educational and professional integration. For those seeking an integration pathway, these categories help distinguish the type of measure to identify at cantonal level.

The comparison with the previous situation is given by the increase of 5.4 million francs per year. The Confederation will thus bring its annual allocation to 66.9 million. For cantonal measures, however, federal funding must be accompanied by a share from the cantons at least equivalent to it. The overall value of cantonal interventions therefore does not coincide with the federal amount alone.

Two distinct channels

The announced allocation separates two channels. The first concerns cantonal integration programmes, or PICs, with resources for language, information, counselling, education and work. The second concerns national programmes, funded with 29.6 million per year and also including the integration pre-apprenticeship.

The distinction is also useful for understanding the priorities. A language difficulty falls under language promotion; a need for orientation under information or counselling. The transition towards education and professional integration, on the other hand, falls within the educational and professional pathways indicated by the Federal Council.

The priority dedicated to women signals that removing obstacles to integration is an explicit part of the new direction. Strengthening educational pathways aims to establish a connection with work. Those who want to complement this perspective with the search for professional opportunities can consult the annunci di lavoro, keeping the editorial tool and public funding separate.

The 77% figure for the employment rate of immigrants in Switzerland describes the results attributed to the cantonal programmes since 2014. It does not, however, constitute an automatic forecast for the 2028-2032 period: the decision indicates the objectives and resources, not a new expected employment rate.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

How to navigate the measures

The first step is to identify the area of need. Measures funded through cantonal programmes concern language promotion, information, counselling, and educational and professional integration. These are the categories to use when reviewing initiatives linked to the PICs.

The second step is to distinguish the programme level. If the intervention falls under the PICs, the share indicated for the Cantons is 37,3 million francs per year and requires a cantonal contribution at least equal to the federal one. If, instead, it is a national initiative, the reference is the annual share of 29,6 million, which also includes the integration pre-apprenticeship.

A practical framework

To follow implementation during the 2028-2032 period, it is advisable to look in your own Canton for measures falling under the four areas indicated. Those who need to strengthen their language skills can turn to language promotion; those who need guidance can consider information and counselling. For those aiming for education or work, the reference point is educational and professional pathways.

The priority given to women should be considered when the problem concerns specific obstacles to integration. The federal plan indicates it alongside the strengthening of educational pathways, with the aim of supporting entry into employment. If the pathway leads to professional activity, consulting a guide on busta paga svizzera can be added as a separate tool for navigating the world of work.

The financial framework is the federal credit of 334,5 million for the 2028-2032 period, with 66,9 million made available each year. To explore the relationship between professional pathways and income, use calcolatore stipendio.

Source: rsi.ch