Government Federal Council wants to respond more flexibly to the needs of minorities

In future, organizations will be able to submit applications for the protection of minorities at any time. Previously, this was only the case to a limited extent. The Federal Council has amended the relevant ordinance in the wake of the Middle East conflict.

Based on the Ordinance on Measures to Support the Security of Minorities with Special Protection Needs, the federal government can provide financial support for structural, technical or organizational measures by private or public organizations on an annual basis. This financial aid is intended to help implement security measures that protect minorities from terrorist or violent extremist attacks.

Previously, organizations could submit their applications by the end of June. Now, applications for structural and technical measures can be submitted at any time due to unforeseeable security risks, as the Federal Council announced on Wednesday. The annual funding of CHF 5 million remains the same.