Source: Mission of to the EU website

The EEA and Norway Grants

Last updated: 21.12.2016 // The EEA and Norway Grants are Norway’s contribution to reducing economic and social disparities within the (EEA). Our funding also provide a unique opportunity to promote cooperation and partnerships between Norway and the fifteen beneficiary states in Central and Southern Europe.

Focus areas

The EEA and Norway Grants are allocated to sectors that are crucial for development in the beneficiary country, and where there is potential for, and interest in, cooperation with Norway. Five key sectors have been identified:

1. Innovation, research, education and competitiveness 2. Social inclusion, poverty reduction and youth employment 3. Environment, energy, climate change and the low-carbon economy 4. Culture, civil society, good governance and fundamental rights 5. Justice and home affairs

The EEA and Norway Grants are distributed between various programmes in each of these sectors following negotiations between Norway and the beneficiary country in question. Each programme then awards grants for projects on the basis of open calls for proposals.

Regional funds: There are a number of challenges in Europe that affect several countries or regions and that can only be tackled through cross-border efforts. Three special funds have been established with this in view.

Fund for Youth Employment: The Youth Employment Fund provides financing for projects targeted at disadvantaged out-of-work young people who are not in education or vocational training.

Fund for Regional: The purpose of the regional cooperation fund is to stimulate more and closer regional cooperation. Funding is provided for a range of projects on different themes.

Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Fund: The decent work fund supports initiatives that promote cooperation and dialogue between employees, employers and the authorities, for example on good labour standards, gender equality, etc. These initiatives are carried out in close cooperation with the social partners in Norway.

The Grants give special attention to strengthening civil society and improving the capacity of non- governmental organisations (NGOs). The civil society programmes (EUR 160.8 million) reflects a firm recognition of the sector’s role as a fundamental building block of democratic governance, human rights and social cohesion across Europe.

Bilateral relations

Strengthening bilateral relations is a key objective. Strategic partnerships between organisations and institutions in Norway and the beneficiary states have been established, and new opportunities for cooperation are explored on an ongoing basis. A wide range of public authorities and institutions, organisations and businesses also participate in partnership projects. Source: Mission of Norway to the EU website

Beneficiary states

Poland, , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

EU member states that receive support from the EU Cohesion Fund may receive funding under the EEA and Norway Grants. To be eligible, the country must have a gross national income (GNI) that is 90 % of the EU average or lower. For the current funding period (2014–2021), this applies to 15 countries. The Norway Grants is reserved for countries that joined the EU after 2003.

Contributions 2014-2021 (million EUR)

Programmes and projects may be implemented until 2016.

Beneficiary state Amount

Poland 809.3

Romania 502.5

Hungary 214.6

Bulgaria 210.1

Czech Republic 184.5

Lithuania 117.6

Greece 116.7

Slovakia 113.1

Croatia 103.4

Portugal 102.7

Latvia 102.1

Estonia 68

Slovenia 37.7

Cyprus 11.5

Malta 8

Background The EEA and Norway Grants scheme consists of two financial mechanisms. One is funded solely by Norway (the Norway Grants), and amounts to EUR 1.25 billion for the period 2014–2021. The other (the EEA Grants) is funded by Norway (96%) together with (3%) and (1%). The two mechanisms are generally referred to as the EEA and Norway Grants.