Making a difference EEA and Norway Grants Sigve Soldal Bjorstad Head of information EEA Seminar 27 May 2010 Text White TheTHE EEA EEA GRANTS and AND Norway NORWAY GRANTSGrants A contribution from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to reduce social and economic disparities within the European Economic Area 16 years of support The EEA EFTA States have contributed with cohesion support ever since the European Agreement entered into force in 1994 Financial Mechanism (1994-1998) Financial Instrument (1999-2003) Donor states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (Austria, Finland, Sweden) Beneficiary states: Greece, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain Funding size FM 94-98: EUR 500 million + interest rebates on EUR 1.5 bill of EIB loans Funding size FI 99-03: EUR 119.6 million Sectors: Environment, Education and training, Transport No. of projects FM 94-98: 56 No. of projects FI 99-03: 25 2004-2009 15 beneficiary states 3 donor states 1.3 billion euro 1250 grants THEThree EEA components GRANTS AND NORWAY GRANTS EEA Grants EUR 672 million Norway Grants EUR 567 million The Norwegian Cooperation Programmes with Bulgaria and Romania EUR 68 million* *administered separately by Innovation Norway Norway represents 97% of the total EUR 1.3 billion contribution Beneficiaries Public authorities Local 25% ½ of the funding goes to public authorities National 19% Regional 7% ¼ of the support goes to Institutions/organisations education, research Educat./research 12% and NGOs NGOs 12% Only a small proportion is Business allocated to companies Private owned 4% Public owned 2% Partnerships PARTNERSHIPS Strengthening bilateral cooperation • 320 partnership projects “The cooperation established with Norwegian and Icelandic fellows due to the EEA and Norway Grants • 1 in 3 are in Poland is of significant value to Polish researchers.” • 2 in 3 research projects -Professor Barbara Kurdycka, Minister of Science and Higher Education • Polish-Norwegian research fund – EUR 25 mill in support to additional bilateral research projects PARTNERSHIPS 9 3 out of 5 research projects are based on bilateral partnerships 9Research funds earmarked bilateral partnerships 9 Environment and health research Geological CO2 storage in Czech Rep. Portuguese-Norwegian cancer research: The Czech Geological Survey and the In collaboration with Rikshospitalet International Research Institute of University Hospital in Norway, researchers Stavanger are charting possible sites for at Porto University are working to increase future CO2 capture and geological storage in awareness of gastric and cervix cancer. the Czech Republic. Does it make a difference? Mid-term Evaluation Popular, appreciated and visible Positive conclusions -Highly popular and appreciated in the BS -Highly visible in the BS -Funds and programmes appear most successful Negative conclusions -Inefficiencies in implementation have led to delays -Delays have led to losses for beneficiaries -Lack of clear objectives, supported by indicators and targets Review Reduction of greenhouse gases • 164 projects • Cost efficient contribution • 114,6 million euro • Adressees a funding gap • 60% in Poland • Recommends continued focus on energy efficiency • Mostly renewable energy, energy and change of heating efficiency systems in public buildings in Central Europe A similar review showed that energy consumption is expected to drop by more than 50% in public buildings through these projects Review Preserving biodiversity • 52 projects • Contributes to national and international biodiversity • 49 million euro obligations • Mostly flora/fauna • Contributes to research to establish key data to assist with species and habitats protection and management • Calls for increased awareness raising on these issues NGOs Strengthening civil society Key facts: “Building democracies is a • 19 NGO funds continuous task, and.. the • 12 countries EEA and Norway Grants is • EUR 85 million in support unique.., funding the • 1860 projects development of active civic participation.” - Kuba Wygnanski, Polish civil Background society activist • A young and vulnerable sector in many countries • Former international donors have shifted focus further east or south • The financial crisis has hit the NGO- sector hard NGO funds Fund example Polish NGO-fund • EUR 37.5 in grants • the largest single grant • Will support over 500 projects Focus areas: • Democracy and civil society • Environmental protection and sustainable development • Equal opportunities and social integration NGO projects Fighting discrimination. Pro Humanum organises training for senior police officers in identifying and combating discriminatory attitudes and practices in the Polish police force. Green mobility. The organisation Ožuvení has been awarded funding by the Czech NGO fund to promote walking and cycling Integrating Roma. An integration and talent as alternative modes of transport. training programme that enrolls Roma children and youth from poor, deprived families in Slovakia is implemented by Pro Donum. 2009-2014 15 beneficiary states Reducing economic and 3 donor states social disparities 1.79 billion euro EEA Grants AND 988.5 mln euro Norway Grants Strengthening bilateral 800 mln euro relations NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT 9 PROGRAMME APPROACH – Managed by national operators – funds will be channelled through programmes established under various priority sectors in the beneficiary states 9 BILATERAL RELATIONS AS AN OVERALL GOAL – Partnerships at programme level – Partnerships at project level PRIORITY SECTORS EEA Grants Norway Grants • Environmental protection • Carbon capture and storage and management (CCS) • Climate change and • Green industry innovation renewable energy • Research and scholarship • Academic research • Human and social • Human and social development development • Promotion of decent work • Civil society and tripartite dialogue • Protecting cultural heritage • Justice and home affairs Timeline 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Negotiate Ratify MoU- Establishing Calls for Implementation agreement negotiat. programmes projects of projects http://www.eeagrants.org/id/1506 www.eeagrants.org.