EEA and Norway Grants

Reducing disparities Strengthening relationsBjarni Vestmann, Head of Administration, Communication and Donor Relations

September 2014

Who we are

Financial Mechanism Office

•Manages the EEA and Norway Grants on behalf of the donors (the Financial Mechanisms)

•Administratively part of EFTA

•Reports to the Foreign Ministries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

•Oversees implementation in 16 beneficiary countries

EEA Agreement

Article 115

…With a view to promoting a continuous and balanced strengthening of trade and economic relations between the Contracting Parties agree on the need to reduce the economic and social disparities between their regions…

Why we do it

The 3 donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the EEA Agreement

•We are partners in the internal market

•We share European values, such as democracy and tolerance

•We are helping to address the economic, political and social challenges facing Europe

•Strengthen relations between donor and beneficiary states

Contribution ---- Solidarity ---- Engagement

What we do

Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to

• reducing economic and social disparities

• strengthening bilateral relations

…..with 16 beneficiary countries in central and southern Europe

16 beneficiary countries

150

programmes

Target specific needs

Support capacity building

Exchange skills and knowledge

€1.8 billion

2009-2014

GDP per person (PPS)EU-28=100 (2012)

Norway 195Iceland 112

…Latvia 62Romania 49Bulgaria 47

Economic disparities

Human developmentUNDP Index – world ranking (2014)

Norway 1Iceland 13Liechtenstein 18

Slovenia 25Poland 35Bulgaria 58

Social disparities

Mutual benefits

•Creates stronger bonds which increase opportunities for trade and investment

•Cements ties which will ensure beyond the funding at political, institutional, cultural and educational level

•Strengthens cooperation to serve in the fight against crime

…..works to the benefit of all

Funding by country

Funding by sector

GREEN FOCUS

Around 1/3 to environment and climate change

• Renewable energy• Energy efficiency• Climate change• Green innovation• Research and innovation• Biodiversity

Green industry innovation is a new

sector. €120 million to business development in

cooperation with Norwegian SMEs.

BG, EE, HU, LV, LT, RO, SK, PL.

CIVIL SOCIETY

NGO funds in all 16 countries - €158 million

• Democracy and good governance

• Human rights • Anti-discrimination• Social justice• Sustainable development

Improving the situation for the Roma population is a focus of NGO funds

in a number of countries.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Research cooperation and educational exchange

• Research cooperation• Application of research• Educational cooperation• Student mobility• Staff mobility

Bilateral cooperation is key to the programmes

on research and education.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Protecting and assisting vulnerable groups

• Improve capacity• Improve systems• Equal access to health• Protecting vulnerable groups

Improved care for children, youth and various vulnerable

groups is important in many programmes and

countries.

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Fighting crime and improving the judiciary system

• Police cooperation• Access to justice• Efficient judiciary• Better prisons• Fight human trafficking

Fighting cross-border and organised crime,

and improving correctional services,

including non-custodial sanctions

CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Protecting heritage andpromoting cultural dialogue

• Restore cultural heritage• Improve access to culture• Preserve traditional skills• Promote cultural diversity• Cooperation and dialogue

Encouraging cooperation and dialogue between

cultural institutions is an important aspect of the culture programmes.

Characteristics

• Accessible funding

• Complements EU funds

• Flexible

• Popular

• Visible

Website

Project portal

Media library

www.eeagrants.org

www.facebook.com/EEANorwayGrantswww.twitter.com/EEANorwayGrants

www.youtube.com/EEANorwayGrants