Norway to strengthen cooperation with Croatia on business development and justice and home affairs

‘These agreements will strengthen cooperation between Norway and Croatia in important sectors. There will be good opportunities for Norwegian businesses to become partners in the various projects,’ said Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

Business development and innovation is a new, important focus area. Innovation Norway (IN) will play a key role. For example, IN will seek to facilitate cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in Norway and Croatia that are involved in green industry innovation and blue growth.

‘Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Norway is making an important contribution to development in a part of Europe where this is needed,’ said Ms Solberg.

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate will be involved in a programme on energy cooperation, and will have responsibility for recruiting Norwegian partners for these projects.

Justice and home affairs is another area of cooperation that will be strengthened. The Norwegian Courts Administration will contribute to the development and implementation of this programme, which will mainly focus on increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the courts.

Funding under the EEA and Norway Grants will also be used to enhance social and economic development in the education sector, with an emphasis on inclusive education. The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education will act as strategic adviser for this programme.

In addition, Norway is providing funding through the grants scheme for public sector reform in Croatia and for strengthening civil society.

Facts about the EEA and Norway Grants

• Norway is part of the European internal market through the EEA Agreement.

• The EEA Agreement sets out the common goal of working together to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and to strengthen cooperation between European countries. Norway contributes to this through the EEA and Norway Grants.

• EUR 2.8 billion will be available under the grant scheme for the period 2014-2021, to be distributed among 15 beneficiary countries. Croatia is to receive EUR 103.4 million.
• Norway provides some 98 % of the EEA and Norway Grants; the remainder is provided by Iceland and Liechtenstein.

See the fact sheet for an overview of the programmes that are to be implemented in Croatia.