About the EEA and Norway Grants

WHY THE GRANTS?

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are partners with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). This enables the free movement of goods, services, people and capital in the internal market.

The EEA Agreement also includes a common goal of reducing social and economic disparities in Europe. Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Norway contributes to this effort and to strengthening the bilateral relations with the beneficiary states.

The Grants are also contributing to strengthening fundamental European values such as democracy, tolerance and the rule of law.

WHAT WE SUPPORT

The EEA and Norway Grants support development projects in priority areas such as environment and climate change, health and childcare, conservation of European cultural heritage, research and education, Schengen measures and judiciary, social dialogue and the strengthening of civil society. A number of Norwegian partners are engaged in projects and programmes.

For the period 2014-2021, €2.8 billion has been set aside under the Grants. Projects may be implemented until 2024. Funding is channelled through around programmes in the 15 beneficiary countries.

HOW IT WORKS

• Each beneficiary country agrees on a set of programmes with the donor countries, based on national needs and priorities and the scope for cooperation with the donor countries.
• A National Focal Point is responsible for the overall management of programmes in each beneficiary country.
• Programme Operators develop and manage the programmes, often in cooperation with a donor programme partner, and award funding to projects.
• Projects are selected following calls for proposals organised by the Programme Operator