An agreement has been signed on the new funding period of the EEA and Norway Funds. In the 2021-2028 funding perspective, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will provide EUR 3.2 billion to the 15 EU Member States to enhance cohesion in Europe.
The aim of the EEA and Norway Grants scheme is to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and enhance cooperation between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the Beneficiary States.
Negotiations on a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants were formally launched in June 2022, and negotiators reached agreement in November 2023. On 25 June 2024, the agreement was approved by the Council of the EU, and on 12 September it was signed by the Ambassadors of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to the EU and the Deputy Secretary-General of the EU.
“For the next seven years, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will provide EUR 3.2 billion to 15 EU Member States to enhance cohesion in Europe. We will build on – and continue – the cooperation we have had for the last 20 years to address some of Europe’s main challenges, such as the green transition, protecting democracy and human rights, strengthening social inclusion and making Europe more resilient,” says Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director of the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels managing the EEA and Norway Grants.
The agreements to be drawn up for each Beneficiary State will set out a portfolio of programmes to be implemented and specify the partners, including partners from the Donor States, that will cooperate on programme implementation.
The three priority areas that have been designated are:
- European green transition
- Democracy, rule of law and human rights
- Social inclusion and resilience
In addition, out of a total of EUR 3.2 billion for the 15 EU Member States, EUR 183 million has been earmarked for measures to help address the ramifications of Russia’s war on Ukraine in the Beneficiary States.
