Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway

11/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/04/2025 06:47

Norway signs agreement with The Czech Republic on EEA and Norway Grants

Norway signs agreement with The Czech Republic on EEA and Norway Grants

News story | Date: 04/11/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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State Secretary Astrid Bergmål signed an agreement in the Czech Republic today on a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants.

Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Norway will cooperate with the Czech Republic on culture, research and innovation, green transition, health, education and inclusion of the Roma people.

'The EEA and Norway Grants contribute to strengthening the ties between Norway and the Czech Republic in important areas. I am pleased that we are now continuing our cooperation,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

State Secretary Astrid Bergmål at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed on behalf of Norway in Prague. Deputy Minister of Finance Tomás Holub signed on behalf of the Czech Republic.

A total of EUR 225,2 million has been allocated to the Czech Republic in the coming period. Norway will provide around 97 % of that amount. The remainder will be provided by Iceland and Liechtenstein. The funding period formally ends in 2028, but project funds may be disbursed up to the end of April 2031. The Czech Republic has received EEA Grants since joining the EU in 2004.

The funds are distributed across six thematic programmes, particularly on green transition, democracy and robust, inclusive societies.

The Norwegian Environment Agency, the Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, Arts and Culture Norway and the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage are participating as programme partners on the Norwegian side.

Support for civil society

In addition to the individual agreements with each beneficiary state, a separate fund has been set up to support civil society in the beneficiary states. This funding is administered independently of the authorities in each individual country.

EEA and Norway Grants

The aim of Norway's funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme is to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe. In addition, the scheme helps to enhance cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary states.

For the 2021-2028 period, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are providing EUR 3.268 billion to the EU's 15 least prosperous states. Norway provides roughly 97 % of the funding from the three EEA EFTA states.

The priority areas for the EEA and Norway Grants are:

  • green transition;
  • democracy, rule of law and human rights;
  • social inclusion and resilience.

A total of EUR 183 million has been earmarked for measures to help address the ramifications of Russia's war on Ukraine in the beneficiary states.

In addition, a fund totalling more than EUR 300 million has been earmarked to support organisations working to promote the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Europe.

Countries qualified to receive funding under the grants scheme in the current period:

Country

Amount (EUR million)

Poland

924.9

Romania

596.3

Bulgaria

260

Hungary

254.1

Czech Republic

225.2

Greece

159.3

Croatia

133.1

Slovakia

130.7

Portugal

126.3

Lithuania

117.9

Latvia

109.5

Estonia

71.8

Slovenia

50

Cyprus

17.6

Malta

11.2

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