New EEA and Norway Grants agreement with Romania: Contributing to the fight against disinformation

Press release | Date: 13/05/2026 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide today signed a new agreement on a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants with Romania. For the first time, measures to combat disinformation are included as part of the cooperation.

'I am pleased that we have signed a new agreement on the EEA and Norway Grants with Romania. Romania is an important partner and ally for Norway. In these troubled times, when democratic values and principles are under pressure, efforts to combat disinformation have become an increasingly important area of cooperation,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Through this funding, Norway will cooperate with Romania on, among other things, strengthening resilience against disinformation in both countries through cooperation between public institutions, specialist communities and civil society.

The agreement was signed in connection with the Foreign Minister's visit to Bucharest and the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit. Iceland and Liechtenstein also signed the agreement.

Second-largest recipient

Romania has received funding under the EEA and Norway Grants since it became a member of the EU in 2007. The country is the second-largest recipient in this funding period.

EUR 596.3 million has been allocated to Romania. Norway will provide around 97 per cent of the amount, while Iceland and Liechtenstein will finance the remainder. The funding period formally ends in 2028, but project funds may be disbursed up to the end of April 2031.

In addition to cooperation on democracy and disinformation, the funding will support broad cooperation in the justice and police sector, green transition, energy efficiency, as well as significant efforts through civil society. Measures to strengthen the fundamental rights of the Roma population and improve their living conditions are also included. In addition, around EUR 30 million has been earmarked for measures in Romania to help alleviate the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Two countries remain

The EEA and Norway Grants represent Norway's contribution to reducing social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthening cooperation with the beneficiary states. Fifteen countries qualify to receive funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme. Norway has signed agreements with 13 countries so far in this period. Slovenia and Hungary remain.

Agreements are concluded with each beneficiary country on which programmes are to be implemented and which partners are to cooperate in each country.

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