EEA and Norway Grants Reducing disparities Strengthening relations Bjarni Vestmann, Head of Communication February 2015

EEA Agreement Article 115 …With a view to promoting a continuous and balanced strengthening of trade and economic relations between the Contracting Parties agree on the need to reduce the economic and social disparities between their regions…

Why we do it The 3 donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the EEA Agreement We are partners in the internal market We share European values, such as democracy and tolerance We are helping to address the economic, political and social challenges facing Europe Strengthen relations between donor and beneficiary states Contribution ---- Solidarity ---- Engagement

What we do Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to reducing economic and social disparities strengthening bilateral relations …..with 16 beneficiary countries in central and southern Europe

16 beneficiary countries 150 programmes Target specific needs Support capacity building Exchange skills and knowledge €1.8 billion

GDP per person (PPS) EU-28=100 (2012) Norway195 Iceland112 … Latvia62 Romania49 Bulgaria 47 Economic disparities

Human development UNDP Index – world ranking (2014) Norway1 Iceland13 Liechtenstein18 Slovenia25 Poland35 Bulgaria58 Social disparities

Mutual benefits Creates stronger bonds which increase opportunities for trade and investment Cements ties which will ensure beyond the funding at political, institutional, cultural and educational level Strengthens cooperation to serve in the fight against crime …..works to the benefit of all

Funding by country

Funding by sector

EEA Norway Grants Programmes Projects Reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area Strengthen bilateral relations between the Donor States and the Beneficiary States finances composed of OVERALL OBJECTIVES Programmes

Organisational structure Project Partner Donor Programme Partner FMO National Focal Points Programme Operator Project Promoter Embassies Donor States

Who we are Financial Mechanism Office Manages the EEA and Norway Grants on behalf of the donors (the Financial Mechanisms) Administratively part of EFTA Reports to the Foreign Ministries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway Oversees implementation in 16 beneficiary countries

GREEN FOCUS Around 1/3 to environment and climate change Renewable energy Energy efficiency Climate change Green innovation Research and innovation Biodiversity Green industry innovation is a new sector. €120 million to business development in cooperation with Norwegian SMEs. BG, EE, HU, LV, LT, RO, SK, PL.

CIVIL SOCIETY NGO funds in all 16 countries - €158 million Democracy and good governance Human rights Anti-discrimination Social justice Sustainable development Improving the situation for the Roma population is a focus of NGO funds in a number of countries.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Research cooperation and educational exchange Research cooperation Application of research Educational cooperation Student mobility Staff mobility Bilateral cooperation is key to the programmes on research and education.

SOCIAL WELFARE Protecting and assisting vulnerable groups Improve capacity Improve systems Equal access to health Protecting vulnerable groups Improved care for children, youth and various vulnerable groups is important in many programmes and countries.

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Fighting crime and improving the judiciary system Police cooperation Access to justice Efficient judiciary Better prisons Fight human trafficking Fighting cross-border and organised crime, and improving correctional services, including non-custodial sanctions

CULTURE AND DIVERSITY Protecting heritage and promoting cultural dialogue Restore cultural heritage Improve access to culture Preserve traditional skills Promote cultural diversity Cooperation and dialogue Encouraging cooperation and dialogue between cultural institutions is an important aspect of the culture programmes.

Bilateral Cooperation More than half of the 150 programmes have Donor Programme Partners (DPPs) – public bodies – from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway involved as advisers in programme planning and implementation. Funds are set aside at national and programme levels in all beneficiary countries to develop cooperation and activities with the donor countries and facilitate partnerships.

DPPs‘ role DPPs are involved in: Development of strategy and design of programme Review progress and needs for amendments Monitoring and outreach activities Study tours, technical seminars etc. Facilitate networking between programme operator and potential project promoters and/or project partners from the donor countries To achieve the overall objective of strengthened bilateral relations, all programmes should encourage establishment of donor partnership projects.

Characteristics Accessible funding Complements EU funds Flexible Popular Visible

International cooperation Council of Europe (CoE): Provides strategic advice as well as technical input and know-how on human rights, democracy and rule of law. EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA): Engage on issues such as Roma inclousion and hate crime. Transparency International (TI): Expertise in assessing curruption risks. Open Society Foundation (OSF): Advice on Roma issues with in NGO programmes. EU Commission, DG Regional and Urban Policy: Consultations and exchange of information.

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