Bogdan Kotyk Bekhzod Melikov European Economic Area Grants September 2007, Bratislava

European Economic Area WHEN? the agreement on EEA signed in May 1992 entered into force on 1 January 1994 WHO? created by then EC and EFTA member states today: 28 states WHY? the wish of the Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - to participate in the Internal Market

DONOR STATES € 1.17 billion available over the period to 15 beneficiary states Norway - largest donor 95 percent of the funding EEA Grants were formally established in May 2004

Beneficiary States

Priority Sectors

In total, the financial mechanisms will make € 1.17 billion available over the period Through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, Norway will make an additional €567 million available to the 10 countries that joined the EU and the EEA in 2004 Both mechanisms run over a five-year period until 2009

THE EEA GRANTS The philosophy guiding this contribution is based on the values of solidarity, opportunity and cooperation: A Europe of equals will spur sustainable economic and social development; a Europe of disparities will not. AIM  to reduce social and economic disparities within the EEA  to enable all EEA countries to participate fully in the Internal Market.

Openness and availability are fundamental principles of the EEA Grants Eligible applicants All public and private actors Non-Governmental Organisations Other civil society organisations

Maximal contribution of the donor 60% of the total eligible project cost, but may be extended to up to 85% if the applicant has secured at least 15% co-financing from a government budget allocation NGOs may receive a grant rate of up to 90% of total eligible project costs, the application is submitted within one of the priority sectors that are common to both financial mechanisms.

ALLOCATIONS PER BENEFICIARY STATE While some beneficiary states have concluded their planned calls for proposals already, most have one final round to go before the end of the commitment period in April 2009

Year in brief more than 40 block grants or ‘funds’ will be established Spring 2007 was an especially busy period for the block grants under the EEA Grants The funds will be administered by national intermediaries to reflect the individual needs and requirements in each beneficiary state The research funds in Slovakia and Poland are the first to become operational after being approved by the donor states in February already approved funds have just been made operational or are about to be launched Scholarship schemes supported by the EEA Grants will be set up in eleven beneficiary states for a total value of around €25 million

Beneficiary state overview: SLOVAKIA €5.9 million NGO fund with three focus areas  Sustainable development  Human rights  Social issues Approved research funds  Nanotechnology  Sustainable development  Renewable energy sources  biotechnology and food. A seed money fund was found in spring 2007

Implementation of Czech schools and scholarship fund €2.8 million fund The goal of providing equal opportunities is an important principle of the fund For the first time there are Czech students studying in Iceland and Liechtenstein The deadline–15th May 2007 the first school and scholarship fund to become operational Altogether, scholarship funds are planned in 11 beneficiary states at a total value of around €25 million

REFERENCES  The European Economic Area (EEA)  EEA Grants EEA Grants  The EEA Grants Status Report May 2007  Daniel Lešík, Veronika Tencerová Power Point Presentation ns_students/EEA_lesik_tencerova.ppt  Wikipedia

Thank you for your attention