The EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism are administered by the Financial Mechanism Office, which is affiliated to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Secretariat in Brussels. The FMO reports to the Financial Mechanism Committee (FMC) and to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively. The FMO is responsible for the day-to-day running of the two Mechanisms and serves as a contact point. The FMO cooperates with the National Focal Points in the Beneficiary States, to which applications should be submitted.

It is the beneficiary states that submit the project proposals. All proposals are first evaluated at the national level, by committees with representatives from a broad range of areas, and are then submitted by the National Focal Point to the FMO for appraisal. “The FMO contributes to quality assurance and may suggest improvements to the project and programme proposals. This ensures that the projects being funded have a high standard,” Director of the FMO Stine Andresen said.

In this process the FMO will maintain a close dialogue with the individual National Focal Points, which are the office’s counterparts in the respective country. Workshops, seminars and regular meetings are also arranged. Thus the office will be in almost constant contact with the 15 beneficiary states. The FMO currently consists of 38 employees and two trainees, for more information see the contact details on FMO staff.

For the guide for good administrative behaviour and working ethics of the FMO staff, please see the FMO Code of Conduct.

FMO vacancies will be listed on the EFTA Recruitment Site.