Frequently Asked Questions 09-14

What are the EEA and Norway Grants?
The EEA and Norway Grants are the financial contributions of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway towards the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to strengthen bilateral relations between the donor states and the beneficiary states.The EEA Grants are funded jointly by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, while the Norway Grants are funded only by Norway.

What will be supported?
According to the Agreed Minutes, The EEA and Norway Grants 2009-14 will support activities within the following priority sectors: Environmental protection and management; climate change and renewable energy; carbon capture and storage (CCS); green industry innovation; research and scholarship; protection of cultural heritage; civil society; promotion of decent work and tripartite dialogue; justice and home affairs; and human and social development.

Which countries are eligible for support?
15 beneficiary states in Central and Southern Europe are eligible for support under the EEA Grants in the period 2009-14: the 12 newest EU member states, Greece, Portugal and Spain. Only the 12 newest EU member states are eligible for support under the Norway Grants.

How large is the financial contribution?
The three donor states will provide €357.7 million per year or a total sum of almost €1.79 billion in the 5 year period. The EEA Grants will make available annual tranches of €197.7 million, while the Norway Grants will make available annual tranches of €160 million.Norway will provide 97% of the total funding. The annual contributions, listed by beneficiary state and in descending order, will be:

*) Spain will receive transitional support in the period 1 May 2009 – 31 December 2013.

How will the EEA and Norway Grants 2009-14 be made available?
The grant schemes will be administered according to a programming framework model. This means that programmes will be established under the various priority sectors in the beneficiary states. Funds will be channelled through these programmes.

Who can apply for support?
Public and private sector bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) may apply for support, provided that they are registered as legal entities in the beneficiary state and that they are operating in the public interest. Applicants may be national, regional and local authorities, education and research institutions, environmental groups, voluntary and community organisations, public-private partnerships, etc. All projects that receive funding must be carried out in accordance with EU rules governing public procurement and state aid.

Are partnerships with entities in the donor states possible?
The EEA and Norway Grants 2009-2014 have as an overall goal to contribute to the strengthening of the relations between the donor states and the beneficiary states. Partnerships between entities from the beneficiary states and entities from the donor states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, shall, where appropriate, be applied in the preparation and implementation of the grants schemes. This opens up for cooperation at both programme and project level.

When will the EEA and Norway Grants 2009-14 be launched?
When the new agreements have been formally signed, the donor states will draw up a legal framework for the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants 2009-14, based on experience with the previous grant schemes and after consultation with the beneficiary states. When this has been done, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will conduct negotiations with the respective beneficiary states on which programmes are to be established, culminating in the signing of individual Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Programmes are expected to be launched from 2011 onwards.

How can I keep myself informed about developments?
Information will be published at the website www.eeagrants.org where you can also sign up for the monthly EEA and Norway Grants newsletter. If you have additional questions, please send them to info-fmo@efta.int.

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