Cooperation across Europe

5 years into the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants 2004-09, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have taken stock of achieved results and efforts of the 1250 project portfolio. The 2010 Status Report highlights the cooperation taking place at project level between entities in the donor states and the 15 beneficiary states.

13.07.2010

"Given the importance of pooling ideas and resources at local, national or international level, this year’s Status Report focuses on cooperation", say the foreign ministers of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway in the report's editorial.

A major aim of the EEA and Norway Grants is to strengthen ties between the donor states and the beneficiary states. Cooperation between entities in the beneficiary states and the donor states is encouraged at the project level in areas where partnerships may be of mutual benefit. More than 1 in 5 projects are carried out in partnership with entities in one of the donor states.

In the 2010 Status Report, you can read about projects where cooperation plays a prominent role; within the fields of human resource development, conservation of European cultural heritage, health and childcare, civil society and environmental protection.

Strengthening cooperation
A large share of the partnership projects are within the fields of academic research, environmental protection and sustainable development. Among the projects featured in the report is a Polish-Norwegian effort to strengthen the Polish Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection's capacity to identify and contain industrial emissions. In Poland, 1500 local government employees also participate in a nationwide effort to increase the efficiency and transparency of public services.

In addition to nearly 320 partnership projects among the individual projects, hundreds of partnership projects are supported under the many funds and programmes managed at national level. One example is the Polish-Norwegian Research Fund, which is set up to establish and strengthen the cooperation between Polish and Norwegian researchers. Another example, also highlighted in the report, is the scholarships funds that provide scholarships to more than 2000 students and staff and financial support to over 400 cooperation projects between educational institutions in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the beneficiary states.

The countries with the largest numbers of partnership projects are Romania, Bulgaria, Portugal, Latvia and Hungary. In Romania and Bulgaria more than half of all EEA and Norway Grants projects are partnership projects. In Romania, Save the Children Norway and Save the Children Romania work together to establish a unique centre for children’s mental health care.

Photo credit: Střední škola hotelnictví a gastronomie SČMSD Praha, s.r.o.

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  • Highlights 2004-09
    • In the period 2004-09, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway made available €1.3 billion to 15 beneficiary states in Central and Southern Europe. 1250 projects, programmes and funds were awarded grants.
    • Close to 3400 projects are supported under the 71 funds and programmes managed at national level in the beneficiary states for groups such as NGOs, students and researchers.
    • Of the projects supported under the funds and programmes, more than 1860 projects are managed by civil society organizations under the funds for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 12 beneficiary states.
    • In the projects focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy, more than 350 public buildings, including schools and hospitals, are being renovated to reduce emissions of CO2 and other pollutants.
    • More than 56 000 public sector employees participate in capacity-building initiatives. Around 2000 students will participate in exchange programmes with the donor states and 150 PhDs are supported.
    • Refurbishment of hospitals, purchase of new technology and training of more than 9000 medical staff will increase the annual diagnosis and treatment capacity by health services with 213 000 patients per year.
    • 150 cultural heritage sites will be opened to the public following renovation works and more than 430 000 cultural artefacts are being restored and preserved for future generation.
    • More than 70 Schengen border crossings are being secured and international police cooperation is being strengthened to better prevent and combat cross-border crime.
 
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