Priority sectors
The EEA Grants will be available to the 12 most recent EU members plus Portugal, Greece and Spain, while the Norway Grants will be earmarked for the 12 newest members. The priority sectors will be environment and climate, health, research, education and culture, decent work and civil society, the judiciary and human resources. “The funding from Norway is targeted at areas where we can make a difference and that are in line with Norwegian and European interests. We intend to maintain a close dialogue with relevant Norwegian authorities on the development of the new programmes,” said the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a press release.
More focus on climate change
Around a quarter of the funds are to be used for renewed efforts to address environmental issues and climate change over the five-year period. In addition to NOK 2,6 billion (EUR 297 million) to address general environmental issues and climate change, around NOK 1.4 billion (EUR 160 million) is to be used for various efforts to develop and promote carbon capture and storage.
“We are entering into a critical phase in the global climate efforts, and we are pleased to have reached agreement with the EU on giving priority to climate change in the EEA cooperation with new member states,” said Mr Støre.
An important new element in the agreement is the focus on decent work. NOK 70 million (EUR 8 million) is to be transferred to a fund to promote decent work and tripartite dialogue, in line with the social partners’ wishes. A substantial sum will also be allocated for further efforts to strengthen civil society and for the health and research sectors.
The agreement on the new EEA Financial Mechanism follows on from the previous agreement, which ran from 2004 to 2009. More information about the EEA and Norway Grants can be found at: www.europaportalen.no and www.eeagrants.org