BRUSSELS (ChatnewsTV) — Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the European Union have signed an agreement establishing a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants, a program aimed at reducing social and economic disparities across Europe.
The agreement was formalized in Brussels today by Norway’s Ambassador to the EU, Anders Eide, alongside Iceland’s Ambassador to the EU, Kristján Andri Stefánsson, Liechtenstein’s Ambassador to the EU, Pascal Schafhauser, and Deputy Secretary-General John Watson from the EU.
“The EEA and Norway Grants are an important component of the cooperation between Norway and the EU. We will submit the agreement to the Storting for approval this autumn. We will then enter into individual agreements with each beneficiary country,” said Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide.
The EEA and Norway Grants focus on three main priorities: the green transition, democracy and human rights, and social inclusion. For the 2021-2028 period, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein have committed €3.268 billion to support 15 EU countries, with Norway providing approximately 97% of the funding. Notably, €183 million has been allocated to address the effects of Russia’s war on Ukraine in these beneficiary states.
“It is in Norway’s interests to ensure that democracy and respect for fundamental human rights remain strong across Europe,” said Eide. “It is also to Norway’s benefit to enable Europe as a whole to take part in the green transition that we all must undergo.”
The new funding agreement follows negotiations that began in June 2022 and concluded in November 2023. The Council of the EU approved the agreement in June 2024. Norway and its partners will now work to finalize individual agreements with each beneficiary country, ensuring targeted programs are implemented swiftly to maximize impact.
Beneficiary states include Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and several others, with Poland receiving the largest share of €924.9 million.
