Norway signs agreement with Poland on EEA and Norway Grants

The agreement was signed in Warsaw. The EEA and Norway Grants are helping to build a green, democratic and resilient Europe.

‘Poland is a close ally and one of Norway’s most important European partners. When it comes to European security policy and continued support to Ukraine, Poland is an increasingly important voice in Europe, particularly now during its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Twelve Norwegian agencies are involved as partners in implementing the programmes, which will serve to strengthen cooperation between Norway and Poland in areas such as energy efficiency, the green transition, research, business, culture, democracy and the rule of law.

The agreement was signed in connection with the visit to Gdansk and Warsaw this week by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon.

‘This is the first and largest agreement on the EEA and Norway Grants that we are signing for this funding period. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with Poland,’ said Mr Eide.  

Seeking to reduce social and economic disparities 

The aim of Norway’s funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme is to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe. In addition, the scheme helps to enhance cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary states. Fifteen countries qualify to receive funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme. Poland receives the most funding of all the beneficiary states, 924,9 million euro.

Agreements are drawn up for each beneficiary country that set out a portfolio of programmes to be implemented and specify the partners that will cooperate on programme implementation. The agreement with Poland is the first agreement for the new funding period to be signed with a beneficiary country. Iceland and Liechtenstein also signed the agreement.

In addition to the individual agreements with each beneficiary state, a separate fund has been set up to support civil society in the beneficiary states. This funding is administered independently of the authorities in each individual country.