EEA Grants

The EEA Grants are Norway’s, Iceland’s and Liechtenstein’s contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Funding is provided to 15 beneficiary states in Central and Southern Europe within a variety of different sectors. A key priority of the EEA Grants it so strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the beneficiary and donor states at all levels.

In the current funding period more than 177 million EUR are provided to cultural entrepreneurship, cultural heritage and cultural cooperation programmes with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia. Several projects funded by these programmes will be implemented in cooperation between Norwegian and foreign cultural actors. Arts and Culture Norway cooperates with authorities in the beneficiary states on the development and implementation of several of these programmes. The Arts and Culture Norway is the national contact point for these programmes and provides guidance and information to Norwegian and foreign cultural actors on how to find suitable partner institutions. The EEA Grants also fund projects in the field of tangible cultural heritage such as e.g. the renovation and revitalisation of historical buildings. The Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage is the national contact point for these programs.

The Creative Europe programme 

Creative Europe is the EU’s largest and most important framework programme for the cultural and audiovisual sectors, involving 40 participating countries. Norway has taken part in the EU’s culture and media programmes since 1996, and is also participating in the current programme period for Creative Europe from 2021 to 2027.

The programme supports a wide range of European cooperation projects, networks, and platforms that provide added value. This offers Norwegian actors in TV, film, art, and culture new opportunities for funding, international collaboration, and reaching a broader European audience.

Creative Europe consists of a sub-programme for arts and culture (CULTURE), a sub-programme for TV, film, and games (MEDIA), as well as a cross-sectoral strand.

European Capitals of Culture are also part of Creative Europe. The programme strengthens the competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability of the cultural and creative sectors across Europe.

In Norway, the Arts and Culture Norway (Kulturdirektoratet) serves as the coordinating body and has a special responsibility for informing and guiding Norwegian stakeholders about the CULTURE sub-programme. The Norwegian Film Institute is responsible for informing and advising Norwegian stakeholders about the MEDIA sub-programme.

Europeana and CEF Digital

Norway participates in Europeana through the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility – Digital programme. 8,4 procent of the total Europeana content originates from Norway. Arts and Culture Norway is the national aggregator for Norwegian content.

Learn more: