New EEA and Norway Grants agreement with Slovenia to strengthen women’s rights

‘I am pleased with the new agreement on the EEA and Norway Grants with Slovenia. The agreement lays the foundation for close and effective cooperation that will, among other things, strengthen local communities and women’s righs,’ said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. 

Through this funding, the countries will also cooperate on public health, sustainable communities and efforts to combat hate speech and disinformation. Norwegian institutions such as KS – the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities – and the Norwegian Directorate of Health will provide specialist expertise. 

The agreement was signed in Ljubljana by Norway’s Ambassador Vegard Kaale and Slovenia’s Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, Aleksander Jevšek. 

Around NOK 430 million, equivalent to approximately EUR 40 million, has been allocated to projects in Slovenia in the new funding period. Slovenia has received funding under the EEA and Norway Grants since it became a member of the EU in 2004. 

The EEA and Norway Grants represent Norway’s contribution to reducing social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthening cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary states. Fifteen countries qualify to receive funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme.  

Following the agreement with Slovenia, Hungary is the only country with which an agreement has yet to be signed. 

A separate fund has also been established to support civil society and is administered independently of the authorities. The civil fund in Slovenia was launched on 6 May.