Bilde fra undertegnelsen
Alternate Minister of Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis and Norwegian Ambassador to Greece Harriet E. Berg. Credit: MFA

The agreement marks the start of a new period of funding for activities in Greece. Under the EEA and Norway Grants, Norway and Greece will be cooperating in the areas of the green transition, innovation and business development, asylum and migration management, local development and civil society.

‘At a time when we are facing many shared challenges, it is important to strengthen our partnerships. The new agreement with Greece builds on the already constructive cooperation between our two countries. Our joint efforts under the EEA and Norway Grants will enhance our ability to deliver green solutions, manage migration and support local communities. This is important not just for Greece but also for European cooperation in general,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Norwegian Ambassador to Greece Harriet E. Berg signed the agreement in Greece on behalf of Norway. Alternate Minister of Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis signed on behalf of Greece.

Approximately NOK 1.78 billion (EUR 159.3 million) has been allocated to Greece for the current period. Norway will provide around 94 % of that amount. The remainder will be provided by Iceland and Liechtenstein. The funding period formally ends in 2028, but project funds may be disbursed up to the end of April 2031.

The Norwegian programme partners are the Norwegian Environment Agency, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, the National Police Directorate, Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS). These partnerships serve to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Norway and Greece.

Reducing 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.

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. 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. A fund operator has been appointed in Greece.