EEA and Norway Grants Reducing disparities Strengthening relations Bjarni Vestmann, Head of...
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Transcript of EEA and Norway Grants Reducing disparities Strengthening relations Bjarni Vestmann, Head of...
EEA and Norway Grants
Reducing disparities Strengthening relations
Bjarni Vestmann, Head of Communication
February 2015
EEA Agreement
Article 115
…With a view to promoting a continuous and balanced strengthening of trade and economic relations between the Contracting Parties agree on the need to reduce the economic and social disparities between their regions…
Why we do it
The 3 donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the EEA Agreement
•We are partners in the internal market
•We share European values, such as democracy and tolerance
•We are helping to address the economic, political and social challenges facing Europe
•Strengthen relations between donor and beneficiary states
Contribution ---- Solidarity ---- Engagement
What we do
Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to
• reducing economic and social disparities
• strengthening bilateral relations
…..with 16 beneficiary countries in central and southern Europe
16 beneficiary countries
150
programmes
Target specific needs
Support capacity building
Exchange skills and knowledge
€1.8 billion
2009-2014
GDP per person (PPS)EU-28=100 (2012)
Norway 195Iceland 112
…Latvia 62Romania 49Bulgaria 47
Economic disparities
Human developmentUNDP Index – world ranking (2014)
Norway 1Iceland 13Liechtenstein 18
Slovenia 25Poland 35Bulgaria 58
Social disparities
Mutual benefits
•Creates stronger bonds which increase opportunities for trade and investment
•Cements ties which will ensure beyond the funding at political, institutional, cultural and educational level
•Strengthens cooperation to serve in the fight against crime
…..works to the benefit of all
Funding by country
Funding by sector
EEA Norway Grants 2009-14
Programmes
Projects
Reduction of economic and
social disparities in the European Economic Area
Strengthen bilateral relations
between the Donor States and the
Beneficiary States
finances
composed of
OVERALL OBJECTIVES
Programmes
Organisational structure
Project PartnerProject Partner
Donor Programme
Partner
Donor Programme
Partner
FMOFMO
National Focal Points
National Focal Points
Programme Operator
Programme Operator
Project Promoter
Project Promoter
EmbassiesEmbassies
Donor StatesDonor States
Who we are
Financial Mechanism Office
•Manages the EEA and Norway Grants on behalf of the donors (the Financial Mechanisms)
•Administratively part of EFTA
•Reports to the Foreign Ministries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
•Oversees implementation in 16 beneficiary countries
GREEN FOCUS
Around 1/3 to environment and climate change
• Renewable energy• Energy efficiency• Climate change• Green innovation• Research and innovation• Biodiversity
Green industry innovation is a new
sector. €120 million to business development in
cooperation with Norwegian SMEs.
BG, EE, HU, LV, LT, RO, SK, PL.
CIVIL SOCIETY
NGO funds in all 16 countries - €158 million
• Democracy and good governance
• Human rights • Anti-discrimination• Social justice• Sustainable development
Improving the situation for the Roma population is a focus of NGO funds
in a number of countries.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Research cooperation and educational exchange
• Research cooperation• Application of research• Educational cooperation• Student mobility• Staff mobility
Bilateral cooperation is key to the programmes
on research and education.
SOCIAL WELFARE
Protecting and assisting vulnerable groups
• Improve capacity• Improve systems• Equal access to health• Protecting vulnerable groups
Improved care for children, youth and various vulnerable
groups is important in many programmes and
countries.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
Fighting crime and improving the judiciary system
• Police cooperation• Access to justice• Efficient judiciary• Better prisons• Fight human trafficking
Fighting cross-border and organised crime,
and improving correctional services,
including non-custodial sanctions
CULTURE AND DIVERSITY
Protecting heritage andpromoting cultural dialogue
• Restore cultural heritage• Improve access to culture• Preserve traditional skills• Promote cultural diversity• Cooperation and dialogue
Encouraging cooperation and dialogue between
cultural institutions is an important aspect of the culture programmes.
Bilateral Cooperation
More than half of the 150 programmes have Donor ProgrammePartners (DPPs) – public bodies – from Iceland, Liechtenstein andNorway involved as advisers in programme planning and implementation.
Funds are set aside atnational and programmelevels in all beneficiarycountries to developcooperation and activitieswith the donor countriesand facilitate partnerships.
DPPs‘ role
DPPs are involved in:•Development of strategy and design of programme•Review progress and needs for amendments•Monitoring and outreach activities•Study tours, technical seminars etc.•Facilitate networking between programme operator and potential project promoters and/or project partners from the donor countries
To achieve the overall objective of strengthenedbilateral relations, all programmes should encourageestablishment of donor partnership projects.
Characteristics
• Accessible funding
• Complements EU funds
• Flexible
• Popular
• Visible
International cooperation• Council of Europe (CoE): Provides strategic advice as well as technical input and know-how on human rights, democracy and rule of law.
• EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA): Engage on issues such as Roma inclousion and hate crime.
• Transparency International (TI): Expertise in assessing curruption risks.
• Open Society Foundation (OSF): Advice on Roma issues with in NGO programmes.
• EU Commission, DG Regional and Urban Policy:Consultations and exchange of information.
Website
Project portal
Image bank
www.eeagrants.org
www.facebook.com/EEANorwayGrantswww.twitter.com/EEANorwayGrants
www.youtube.com/EEANorwayGrants