Norway Grants
The general objective of the EEA and Norway Grants is to reduce socioeconomic disparities in Europe and to strengthen bilateral relations between the Czech Republic, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Beneficiaries of financial support include countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The Czech Republic has been a beneficiary of financial support since 2004 when it joined the European Union and hence the European Economic Area.
Since 2004, the EEA and Norway Grants have funded a wide range of interesting projects worth more than CZK 6 billion. Currently, the Czech Republic is the fifth largest beneficiary, after Poland, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.
EEA and Norway Grants
The Memoranda of Understanding were solemnly signed on 4 September 2017 at the convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia, which marked the start of the third programming period of the EEA and Norway Grants. In this period, the Czech Republic will receive EUR 184.5 million (approx. CZK 5 billion). Support will be provided to projects focused primarily on science and research, environmental protection, cultural heritage and cultural cooperation, public health, education and cooperation in justice and home affairs. Great emphasis is placed on human rights, Roma inclusion and the development of social society. The new programming period also offers great opportunities for bilateral projects and activities. The main administrator of the EEA/Norway Financial Mechanism in the Czech Republic is the Ministry of Finance, which acts as the National Focal Point. Programme Operators are responsible for the preparation and implementation of the grant programmes.
Current Information
The Ministry of Interior was designated as the Programme Operator of the Home Affairs Programme. Following the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding (on 4 September 2017), the Programme has been intensively prepared. In October 2017, a Stakeholder Consultation Meeting organized by the Department of Structural Funds was held in cooperation with the Financial Mechanism Office, National Focal Point and relevant partners. The main problems and needs to be addressed by the Programme were defined. Subsequently, a Programme Concept Note was elaborated and approved by the donor in June 2018. The final stage of the preparation of the Draft Programme, which will be completed by the signing of the Programme Agreement, is currently underway.
Questions
For any questions, please contact osf@mvcr.cz.