About us

The European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to strengthening bilateral relations with the 15 beneficiary countries in Eastern and Southern Europe and the Baltic states.

These financial mechanisms are based on the European Economic Area Agreement which reunites the EU member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as equal partners in the internal market.

In total, the three countries have provided €3.3 billion through consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014. A further €2.8 billion has been made available in the 2014-2021 funding period. The EEA grants are jointly funded by all the three donors, while the Norway Grants are funded exclusively by Norway and are available in the 13 countries having joined the EU after 2003.

Funding is channelled through financing programmes, under specific priority sectors, while the areas, objectives and expected results are established with each beneficiary country.

For more details on the EEA and Norway Grants see www.eeagrants.org, www.norwaygrants.org and data.eeagrants.org.

EEA and Norway Grants in Romania

The cooperation between Romania and the European Economic Area (EEA) countries started after the accession of Romania to the European Union on January 1, 2007, Romania becoming part to the EEA Agreement on July 25, 2007.

Thus, Romania was granted €906 million, for three financing periods:

• 2007-2009 - €98.5 million, funding 69 projects in areas such as environment, health, cultural heritage, with the absorption rate of 88%.
• 2009-2014 - €305.95 million, funding 830 projects in 22 financing programmes, ending in December 2017. For more details on the results obtained, see here.
• 2014-2021 – €502 million allocated to 12 financing programmes (in progress).

EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021

Based on the Memorandums of Understanding signed on October 13, 2016 between the Government of Romania and the Donor States, in the period 2018-2024 funding will be provided under 12 financing programmes established in the areas:

• local development, reduction of poverty, Roma inclusion, children and youth at risk, human rights
• renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy security
• business development, innovation and SMEs
• public health
• research
• cultural heritage, cultural entrepreneurship and cultural cooperation
• justice, correctional services, fighting domestic and gender-based violence
• home affairs, police cooperation and combating crime
• education, scholarships, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship for youth
• social dialogue and decent work
• active citizens – civil society
• environment and climate change

At the same time, the Fund for Bilateral Relations funds initiatives of strengthening bilateral relations between the donor states and Romania.

EEA and Norway Grants management

National Focal Point

• Responsible entity at national level for the general coordination of Programmes, implementing the Memorandums of Understanding and achieving the results.
• Designated under the General Directorate for Non-Reimbursable Financial Mechanisms and Instruments (DGMIFEN) in the Ministry of Investments and European Projects.

Programme Operators

• Public institutions or authorities responsible for the development and implementation of the Programmes, as well as for the organization of the calls for projects, signature of financing agreements, verification of the accuracy of project implementation, monitoring projects and results.
• Designated among the public authorities in the programme area or among other relevant organizations.

Donor Programme Partners

• Public institutions or authorities in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein involved, together with the Programme Operators, in the development and implementation of the programmes, as well as in supporting the creation of project partnerships between organizations in Romania and the donor states.

Partner International Organizations

• International organizations (such as the Council of Europe) involved, together with the Programme Operators, in the development and implementation of the programmes.