One of the major successes of the previous funding round was the targeted support to civil society through dedicated programmes for non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Building on this success, NGO programmes are being set up in all 15 countries. The €147 million in dedicated funding from the EEA Grants represents an increase of over 70% compared to the previous period.
Today, Estonia became the first off the mark with the approval of their €2.3 million NGO programme. Programme operator Open Estonia Foundation may now prepare the first open call for project proposals from Estonian civil society. A launch event for the programme will take place in Tallinn on Tuesday 19 June.
Information about the timing of the call will be published on the website of Open Estonia Foundation and www.eeagrants.org as soon as this is available. While applicants need to be registered as NGOs in Estonia, entities from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may participate as project partners. Projects receiving support may be implemented until 2016.
Through the NGO programmes, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway aim to contribute in areas such as fostering active citizenship, increasing NGO-involvement in policy and decision-making processes, promoting human rights and empowering vulnerable groups. Social justice, democracy and sustainable development are in focus.
Photo: Open Estonia Foundation.