Norway

The grant support to Central and Southern Europe is important for achieving the aim of reducing social and economic disparities within the European Economic Area (EEA). It also provides a unique opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations. Around 20% of all projects under the EEA and Norway Grants 2004-2009 are implemented in cooperation between project promoters in the beneficiary states and partners in Norway.

The EEA Agreement is the cornerstone of relations between Norway and the EU, uniting the 27 EU member states and the three EEA EFTA states in an internal market governed by the same basic rules and with equal conditions of competition. Norway also participates in a range of EU programmes and initiatives such as in the field of research, education and culture, and is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

Norway is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which was created in 1960, and has been a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) since its establishment in 1994. The Norwegian people have twice rejected membership of the European Union in referendums, first in 1972 and again in 1994.